Kale and Sausage Soup

Hot Italian sausage adds a spicy kick to this hearty kale and sausage soup recipe with red potatoes, fresh mushrooms, onions, herbs, and half-and-half.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 352 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 large onion, chopped
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 pound fresh mushrooms, quartered
• 2 cups water, or more as needed
• 5 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried sage, or more to taste
• 1 pound ground hot Italian sausage
• 4 red potatoes, or more to taste, chopped
• 1 large bunch kale, stems removed and chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Melt butter in a stockpot over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour; stir until paste-like and light golden brown, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and water; bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, and sage; cook until thickened and onion is tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Step 3

Add sausage, potatoes, kale, and mushrooms to the pot; simmer until potatoes are tender, about 45 minutes. Stir in half-and-half; season with salt and black pepper.