Italian Sausage and Potato Soup

Italian sausage and potato soup is made with Italian pork sausage, Yukon Gold potatoes, onions, spinach, and a flavorful, seasoned broth.

This hearty sausage and potato soup is made with savory Italian sausage, tender potatoes, fresh spinach, and a seasoned broth. It’s a comforting, filling soup that’s perfect for chilly fall and winter evenings.

While this recipe is similar to the popular Italian soup Zuppa Toscana, I use fresh spinach instead of the traditional kale.

Spinach has a softer texture and milder flavor, and it wilts right into the broth without needing much cooking time. It’s a delicious alternative to the classic sausage and potato soup.

Ingredients

• Ground Italian Pork Sausage
• Small Yellow Onion
• Minced Garlic
• Tomato Paste
• Paprika
• Chicken Broth
• Yukon Gold Potatoes
• Spinach
• Dried Thyme
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Red Pepper Flakes, optional

How to Make Sausage and Potato Soup

• Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and onions and cook until the sausage is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, and thyme, coating the sausage and onions.

• Gradually pour in chicken broth, stirring to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Add the diced potatoes and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

• Stir in the fresh spinach and simmer for another 1-2 minutes, just until wilted.
• Add heavy whipping cream and heat through. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
• Serve warm with crusty bread or garlic bread.

Soup Tips

Choose the Right Sausage: Mild Italian pork sausage adds plenty of flavor, while hot Italian pork sausage gives the soup a little extra heat. Italian sausage is not the same as breakfast sausage.

Use Yukon Gold Potatoes: These potatoes have a naturally buttery flavor and hold their shape well during simmering. Russet potatoes can also be used, but they tend to break down more easily.

Add the Spinach Last: Fresh spinach only needs a minute or two to wilt. Adding it toward the end helps preserve its bright green color.

Add more cream: For a creamier soup, add more heavy whipping cream.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover sausage and potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat until warmed through. The potatoes may absorb some broth during storage, so add a splash of chicken broth if needed.

Check out my 52 Best Soups for Cold Weather to see a compilation of the coziest soups to warm you up.

If you’re looking for more Italian sausage recipes, my One-Pot Lasagna Soup is packed with Italian sausage, a Parmesan-tomato-based broth, pasta, and a creamy ricotta topping. Another great option is Hot Sausage Sandwich Boats.

For more cozy dinner ideas, try my Instant Pot Meatball and Potato Soup or Instant Pot Steak au Poivre Soup with tender beef and potatoes.