Description
Hearty zesty italian sausage and kale soup delivers rich, comforting flavors from Italian culinary traditions. Home cooks can savor this nourishing one-pot meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to winter dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage
- 4 large russet potatoes, sliced thin
- 2 cups (80 g) kale, chopped
- 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
- 3 cups (710 ml) water
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- ½ tsp (2.5 g) crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sear Sausage: Over medium heat, brown Italian sausage in a large pot, breaking meat into crumbles until achieving a golden exterior and releasing rich, savory drippings.
- Build Foundation: Utilize sausage fat to sauté onions until translucent, then add garlic, creating an aromatic base that infuses depth into the soup’s essence.
- Liquid Landscape: Pour chicken broth and water into the pot, introducing sliced potatoes and simmering until vegetables become tender and soft, absorbing surrounding flavors.
- Integrate Components: Return seared sausage to the simmering liquid, gently fold in chopped kale leaves, allowing them to wilt and meld seamlessly with the soup’s robust character.
- Enhance Complexity: Stream heavy cream into the mixture, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes to introduce a subtle heat, creating a luxurious and multi-dimensional flavor profile.
- Season and Finish: Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring a harmonious balance that elevates every spoonful.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle hot soup into bowls, optionally crown with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and an extra pinch of red pepper flakes for visual and gustatory appeal.
Notes
- Sear Sausage Perfectly: Brown meat thoroughly for maximum flavor development, ensuring golden-brown edges that unlock deep, rich taste profiles.
- Potato Tenderness Tip: Cut potatoes uniformly to guarantee even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Cream Integration Technique: Add heavy cream at the end and avoid boiling to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, silky texture.
- Kale Wilting Strategy: Tear kale leaves into bite-sized pieces and add near the end of cooking to preserve nutrients and prevent overcooking, maintaining vibrant green color and tender texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg