Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup
Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup delivers the flavor of Italy in every spoonful. This recipe solves the problem of bland, boring soups. After making this many times, I know the best way to get a rich, full-bodied taste. The creamy texture and deep flavor make it a cozy meal. Try this with my Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Pasta. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Pasta and Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup.
Why This Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup Is Pure Comfort
- Cozy comfort
- Simple ingredients
- Family favorite
- Quick meal
What You'll Need for Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb Italian sausage links
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup diced carrot
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Crusty bread
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Italian sausage: Use sweet or spicy based on your preference.
- Kale: Wash and chop before adding to the pot.
- Tomato paste: Adds depth and richness to the soup.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-Stick Dutch Oven — Ensures even cooking and prevents sticking. → See on Amazon
- Digital Thermometer — Helps cook the sausage to the perfect temperature. → See on Amazon
How to Make Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup
- Brown Sausage: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage links and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: In the same pot, add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Simmer Soup: Return sausage to the pot. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Add Kale: Stir in chopped kale. Cook for 10 more minutes until tender.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup
- Serving suggestion: Serve with a slice of crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Common mistake and fix: If the soup is too thick, add more broth until desired consistency is reached.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Variation: Add a splash of white wine for extra flavor.
Storing & Reheating Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made 2 days ahead and reheated.
Freezing Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup
Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For deeper flavor, let the soup simmer for 30 minutes before adding the kale.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale with spinach if preferred.
- Make-ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day.
- Scaling: Double the recipe for a larger batch.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too salty, add a bit more broth to dilute it.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast Iron Skillet — Provides even heat distribution and enhances the flavor of the soup. → Check price on Amazon
Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage links
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup diced carrot
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Brown Sausage: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage links and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: In the same pot, add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Simmer Soup: Return sausage to the pot. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Add Kale: Stir in chopped kale. Cook for 10 more minutes until tender.
Notes
- Chef tip: For deeper flavor, let the soup simmer for 30 minutes before adding the kale.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale with spinach if preferred.
- Make-ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day.
- Scaling: Double the recipe for a larger batch.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too salty, add a bit more broth to dilute it.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Make ahead: Can be made 2 days ahead and reheated.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup FAQs
Yes, this soup can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
If the soup is too thin, reduce the broth by simmering longer or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it.
Yes, brown the sausage and sauté the veggies, then transfer to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6–8 hours.
Replace the sausage with cooked ground beef or add more vegetables for a meat-free version.
Yes, you can freeze this soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Hearty Italian Sausage & Kale Soup and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
