Name: Amazing Sausage and Kale Soup Recipe in Just 40 Minutes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients: 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 cups chopped carrots; 2 stalks celery, chopped; 8 cups chicken broth or bone broth; 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste; 4 cups chopped kale; 1 pound ground sausage, I used sweet Italian sausage; parmesan cheese, for serving, optional

Jump to Recipe

Okay, let’s talk soup! Specifically, *sausage and kale soup*. It’s one of those meals that just screams “comfort food,” you know? I’ve been making this soup for years, tweaking it here and there until it’s just *perfect*. My family begs for it, especially when the weather gets chilly. And honestly? It’s so easy, even on the busiest weeknights, I can whip up a big batch. I remember when I first started making soup, I was so intimidated! But trust me, this recipe is foolproof. The best part? It’s packed with flavor and good-for-you stuff. Seriously, this hearty sausage and kale soup is a total winner. It’s been my go to recipe for years and I’m so excited to share it with you!

Why You’ll Love This Sausage and Kale Soup

Quick and Easy Sausage and Kale Soup

Seriously, who has time to spend hours in the kitchen these days? Not me! That’s why I *love* this sausage and kale soup. From start to finish, you’re looking at maybe 40 minutes, tops. And most of that is just letting it simmer and do its thing. Perfect for those crazy weeknights when you just want something yummy without a ton of fuss.

Flavorful and Hearty Sausage and Kale Soup

Okay, let’s talk flavor. The sweet Italian sausage gives it this amazing richness, and the kale adds a slight earthy bitterness that balances it perfectly. The carrots and celery? They just melt into the broth, making it so comforting and satisfying. And the smell! Oh my gosh, your kitchen will smell incredible. Trust me, this isn’t some bland, boring soup. This is a flavor explosion in a bowl!

Healthy and Nutritious Sausage and Kale Soup

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good cheesy, creamy soup as much as the next person. But it’s nice to have something that’s both delicious *and* good for you, right? Kale is a nutritional powerhouse! It’s packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Plus, the sausage adds protein to keep you full and satisfied. So, you can feel good about serving this soup to your family.

One-Pot Sausage and Kale Soup

My absolute *favorite* part about this soup? It’s a one-pot wonder! That means less cleanup! Hallelujah! Everything cooks together in the same pot, so you don’t have a million dishes to wash afterwards. Just dump, stir, simmer, and serve. Easy peasy!

Sausage and Kale Soup Ingredients

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing sausage and kale soup. Don’t worry, it’s mostly stuff you probably already have on hand. And I’ll give you some sneaky swaps in a bit, just in case!

1 pound ground sweet Italian sausage (trust me on the sweet Italian, it’s the best!)
3 cloves garlic, minced (I’m a garlic girl, so I sometimes add even more!)
1 large onion, chopped (yellow or white, whatever you’ve got)
2 cups chopped carrots (baby carrots work in a pinch, just chop ’em up!)
2 stalks celery, chopped
8 cups chicken broth or bone broth (I usually use low-sodium)
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste (always taste and adjust!)
4 cups chopped kale (curly or Tuscan, both are great!)
Parmesan cheese, for serving, optional (but highly recommended!)

sausage and kale soup cropped - detail 1

Ingredient Notes for Sausage and Kale Soup

Okay, so a few little notes on the ingredients… First off, the sausage. I *love* sweet Italian sausage in this soup. It just adds this amazing flavor. But, if you’re not a fan, you can totally use mild Italian sausage or even spicy Italian sausage if you’re feeling adventurous! Ground turkey or chicken sausage works too, if you’re trying to keep it lighter.

For the broth, chicken broth is my go-to, but vegetable broth is a great option if you want to keep it vegetarian. Bone broth is also fantastic for extra nutrients and flavor! And if you don’t have fresh kale, frozen kale works just fine. Just make sure to thaw it and squeeze out the excess water before adding it to the soup. Easy peasy!

How to Make Sausage and Kale Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Sausage for Sausage and Kale Soup

Alright, first things first, let’s get that sausage cooked up! Grab your large pot or Dutch oven – the same one you’ll be making the whole soup in – and put it over medium heat. Toss in your ground sausage and start breaking it up with a spoon. You’ll want to cook it until it’s nice and brown. Once it’s cooked through, use a slotted spoon to scoop it out and put it on a plate lined with paper towels. This gets rid of some of that extra grease. Now, drain most of the fat from the pot, but leave about a tablespoon – that’s where all the flavor is!

