Rustic Tuscan Kale and Sausage Soup
This Rustic Tuscan Kale and Sausage Soup is a delightful and hearty dish that brings a taste of Italy right to your kitchen. Featuring a rich blend of Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and nutrient-packed kale, this soup is perfect for warming up on a chilly day. The combination of savory flavors, creamy texture, and a hint of spice makes it irresistibly comforting. The recipe is easy to customize with the addition of your favorite ingredients and can be made thicker by mashing some potatoes or using a cornstarch slurry. Serve it with crusty bread for a fulfilling meal that the entire family will love!
N/A
Servings
240
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Italian sausage
1 lb (removed from casing and crumbled)
red pepper flakes
1/2-1 teaspoon (to taste)
russet potatoes
3 large (chunked (peeled or unpeeled))
onion
1 large (diced)
bacon
4 slices (chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
kale or Swiss chard
3 cups (chopped)
chicken broth
2 (32 ounce) boxes (not prepared)
water
2 cups (not prepared)
heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups (not prepared)
white pepper
to taste (liberal sprinkling)
Instructions
1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a medium-high flame and add the Italian sausage along with red pepper flakes if desired. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat and transfer the sausage to a plate. Set aside.
2
In the same pot, add the chopped bacon and cook over medium heat until it starts to render its fat. Once the bacon is halfway cooked, add the diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté the mixture for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
3
Pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring to combine. Bring the liquid to a boil.
4
Add the chunked potatoes to the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
5
Once the potatoes are soft, stir in the heavy cream and the cooked sausage. Allow the soup to heat through while occasionally stirring. Season with a liberal sprinkling of white pepper, adjusting to your taste.
6
Just before serving, fold in the chopped kale or Swiss chard and let it wilt for a few minutes in the hot soup.
7
Serve hot, garnished with additional pepper if desired, and enjoy your Rustic Tuscan Kale and Sausage Soup with crusty bread!
Nutrition Information
15 g
Fat
19 g
Carbs
8 g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rustic Tuscan Kale and Sausage Soup?
This is a hearty, comforting Italian-style soup featuring Italian sausage, potatoes, and kale in a creamy broth.
What kind of sausage is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of Italian sausage, removed from its casing and crumbled.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
Each serving contains 240 calories.
Can I use a substitute for kale?
Yes, you can use Swiss chard as a substitute for kale in this recipe.
What type of potatoes should I use?
The recipe recommends using three large russet potatoes.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Peeling is optional; you can prepare the potatoes chunked with or without the skin.
How much kale is required?
You will need three cups of chopped kale or Swiss chard.
Is this soup spicy?
It has a hint of spice from the Italian sausage and an optional 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
How much fat is in this soup?
The soup contains 15 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein does this soup provide?
Each serving provides 8 grams of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 19 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What kind of broth is used in the base?
The recipe uses two 32-ounce boxes of chicken broth combined with two cups of water.
How much heavy cream is added?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream.
How long should I sauté the onions and garlic?
Sauté the bacon, diced onions, and minced garlic for about 15 minutes until the onions are translucent.
When should I add the kale to the soup?
Fold in the chopped kale or Swiss chard just before serving and let it wilt for a few minutes.
How long do the potatoes take to cook?
The potatoes should simmer for approximately 15 to 20 minutes until they are tender.
What seasoning is used for the final touch?
The soup is seasoned with a liberal sprinkling of white pepper to taste.
Can I make the soup thicker?
Yes, you can make it thicker by mashing some of the cooked potatoes or using a cornstarch slurry.
How many slices of bacon are needed?
You will need 4 slices of chopped bacon.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe requires 3 minced garlic cloves.
What equipment is recommended for cooking?
A large pot or a Dutch oven is recommended for this recipe.
Should I drain the fat from the sausage?
Yes, after browning the sausage, you should drain any excess fat before setting it aside.
What should I serve with this dish?
It is best served with crusty bread for a fulfilling meal.
Is this a good weeknight meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick and hearty weeknight meal.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total.
Can I use water instead of broth?
The recipe specifically uses a combination of both chicken broth and water for the liquid base.
What is the preparation for the onion?
One large onion should be diced.
How is the sausage prepared before cooking?
The Italian sausage should be removed from its casing and crumbled.
Is this soup considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is described as an irresistibly comforting and hearty dish.
Can I adjust the amount of red pepper flakes?
Yes, you can add between 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes based on your taste preference.