Quick & Hearty Spicy Italian Sausage Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Spicy Italian sausage soup warms souls with its robust Mediterranean flavors and hearty ingredients.

Rich aromatics dance through kitchens, promising comfort in every spoonful.

Authentic regional techniques elevate simple components into a meal that speaks directly to hunger.

Intense spices mingle with tender meat, creating layers of complex taste sensations.

Rustic cooking methods highlight the natural essence of each carefully selected ingredient.

Culinary traditions shine through this soul-satisfying dish that connects generations of home cooks.

Each bite tells a story of passion, tradition, and nourishment.

Pairing Spicy Italian Sausage Soup with Bread

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic Italian ciabatta or sourdough to soak up the rich, spicy broth and add delightful texture to each bite.
• Match with Crisp White Wine: Select a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the soup's richness and complement its spicy undertones.
• Complement with Fresh Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty soup's bold flavors and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Serve with Grated Parmesan: Sprinkle aged Parmigiano-Reggiano on top to enhance the soup's savory profile and add a nutty, salty finish.

Spicy Italian Sausage Soup Variations to Try

• Rustic Chorizo Potato Soup: Swap Italian sausage with spicy chorizo for a Mexican-inspired flavor profile. Add diced bell peppers and replace chicken broth with a blend of tomato and chicken stock for deeper complexity.
• Vegetarian Lentil Version: Substitute sausage with green or brown lentils and vegetable broth. Include smoked paprika and extra herbs to maintain the rich, hearty essence of the original soup.
• Creamy Sausage and Kale Soup: Increase the amount of heavy cream and incorporate chopped kale directly into the soup during the simmering process. Garnish with crispy pancetta bits for added texture and flavor.
• Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Soup: Add cannellini beans during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Include fresh rosemary and thyme, and finish with a drizzle of good quality olive oil for an authentic Italian touch.

Spicy Italian Sausage Soup for a Warm Meal

• Burst with Spicy Comfort: This hearty soup delivers a warming punch of Italian sausage flavor that hugs your taste buds with rich, bold spiciness and comforting heat.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Champion: Ready in under an hour, this one-pot wonder simplifies dinner prep with minimal dishes and maximum satisfaction, perfect for busy home cooks craving delicious meals.
• Customizable Green Boost: Wilting fresh greens directly in the serving bowl adds a nutritious twist, creating layers of texture and a fresh, peppery contrast to the robust sausage base.
• Creamy Indulgence Meets Rustic Charm: The addition of heavy cream transforms this soup from simple to luxurious, while chunky potatoes and browned sausage maintain a satisfying, homestyle appeal.

Ingredients for Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

• Spicy Italian Sausage: Bold, flavorful meat that provides the soup's rich base and spicy undertone. Choose fresh, high-quality sausage for best results.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor foundations that add depth and aroma to the soup. Look for firm, fresh produce with no soft spots.
• Red Pepper Flakes, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, White Pepper: Spice blend that enhances overall flavor profile and provides layers of heat and seasoning.

• Chicken Broth, Chicken Base: Provides essential liquid and concentrated chicken flavor. Select low-sodium options for better control of salt levels.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creates a smooth, velvety texture in the soup.

• Potatoes: Hearty vegetable that adds substance and helps thicken the soup. Choose waxy varieties that hold their shape during cooking.
• Baby Kale, Arugula, Spinach: Fresh greens that add color, nutrition, and a subtle peppery or earthy note when wilted in hot soup.

How to Make Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

Step 1: Brown The Spicy Sausage

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and break it apart while cooking until it turns golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. If excess grease accumulates, drain half of it to keep the soup balanced.

Step 2: Infuse Aromatic Flavors

• Red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• White pepper

Step 3: Create The Soup Base

Pour chicken broth into the pot and stir in chicken base. Add sliced potatoes, ensuring liquid completely covers all ingredients. Add extra broth or water with chicken base if needed. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 35-40 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 4: Enrich With Cream

Stir in heavy cream and lower the heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Let the soup gently simmer for 5 more minutes to blend flavors beautifully.

Step 5: Serve With Fresh Greens

• Baby kale
• Arugula
• Spinach

Ladle the steaming hot soup over the greens, allowing them to wilt slightly before serving.

Pro Tips for Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

• Sizzle the Sausage Right: Brown the sausage thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavors and prevent a greasy texture.
• Slice Potatoes Uniformly: Cut potatoes into even, bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking and a perfect texture in every spoonful.
• Simmer Strategically: Keep the soup at a gentle simmer to prevent overcooking potatoes and maintain their creamy, tender consistency.
• Customize Heat Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness, starting with a small amount and adding more for those who love extra kick.
• Green Freshness Hack: Add fresh greens just before serving to preserve their vibrant color and provide a crisp contrast to the rich, creamy soup.

Storing and Reheating Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

• Refrigeration: Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the soup will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the soup completely before covering to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid adding cream before freezing, as it may separate when thawed.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick. Stir in fresh cream after reheating to maintain its smooth texture and prevent separation.

Spicy Italian Sausage Soup Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spicy Italian sausage soup delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in a hearty bowl packed with robust ingredients. Rich tomato broth and spicy sausage create a comforting meal that warms hearts and satisfies hungry appetites with authentic Italian flair.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound hot Italian sausage
• 2 pounds red potatoes, washed and sliced thin
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups baby kale, arugula, or spinach

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Finishing Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon chicken base
• 1 cup heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Position a large pot over medium-high heat and introduce the Italian sausage, methodically fragmenting the meat while it caramelizes to a rich golden brown, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Discretely drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic into the sausage, allowing them to meld and become translucent. Sprinkle red pepper flakes, kosher salt, black pepper, and white pepper to elevate the aromatic profile, cooking for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Stream chicken broth into the pot and integrate chicken base thoroughly. Add thinly sliced potatoes, ensuring the liquid completely submerges all ingredients. If liquid appears insufficient, supplement with additional broth or water mixed with chicken base.
4. Escalate the temperature to achieve a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to medium. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 35 to 40 minutes, monitoring potato tenderness and developing deep, complex flavors.
5. Gently fold heavy cream into the soup, reducing heat to low. Fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and pepper according to taste preferences. Permit the soup to rest and harmonize flavors for 5 minutes.
6. Distribute a handful of fresh greens – baby kale, arugula, or spinach – into serving bowls. Carefully ladle the piping hot soup over the greens, creating a gentle wilting effect that enhances the dish’s visual and textural appeal.

Notes

• Unleash a flavor explosion with this hearty Italian sausage soup that combines spicy, creamy, and comforting elements in one delightful bowl.
• Carefully drain excess sausage grease to prevent an overly oily soup and maintain a balanced, rich texture.
• Adjust spice levels by controlling the amount of red pepper flakes, making this recipe adaptable to different heat preferences.
• Use fresh, high-quality chicken broth or homemade stock for a more robust and authentic soup flavor profile.
• Choose tender greens like baby kale or spinach that wilt beautifully when the hot soup is poured over them, adding freshness and nutrition.
• For best results, let the soup simmer slowly to allow potatoes to become perfectly tender and flavors to meld harmoniously.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg