Imagine the aroma of savory Italian sausage and garlic wafting through your kitchen, mingling with the earthy scent of fresh spinach.
Sausage Spinach Soup is a comforting Italian favorite that’s delightfully easy to prepare, perfect for those cozy nights when you crave something heartwarming.
As the ingredients meld together, the flavors deepen, transforming the simple ingredients into a rich, creamy delight.
Let’s bring this delicious soup to life and savor its comforting warmth.
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 large pot
- 1 cutting board
- 1 knife
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 ladle
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking Sausage Spinach Soup, you can follow this timeline:
1. Reading the Recipe (5 minutes): Spend a few minutes reading through the entire recipe to understand the steps and gather all necessary equipment and ingredients.
2. Prep Work (15 minutes):
- Minute 1-5: Gather all equipment and ingredients.
- Minute 6-10: Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
- Minute 11-15: Remove casings from the Italian sausage and chop the fresh spinach.
3. Cooking (30 minutes):
- Minute 16-18: Heat olive oil in the large pot over medium heat.
- Minute 19-24: Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into pieces.
- Minute 25: Remove sausage from the pot.
- Minute 26-28: Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Minute 29-31: Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes, stir in oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Minute 32: Return the sausage to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Minute 33-53: Reduce heat and let the soup simmer for 20 minutes.
- Minute 54-55: Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
- Minute 56-58: Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Resting Time (5 minutes):
– Minute 59-63: Remove the soup from heat and let it rest before serving.
Adjust as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.
Recipe Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add sausage to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it into pieces with a wooden spoon.
Remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
Add onion and garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion is translucent.
Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes, then stir in oregano, salt, and pepper.
Return the sausage to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce heat and let the soup simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, then simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and let the soup rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips
- Crusty Bread: Pair the soup with warm, crusty bread for dipping, enhancing the Italian flavors.
- Side Salad: Serve with a light side salad of mixed greens and a balsamic vinaigrette for a revitalizing contrast.
- Garlic Breadsticks: Complement the soup’s savory taste with garlic breadsticks, perfect for soaking up the broth.
- Grated Parmesan: Offer extra grated Parmesan on the side for guests to sprinkle on top, adding a rich, cheesy finish.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Provide red pepper flakes for those who enjoy a bit of heat and spice in their soup.
Storage
To store Sausage Spinach Soup, allow it to cool completely before transferring to airtight containers.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Freezing
To freeze sausage spinach soup, let it cool completely.
Then transfer to airtight containers.
Leave space for expansion.
Label with the date.
Freeze for up to three months.
Reheating
To reheat Sausage Spinach Soup, gently warm it on the stove over low heat.
Stir occasionally. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling the cream.
Alternatively, microwave in short intervals. Stir in between.
Final Thoughts
Enjoying a hearty bowl of sausage spinach soup is both comforting and satisfying.
Its rich flavors and creamy texture make it a delightful meal for any occasion.
Whether you’re serving it as a main dish or alongside a salad or bread, this soup is sure to please.
The combination of Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese creates a delicious balance of savory and creamy.
Don’t forget to adjust the seasoning to your liking, and consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
This recipe is versatile and can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences.
Enjoy the warmth and comfort of this Italian-inspired soup, perfect for any time of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use a Different Type of Sausage for This Soup?
You can definitely use different sausage types. Opt for turkey or chicken sausage to lighten the soup. For a spicier kick, try chorizo. Each choice impacts the flavor profile, so adjust seasoning to complement the sausage’s taste.
What Can I Substitute for Heavy Cream to Make It Lighter?
You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk to lighten the dish. For a non-dairy option, try using coconut milk or almond milk. Adjust the seasoning to maintain the soup’s rich, creamy flavor.
Is There a Vegetarian Version of This Soup?
Yes, you can create a vegetarian version by swapping sausage for plant-based sausage or mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Enhance flavors with smoked paprika and nutritional yeast for a savory touch without meat.
Can I Make This Soup in a Slow Cooker?
You can make this soup in a slow cooker. Sauté the sausage, onion, and garlic first. Then, transfer everything to the slow cooker, except cream and spinach. Cook on low for 6 hours, adding cream and spinach at the end.
What Wine Pairs Well With Sausage Spinach Soup?
You should pair this soup with a light-bodied red like Chianti or a crisp white such as Pinot Grigio. These wines complement the savory sausage and creamy texture, enhancing the dish’s rich flavors without overwhelming them.
Sausage Spinach Soup
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Ladle
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 clove garlic minced
- 4 cup chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cup fresh spinach roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add sausage to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it into pieces with a wooden spoon.
- Remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
- Add onion and garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes, then stir in oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Return the sausage to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat and let the soup simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
- Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, then simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the soup rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