Sautéing the Vegetables for Sausage and Kale Soup

Now for the veggies! Add your minced garlic, chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with that reserved sausage-y fat. Sprinkle in about 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt. Sauté everything for about 7-10 minutes, until the onions are translucent and smell amazing. Stir it every so often, so nothing sticks or burns. This step is *key* for building flavor, so don’t rush it!

Simmering the Sausage and Kale Soup

Time to bring it all together! Pour in your chicken broth (or bone broth, yum!), add the ground pepper, and then toss that cooked sausage back into the pot. Crank up the heat and bring the soup to a boil. Once it’s boiling, turn the heat down to low so it’s just simmering gently. Let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes, or until the veggies are nice and tender. About 10 minutes before you’re ready to serve, stir in your chopped kale. It’ll wilt down pretty quickly.

Serving Your Sausage and Kale Soup

Almost there! Once the kale has wilted and the veggies are tender, give the soup a taste. Add more salt and pepper if it needs it. Remember, taste as you go! Then, ladle the soup into bowls and top with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, if you’re feeling fancy (and you should be!). And that’s it! Time to dig in and enjoy your delicious, homemade sausage and kale soup!

Tips for the Best Sausage and Kale Soup

Okay, so you’ve got the basics down, but here are a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years to make this sausage and kale soup *extra* amazing. These are my “secret weapons,” if you will!

Don’t overcook the kale! Seriously, nobody likes mushy kale. Add it during the last 10 minutes of cooking, just until it wilts. That way, it’ll still have a little bit of texture.
Use high-quality sausage. It really makes a difference! I always splurge on the good stuff from my local butcher. You can really taste the difference.
Taste and adjust! I know I already said this, but it’s so important! Every broth is different, so you might need more or less salt and pepper. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
A squeeze of lemon juice brightens everything up! Just a little bit at the end adds a nice zing.
Let it simmer longer for even more flavor! If you have the time, let the soup simmer for an hour or even longer. The flavors will meld together and become even richer.
Don’t skip the parmesan! It adds a salty, cheesy goodness that takes this soup to the next level. Seriously, don’t skip it!

sausage and kale soup cropped - detail 2

Sausage and Kale Soup Variations

Alright, so you’ve nailed the basic sausage and kale soup recipe. Awesome! But what if you want to mix things up a little? No problem! This recipe is super versatile, and there are tons of ways to customize it to your liking. Here are a few of my favorite variations:

Add some beans! Cannellini beans, kidney beans, or even chickpeas would be delicious in this soup. Just toss them in during the last 15 minutes of cooking so they can heat through. About a cup or so should do the trick!
Spice it up! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick. Or, use spicy Italian sausage instead of sweet. Careful, it’s addictive!
Go green! Spinach, Swiss chard, or even collard greens would be great substitutes for the kale. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as some greens take longer to wilt than others.
Add some veggies! Diced potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers would all be yummy additions. Add them when you sauté the other veggies.
Herbs, herbs, herbs! Fresh thyme, rosemary, or oregano would add a lovely aroma and flavor. Just chop them up and toss them in during the last 15 minutes of cooking. My favorite part is the aroma!
Make it creamy! Stir in a dollop of heavy cream or sour cream at the end for a richer, creamier soup. So decadent! (But maybe not the *healthiest* option, just sayin’!)

Seriously, the possibilities are endless! Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this sausage and kale soup your own. That’s what cooking is all about, right?

Serving Suggestions for Sausage and Kale Soup

Okay, so you’ve got a pot of steaming, delicious sausage and kale soup ready to go. But what should you serve with it? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are a few of my favorite things to serve alongside this soup to make it a complete and satisfying meal:

Crusty bread: This is a must! You need something to soak up all that delicious broth. A loaf of crusty Italian bread or some toasted baguette slices are perfect.
A side salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great way to balance out the richness of the soup. I like a mix of greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Garlic bread: Because why not? Slather some bread with garlic butter and toast it up for an extra-garlicky treat. Careful, it’s easy to overdo the garlic!
Grilled cheese sandwiches: Okay, this might sound a little weird, but trust me! A grilled cheese sandwich is the perfect comfort food pairing for this soup. Especially on a cold day!
A sprinkle of red pepper flakes: If you like a little heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top of your soup. It adds a nice kick!

