Hearty Creamy Sausage Soup: A Cozy One-Pot Dinner

Equipment

• Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Ladle
• Vegetable peeler

Ingredients

Choose your sausage

• Mild Italian sausage: A classic savory flavor.
• Hot Italian sausage: Adds a little heat.
• Breakfast sausage: Gives the soup a slightly different, seasoned flavor.
• Turkey sausage: A lighter alternative, although the flavor and richness may differ.
• Smoked sausage: Slice it into rounds and brown before adding the vegetables.

Add more vegetables

• Spinach
• Kale
• Mushrooms
• Corn
• Green beans
• Diced bell pepper
• Peas

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the sausage

1. Place a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.
2. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook for about 6–8 minutes , breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon.
3. Continue cooking until the sausage is browned and fully cooked.
4. If there’s a large amount of excess grease, carefully drain some from the pot, leaving a little behind for flavor.

Step 2: Sauté the vegetables

1. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot.
2. Cook for approximately 4–5 minutes , stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4. That smell is wonderful already!

Step 3: Add the potatoes and seasonings

1. Stir in the diced potatoes, Italian seasoning, dried thyme, black pepper, and salt.
2. Mix everything together so the potatoes are coated in the sausage and vegetable mixture.

Step 4: Pour in the broth

1. Add the chicken broth and stir well.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer.
3. Cover partially and cook for approximately 15–20 minutes , or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
4. The exact time will depend on how large you cut the potatoes.

Step 5: Make the broth creamy

1. Reduce the heat to low.
2. Slowly stir in the heavy cream.
3. Allow the soup to warm gently for another 3–5 minutes , stirring occasionally.
4. Avoid boiling the soup vigorously after adding the cream, as gentle heating helps maintain a smooth texture.

Step 6: Add the finishing touches

1. If you’re using Parmesan cheese, stir it in gradually until melted.
2. Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
3. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top.

Step 7: Serve warm

1. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately.
2. Make sure everyone gets plenty of sausage, potatoes, and vegetables in their bowl!
3. A little extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper on top make a lovely finishing touch.

How to Make the Soup Thicker

1. If you prefer a thicker, almost chowder-like consistency, there are a few easy options.

Mash some of the potatoes

1. Remove a few cooked potato pieces, mash them with a fork, and stir them back into the soup.
2. This is my favorite simple method because it thickens the broth without adding extra ingredients.

Use a cornstarch slurry

1. Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth.
2. Stir the mixture into the gently simmering soup and cook for a few minutes until it thickens.

Add a little more cheese

1. A handful of finely grated Parmesan can add richness and body. Add it gradually and stir until melted.

Nutrition

Calories: 460 · Protein: 19g · Fat: 30g · Carbohydrates: 29g · Saturated Fat: 13g · Fiber: 3g · Sugar: 4g · Sodium: 950mg