Ingredients
Sausage and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium white onion, peeled and diced
Vegetables and Broth
- 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
- 5 to 6 cups chicken stock
- 2 to 3 cups chopped fresh kale
Cream and Seasoning
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 6 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat a large stockpot over medium-high heat and cook the Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate, reserving 1 tablespoon of the grease in the pot, and discard the rest of the excess grease. Optionally rinse the cooked sausage briefly in a strainer to remove additional grease. Set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same stockpot with the reserved grease, add diced onions and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until translucent. Then add minced garlic and sauté for another minute, stirring to avoid burning.
- Simmer Potatoes and Sausage: Add diced Yukon Gold potatoes, chicken stock, and the cooked Italian sausage back into the stockpot. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 10 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Add Kale and Cream: Stir in the chopped fresh kale and heavy cream into the soup. Continue simmering for an additional 5 minutes to allow the kale to soften and the flavors to meld. Season the soup with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls while warm. Garnish each serving with crumbled cooked bacon for an added smoky crunch. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute kale with spinach if preferred, but kale adds a nice texture and flavor.
- For a lower fat version, use turkey sausage and reduce or omit the heavy cream.
- If you want a thicker soup, mash some of the cooked potatoes before adding the cream.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop.
- Use freshly cooked bacon for garnish to add a smoky depth and crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American