Ingredients
Meat & Dairy
- 1 lb. ground Italian sausage
- 4 slices thick cut bacon, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- 4 cups russet potatoes, peeled and cubed into bite-size pieces
- 1 1/2 cups chopped kale
Liquids & Seasonings
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: In a large dutch oven or stock pot, brown the ground Italian sausage over medium-high heat until fully cooked and crumbled. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then set aside.
- Cook bacon and aromatics: In the same pot, add diced bacon and cook over medium-high heat until the fat renders and bacon begins to crisp. Add diced onion and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add liquids and potatoes: Return the browned sausage to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and water, then add the cubed potatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Incorporate kale and cream: Stir in the chopped kale and cook for 2 more minutes until the kale is slightly softened. Then add the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Simmer for another 2 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Russet potatoes are preferred for their texture, but Yukon Gold can also be used.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently to preserve creaminess.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the cream and Parmesan or use suitable substitutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American