Description
Hearty sausage and sweet potato soup combines robust Italian sausage with creamy sweet potatoes in a comforting winter meal. Rustic flavors and simple ingredients merge to create a nourishing bowl perfect for cold evenings you’ll want to savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb (450g) sausage (Italian, spicy, or smoked)
Vegetables:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 2 cups spinach or kale (optional)
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional topping)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high temperature and brown the sausage by crumbling it thoroughly until no pink remains.
- Incorporate chopped onion, minced garlic, diced celery, and sliced carrots, sautéing the vegetables until they become translucent and softened, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Sprinkle paprika, cumin, thyme, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper into the mixture, allowing the spices to bloom and release their aromatic essence for about 60 seconds.
- Pour in diced sweet potatoes, crushed tomatoes, rich chicken broth, and toss in a whole bay leaf, bringing the liquid to a robust boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer for 22-25 minutes.
- Monitor the sweet potatoes’ tenderness, ensuring they can be easily pierced with a fork while maintaining their structural integrity.
- Gently fold fresh spinach or kale into the simmering soup, allowing the greens to wilt and integrate seamlessly within 2-3 minutes.
- Extract and discard the bay leaf before ladling the soup into serving bowls.
- Enhance the presentation by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley and offering optional accompaniments like tangy sour cream or creamy Greek yogurt as garnish.
Notes
- Customize protein by swapping sausage with turkey sausage, ground chicken, or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences.
- Add extra texture and nutrition by including white beans or lentils during the vegetable sautéing stage for a more hearty soup.
- Control spice levels by adjusting paprika and cumin quantities or using mild sausage for sensitive palates.
- Enhance soup’s thickness by partially mashing some sweet potatoes or adding a splash of cream for a richer consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg