Hearty Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

Introduction:

Embark on a culinary journey through the rustic flavors of Italy with our sumptuous Italian Sausage and Kale Soup. This soul-warming dish brings together robust Italian sausage, vibrant kale, tender beans, and a medley of aromatic spices, creating a symphony of flavors that will delight your palate and warm your heart. Perfect for chilly evenings or cozy gatherings with loved ones, this comforting soup is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
  • 6 cups chopped fresh kale
  • 2 cans (15-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 4 large carrots, finely chopped (about 3 cups)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 5 cups chicken stock
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

  1. Preparation: Begin by cooking the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Continue until the sausage is no longer pink, typically 6-8 minutes. Once cooked, drain the excess fat and transfer the sausage to a 5-quart slow cooker.
  2. Assembly: To the slow cooker, add the chopped kale, rinsed and drained great northern beans, crushed tomatoes, finely chopped carrots, chopped onion, minced garlic cloves, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and chicken stock. Stir all the ingredients together until well combined.
  3. Cooking: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the vegetables to become tender.
  4. Serving: Once the soup is cooked to perfection, ladle it into bowls and serve hot. Sprinkle each serving with a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese for a delightful finishing touch.

Additional Information:

Italian Sausage and Kale Soup is not only delicious but also packed with nutritional goodness. Kale is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium. Combined with the protein-rich Italian sausage and fiber-filled beans, this soup provides a satisfying and nourishing meal option for the whole family.

For added depth of flavor, consider using spicy Italian sausage or adding a splash of red wine to the soup during cooking. You can also customize the soup by incorporating other hearty vegetables such as potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers.

This recipe is perfect for meal prep as it can be easily doubled or tripled and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later enjoyment. Simply reheat the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave for a quick and convenient meal option.

Whether enjoyed as a comforting weeknight dinner or served at a festive gathering, Italian Sausage and Kale Soup is sure to impress with its rich flavors and wholesome ingredients. Gather your loved ones around the table and savor the warmth and comfort of this classic Italian-inspired dish.

Italian Sausage, Kale and Tortellini Soup

Servings: 6

Prep15 minutes

Cook30 minutes

Ready in: 45 minutes

Ingredients
16 oz mild or hot italian sausage (pork or turkey), removed from casings
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (1 medium)
1 1/3 cups chopped carrots (3 medium)
4 cloves garlic, minced
5 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
9 oz refrigerated three cheese tortellini
2 cups packed chopped kale (thick ribs removed)
Finely shredded parmesan cheese , for serving (optional)
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Crumble sausage into pot and brown, stirring and breaking up sausage occasionally, until cooked through.
Drain sausage onto a plate lined with several layers of paper towels while reserving 1 Tbsp rendered fat in pot (if there’s not a tbsp just add 1 more tbsp olive oil to pot).
Add onions and carrots and saute 3 minutes then add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.
Stir in beef broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bring to a light boil, return sausage to pot, cover pot and reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer until carrots are nearly tender, about 15 minutes.
Stir in tortellini and kale then cover and cook 7 – 9 minutes longer. Serve warm with parmesan cheese if desired (note that as the soup rests the tortellini will absorb more broth so you can add more broth or water to thin as desired).