Easy and healthy Italian sausage and sweet potato soup with kale. Packed with flavor, and ready in 40 minutes! Paleo, gluten free, dairy free and Whole30.
The winter we aren’t able to go skiing at the drop of a hat, we are having the best snow in years.
In 2012 we got season passes to Heavenly in Lake Tahoe, which is just about 4 hours from our house. That was a great snow year. Tons of fresh powder every weekend. Shawn, my sister, her husband (then fiance) and I would drive up at least 2 weekends every month.
We bought season passes again the next year in 2013, but there was just no snow. It was awful. I think we got 1 good ski day that whole season. That didn’t stop us from going up to Tahoe and enjoying the casinos though!
2014 was even worse. Barely any snow at all.
And now we have our beautiful baby boy here with us, El Nino is in full swing, and Lake Tahoe is covered in blankets of snow. I have dreams of being able to go up for a ski day this winter, but am not sure I could be away from Josh for more than 3 hours yet. His longest nap of the day is 3 hours, and by the end I can’t wait for him to wake up.
Shawn joked that we could bring him with us on the slopes. I could strap Josh to my back like the eskimo’s do, and just be really careful not to fall and crush him. Ha!
He obviously forgets that I have at least 3 good wipe outs when I ski.
While I may not be enjoying the snow this year, I am loving all the rain! Nothing like being bundled up inside, with the rain pouring outside, and little baby Josh asleep on my chest. It’s heaven. Ski days have nothing on this.
Rainy weather = soup weather, and I’ve been making lots of soups for dinner. I love them because I can make the soup while Josh is taking a nap, and then it can just simmer away the rest of the day, ready to be eaten as soon as Shawn gets home. I’ve already made this sausage and sweet potato soup with kale for dinner 3 times since Thanksgiving. It’s a new favorite.
This sausage and sweet potato soup has such amazing flavor, but couldn’t be easier to throw together. I love the bold seasoning of italian sausage paired with the sweet and velvety texture of the sweet potato. I added in some kale for extra health benefits, and for some more color. Kale is perfect for soups, it stays tender and doesn’t wilt too much as it cooks.
This sausage and sweet potato soup with kale is filling, yet light. It doesn’t leave you feeling heavy and weighted down like you would after eating a heavy stew. Perfect dinner to add in to the rotation to help you stick to your healthier New Years resolutions. It’s paleo, gluten free, dairy free and Whole30!
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Sausage & Sweet Potato Soup with Kale
Prep Time: 5 mins- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
Yield: 4 1x
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Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 4 garlic cloves, grated or finely minced
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2″ cubes, about 3 cups
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed and chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium high heat. Cook the sausage in the olive oil, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon until almost cooked thru, about 5 minutes. Add in the onion, salt and pepper, and cook until turning translucent, another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add in the sweet potatoes, chicken stock and bay leaf. Cook partially covered over medium heat until the sweet potatoes are tender, 20 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf, and add in the kale. Continue to cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until the kale is tender. Turn off heat, taste for salt and pepper, add more if necessary. Serve warm.
More Soup Recipes
Italian Sausage and Vegetable Soup
Potato, White Bean & Kale Soup
Slow Cooker Irish Guinness Beef Stew
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Ashley says
January 7, 2016 at 11:32 amI’m making this tomorrow! Looks SO good!
★★★★★
Keri @ Fashionable Foods says
January 7, 2016 at 11:42 amI grew up in a big ski area near the Poconos in PA and I only ever went once – ha! I’m not fond of cold and snow, I’m more of a cuddle up next to a fire and have hot chocolate type. Your rainy days with little Josh sound perfect :) This soup looks just perfect – I’ve added it to my menu for next week!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
January 7, 2016 at 6:36 pmThis is the kind of soup I just love! Warms you up, flavorful, and healthier! I think I need to get a batch simmering this weekend. :)
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
January 8, 2016 at 4:36 amIsn’t it funny how the weather works out? Hopefully you’ll get a chance to go skiing once this year! But if not, you have lots of this soup to comfort you. I love the sausage and kale in here, Natalie! It sounds so delicious! And I have some snow headed my way tomorrow, so this sounds just perfect!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
January 8, 2016 at 4:59 amIt’s supposed to be in the single digits in Wisconsin next week so I have BIG plans to make multiple potfuls of this gorgeous soup! Seriously, I can practically taste how comforting and cozy it is!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Allergy Friendly Eats says
January 8, 2016 at 6:03 amThis soup looks so delicious! I love anything with sweet potatoes in it! There’s nothing better than cozy soup and cuddling with a new baby!
Natasha @ Salt and Lavender says
January 8, 2016 at 9:41 amYum, I could use a bowl of this about now. It’s snowing. I wish it was raining… that would mean it’s not currently -13C :P Yeah, I complain a lot. Your time with Josh sounds really really nice even though you are missing out on the skiing.
★★★★★
Kelly says
January 12, 2016 at 12:17 amIt’s been so cold here this week and this soup is just perfect for keeping us warm and cozy! I love the kale and sweet potatoes in here! Hope you are doing well, Natalie! :) I miss skiing too and haven’t gone since we had our oldest…but all the baby cuddles are totally worth it :)
Lulu says
June 12, 2016 at 1:24 amThank you for this lovely recipe! Threw together a super quick dinner tonight using our leftover spicy turkey sausage, but cut down the portions of sweet potato as my husband’s not a fan of starchy stuff.
It’s a new favorite and I look forward to making it again soon! :)
★★★★★
Natalie says
June 25, 2016 at 11:19 amYea! So glad you liked it. Thanks Lulu!
Mary says
December 5, 2016 at 3:39 pmOh my gosh, just made this, we love love love it. Will be a new go to for us. So delicious. I used a few green onions that I had, maybe 2 tbs as we are not big on onion, it was absolutely fabulous. Thank you.
Kaley says
January 22, 2017 at 2:53 pmDo you think you could make this in a slow-cooker? What adjustments would you make? Thanks!
Carol says
August 29, 2018 at 11:10 amI just made this and my sister and I absolutely loved it. I browned my onions and garlic first. I think that adds better flavor, and I did need to use more broth. But great recipe thank you!!!!
★★★★★
Natalie says
September 5, 2018 at 12:46 pmYea! So glad you and your sister liked it Carol! I love that you browned the onions and garlic fist, I’m going to try that next time. Thanks for letting me know you liked my recipe, you made my day!
Franny Fantastic says
September 27, 2018 at 5:45 pmI just served this to my parents as well as my toddler nieces. Both set loved this! I served it with a fresh French loaf. No leftovers.
Natalie says
October 1, 2018 at 1:52 pmI’m so glad you liked it Franny! And your family did too! So great with warm bread. Thanks for letting me know you liked my recipe, you made my day!
Stephanie B says
April 28, 2019 at 4:39 pmI love this recipe!! So easy and delicious. I’m making it for my second time tonight! I use about 6-7 cups of chicken broth instead of 4 for extra soupyness!
★★★★★
Natalie says
April 29, 2019 at 11:23 amSo glad you like it! Thanks Stephanie! I love a good brothy soup too. Thanks for taking the time to let me know you like my recipe! Means the world!
Emily says
August 26, 2019 at 5:58 pmMy toddler and I loved this. Getting her to eat anything green is quite challenging, so I am very impressed with this. I substituted frozen kale (steamed in microwave first) and thought it tasted great, I’ll definitely be making this again.
★★★★★
Natalie says
August 27, 2019 at 9:57 amI’m so happy to hear that! What a great mom you are making your toddler such a healthy meal! Way to go momma! Thanks for taking the time to let me know you liked my recipe. You made my day!