Honestly, this sausage and kale soup is so hearty and flavorful, you don’t really *need* anything else. But a little something on the side never hurts, right? Enjoy!

Storing and Reheating Sausage and Kale Soup

Alright, so you made a big batch of sausage and kale soup (good for you!), and now you’ve got leftovers. No problem! This soup actually tastes even *better* the next day, after the flavors have had a chance to meld together. Here’s how to store and reheat it like a pro:

In the fridge: Let the soup cool down completely before you put it away. Then, just transfer it to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep for up to 4 days. Perfect for easy lunches!
In the freezer: Want to keep it longer? No problem! Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Make sure to leave a little bit of room at the top, because the soup will expand as it freezes. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Yay for future you!

Okay, so you’ve got your stored soup. Now, how to reheat it? Easy peasy!

On the stovetop: This is my favorite method. Just pour the soup into a pot and heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through. It’s like you just made it!
In the microwave: If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too! Put the soup in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it on high for a few minutes, stirring every so often, until it’s heated through. Careful, it can get super hot!

Seriously, leftovers are the best! Especially when they’re as delicious as this sausage and kale soup. Enjoy!

Sausage and Kale Soup FAQs

Can I make Sausage and Kale Soup in a slow cooker?

Oh, absolutely! Slow cookers are amazing, aren’t they? To make this sausage and kale soup in a slow cooker, brown the sausage on the stovetop first – you don’t want to skip that step! Then, toss the sausage, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, broth, salt, and pepper into your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the kale during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Easy peasy!

Can I freeze Sausage and Kale Soup?

You betcha! This soup freezes like a dream. Just let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container (leaving a little room at the top for expansion). It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. So convenient!

What kind of sausage is best for Sausage and Kale Soup?

Okay, so I’m a *huge* fan of sweet Italian sausage in this soup. It adds this amazing flavor that I just can’t get enough of. But honestly? You can use whatever kind of sausage you like! Mild Italian sausage is a great option if you’re not into the sweetness. Spicy Italian sausage will give it a nice kick! And if you’re trying to keep it a little healthier, ground turkey or chicken sausage works too. Just make sure to brown it before adding it to the soup!

Can I use frozen kale in Sausage and Kale Soup?

Totally! Frozen kale is a lifesaver, especially when you don’t have fresh on hand. Just make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out any excess water before adding it to the soup. Otherwise, it can make the soup a little watery. No biggie, though! Just cook it a little longer to let the extra liquid evaporate.

How can I make Sausage and Kale Soup vegetarian?

Easy peasy! Just skip the sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. To add some extra heartiness and flavor, you can add a can of cannellini beans or chickpeas. And don’t be afraid to experiment with different veggies and herbs to make it your own! A little smoked paprika can even give it a “sausage-y” flavor. Clever, right?

Nutritional Information for Sausage and Kale Soup

Okay, so everyone always asks about the nutritional info. But here’s the thing: it’s super hard to give you an exact number! It really depends on the brand of sausage you use, how much salt you add, and all that jazz. So, I can’t give you precise nutritional information for this sausage and kale soup, unfortunately.

Just keep in mind that the calories and macros will vary a bit based on the specific ingredients you use. But hey, it’s packed with veggies and protein, so you’re already winning! And that’s what counts, right?

Enjoy Your Delicious Sausage and Kale Soup!

Woohoo! You did it! You made a pot of amazing, hearty, and healthy sausage and kale soup! Give yourself a pat on the back. Now it’s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy every single spoonful. Seriously, this soup is like a warm hug in a bowl!

But hey, before you go, I’d love to hear what you think! Did you try this recipe? Did you make any fun variations? Let me know in the comments below! And if you loved it as much as I do, please give it a rating! It helps other people find this recipe, and it makes my day! You can also share your photos on social media and tag me – I love seeing your creations!

Happy cooking, friends! And remember, soup is always a good idea!