Here’s a hearty, cozy, and flavor-packed recipe for Italian Sausage Potato Soup with Carrots & Spinach — a satisfying one-pot meal that’s creamy, rustic, and perfect for chilly nights. It’s like a mix between Zuppa Toscana and classic sausage stew.
🍲 Italian Sausage Potato Soup with Carrots & Spinach
📌 Servings: 6
🕒 Time: 15 mins prep | 30 mins cook | Total: ~45 mins
🧑🍳 Skill Level: Easy
🧾 Ingredients
🥩 For the Soup:
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, your choice)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (only if needed for browning)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 ½ lbs baby potatoes or Yukon Gold, diced (about 4 cups)
- 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
🧀 Optional Garnish:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
- Crusty bread for serving
🍳 Instructions
🔹 1. Brown the Sausage
- In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat (if sausage is lean).
- Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Cook until browned and cooked through (about 5–7 minutes).
- Remove excess grease if needed. Leave sausage in the pot.
🔹 2. Sauté Aromatics
- Add diced onion and carrots to the sausage.
- Sauté for 3–4 minutes until onion is translucent.
- Add garlic and stir for another 30 seconds.
🔹 3. Add Potatoes & Broth
- Stir in the diced potatoes, Italian seasoning, and chicken broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until potatoes and carrots are fork-tender.
🔹 4. Add Cream & Spinach
- Reduce heat to low.
- Stir in heavy cream and chopped spinach.
- Simmer for another 3–5 minutes, just until spinach is wilted.
🔹 5. Season & Serve
- Taste and adjust salt & pepper.
- Serve hot with optional Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and bread on the side.
🧊 Storage
- Fridge: Keeps well for 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Freeze without cream or spinach. Add them fresh when reheating.
🔁 Substitutions & Variations
- Make it dairy-free: Use coconut cream or omit cream altogether.
- Use kale instead of spinach for a heartier green.
- Add white beans (like cannellini or navy) for more fiber and protein.
- Spicy version: Use hot Italian sausage and add crushed red pepper.
- Creamier: Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup before adding spinach.
❓FAQs – Italian Sausage Potato Soup
🔹 What kind of sausage works best?
Italian sausage (mild or spicy) is ideal. Pork is traditional, but chicken or turkey sausage also works well.
🔹 Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes!
- Brown sausage and onions first.
- Add everything except cream and spinach to the slow cooker.
- Cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours.
- Stir in cream and spinach during the last 30 minutes.
🔹 Can I use sweet potatoes?
Yes! They add a slightly sweeter flavor and pair well with the sausage and spinach.
🔹 How do I thicken the soup?
- Mash some of the cooked potatoes.
- Or add 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (slurry), then simmer.
Would you like a low-carb version, a printable recipe card, or a vegetarian adaptation of this soup?