Italian Sausage Kale Soup Recipe

This Italian sausage kale soup is one of my favorite bowls to warm up to. Although it’s hearty and filling, it’s also super light and healthy. I love that I can have a couple of bowls without feeling weighed down…

What’s better is that this soup is made with fully cooked sausage. That means it’s quick to assemble and perfect for a hectic weeknight dinner on the fly. It also freezes super well, making it a perfect candidate for meal-prepping.

Sausage Kale Soup Video

How to Make Sausage Kale Soup

Making sausage kale soup is so simple you can hardly call it a recipe. Below, find a quick overview of the recipe before you dive in.

• Prep the Sausage: Slice the sausage into 1/2-inch rings.
• Prep the Veggies: Using a sharp knife, dice the onion. Next, grate the carrots on the largest slot of a standard cheese grater. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, caramelize the carrots in a bit of oil and then add in the grated carrots.
• Add the Beans & Broth: Rinse the beans in a colander and add them into the soup pot. Next, pour in the hot water and add the broth base.
• Add the Kale & Sausage: Chop the kale into bite-sized pieces and add it to the soup pot, followed by the sausage. Allow the soup to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring it frequently with a wooden spoon until the kale has softened. Remove it from heat and enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

Below, find a handful of tips and tricks to help you make the best possible sausage kale soup.

• Brown the sausage slightly first. For an extra bit of texture and flavor, brown the sausage in a skillet before adding it to the soup.
• Rinse the beans before adding them. Canned beans are stored in a thick, bland brine to keep them preserved. Make sure to rinse the beans in a colander before adding them to the soup.
• Chop the kale into similar-sized pieces. To prevent getting large, hard-to-eat slices of kale, slice the leafy green into similar bite-sized pieces.
• Tweak the broth to your liking. If you want a kick of heat, add a couple of shakes of red pepper flakes or cracks of coarse black pepper. If you’re a garlic addict, press a garlic clove into the sautéed veggies. Additionally, you can make the soup herby by adding a tablespoon of Italian seasoning.

What Goes Well With Sausage Kale Soup?

Sausage kale soup is hearty enough to be eaten all on its own. However, if you’re looking for a more well-rounded meal, pair it with a chunk of crusty baguette and a homemade caesar salad. You can also serve the soup as an appetizer before a full-blown Italian feast of shrimp fettuccine alfredo and focaccia bread.

Storing Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep for up to a week and get more flavorful as it marinates.
• Freezer: Freeze leftover soup by first letting it cool down completely. Next, transfer the soup to a freezer-safe bag and store it for up to a week.

FAQ

Other Kale Soups to Try

• Gnocchi Zuppa Toscana Recipe – Olive Garden copycat with potato dumplings
• Meatball Kale Soup Recipe – Hearty meatball and kale soup
• Zuppa Toscana – Olive Garden copycat soup

Recipe

Italian Sausage Kale Soup Recipe

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Servings

12 Servings

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This Italian sausage kale soup is packed with leafy kale, savory Italian sausage, and tender white beans. A light, yet filling weeknight soup!

Ingredients

• 1 lb sausage
• 1 medium onion
• 1 large carrot
• 16 oz canned white beans
• 1 bunch kale
• 1 tbsp Better than Bouillon chicken or beef base
• 1 tsp oil for frying
• 1 tsp salt adjust to taste

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• If desired, peel the skin/casing off the sausage. Next, cut it into 1/2-inch rings. Optionally, you can brown the sausage a little in a skillet with oil or simply pop it in the soup as-is.
  
• Dice the onion ad chop the carrots.
  
• Preheat a large soup pot with a bit of oil. Caramelize the onions until golden brown. Next, add in the grated carrots.
  
• Rinse the beans under cool water to remove the canning fluid. Add them into the pot. Next, pour in 3 quarts of hot water and stir in the broth base. Allow it to simmer for 20 minutes.
  
• Chop the kale into small pieces. Add the sausage and kale to the soup. Let the soup simmer for 5 minutes and remove it from heat.
  
• Serve the soup immediately and enjoy!
  

Nutrition Facts

Italian Sausage Kale Soup Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 164 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Cholesterol 27mg9%

Sodium 246mg10%

Potassium 295mg8%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 885IU18%

Vitamin C 1.3mg2%

Calcium 35mg4%

Iron 1.6mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.