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Creamy Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup

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A cozy and easy slow cooker soup featuring spicy Italian sausage, tender kale, and creamy broth, perfect for chilly evenings and fuss-free meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, spicy or mild, casing removed
  • 4 medium russet potatoes (about 1.5 pounds), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 4 cups chopped kale, stems removed
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. While sausage cooks, peel and cube potatoes, dice onion, mince garlic, and chop kale, removing tough stems.
  3. Transfer browned sausage to slow cooker. Add potatoes, onion, garlic, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until potatoes are tender.
  5. Add chopped kale and red pepper flakes during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Cover and continue cooking until kale is tender but still bright green.
  6. Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and black pepper to taste. If soup is too thick, add a splash of broth or water to loosen.
  7. Serve warm with crusty bread or a side salad.

Notes

Brown the sausage well to add depth of flavor. Use russet potatoes for a creamy texture. Add kale near the end to avoid mushiness. Adjust salt at the end as broth and sausage add saltiness. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk. For low-carb, replace potatoes with cauliflower florets. Freeze without cream and add fresh cream when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker soup, Zuppa Toscana, creamy soup, Italian sausage soup, kale soup, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://grubella.com/creamy-slow-cooker-zuppa-toscana-soup-recipe-easy-and-cozy/