Creamy Cauliflower Sausage and Kale Soup Recipe
This creamy cauliflower sausage kale soup combines savory Italian sausage, crisp bacon, tender cauliflower, and nutritious kale in a rich and flavorful broth. Made with simple ingredients and ready in under an hour, this comforting American soup offers a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and mildly spicy flavors ideal for a hearty meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 12 oz. mild Italian sausage, removed from casing
- 3 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 ¼ pounds)
- 4 cups chopped curly kale
Liquids & Dairy
- 1 (32 oz.) carton chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
Seasonings
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Cook sausage and bacon: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-duty soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the mild Italian sausage and chopped bacon. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the sausage is browned and bacon is crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the cooked meat with a slotted spoon onto a plate and drain all but 2 tablespoons of grease from the pot.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add diced onions to the remaining grease in the pot. Cook over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds to release aroma without burning.
- Simmer cauliflower: Add cauliflower florets and chicken broth to the pot. Season with kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, uncovered, and cook for 15 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Puree the soup: Using either a high-powered blender or an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup until smooth and creamy.
- Add cream and greens: Stir in half and half and return the soup to a gentle simmer. Add the previously cooked sausage, bacon, and chopped kale. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the kale has wilted. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired for added heat. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, comforting cauliflower sausage kale soup.
Notes
- Sausage options: Mild Italian sausage provides a balanced flavor, but you can use hot sausage for extra spice or opt for leaner options such as turkey Italian sausage.
- Cream substitutions: Milk or full-fat coconut milk can be used instead of half and half for a different flavor or dairy-free option.
- Storage: Leftover soup should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-4 days. Freezing is not recommended due to the cream content which may separate upon thawing.
Keywords: cauliflower soup, sausage soup, kale soup, creamy soup, Italian sausage, bacon, healthy soup, comfort food, easy dinner
