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Sausage Kale Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 53 reviews

A hearty and comforting Sausage Kale Soup featuring Italian sausage, crispy bacon, tender cauliflower, and fresh kale simmered in a creamy chicken broth base. This nutritious, savory soup is pureed to a smooth texture and perfect for cozy meals any day of the year.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Oils

  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 12 oz. mild Italian sausage, casing removed
  • 3 slices bacon, chopped

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 1/4 pounds)
  • 4 cups chopped curly kale

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 1 (32 oz.) carton chicken broth
  • 1 cup half and half
  • Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook Meat: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-duty soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and chopped bacon. Cook, breaking up the sausage, until the sausage is browned and the bacon is crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the cooked meat with a slotted spoon onto a plate, leaving 2 tablespoons of fat in the pot.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onions to the pot and cook until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  3. Add Cauliflower and Broth: Stir in the cauliflower florets and pour in the chicken broth. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender.
  4. Puree Soup: Use a high-powered blender or an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Be careful when blending hot liquids.
  5. Add Dairy and Greens: Return the pureed soup to the pot if removed, then stir in the half and half. Gently bring the soup back to a simmer. Add the reserved sausage, bacon, and chopped kale. Simmer until the kale is wilted and tender, about 5 minutes.
  6. Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with an optional sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

Notes

  • For a spicier soup, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch during cooking.
  • Fresh kale can be substituted with other sturdy greens such as Swiss chard or collard greens.
  • Use low-fat half and half or milk to reduce the soup’s fat content.
  • The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • To keep the texture rustic, pulse the soup in the blender instead of fully pureeing it.

Keywords: sausage kale soup, creamy cauliflower soup, Italian sausage soup, healthy kale soup, comforting soup recipe, easy stovetop soup

Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/sausage-kale-soup-recipe/