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A comforting bowl of Crockpot Sausage and Kale Soup, rich with vegetables and broth.

Hearty Slow Cooker Sausage and Kale Soup

This hearty slow cooker soup features savory Italian sausage and nutritious kale, combined with chunky vegetables in a rich broth. Perfect for a comforting meal, it's easy to prepare and cooks to perfection in your slow cooker.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Skillet

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb Italian Sausage (mild or hot, ground or links sliced)
  • 1 yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes undrained
  • 2 Yukon Gold or red potatoes diced
  • 2 carrots sliced or diced
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 cups fresh kale stemmed and roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Cooking Steps

  • Cook the Italian sausage in a large skillet or multi-cooker until browned, then drain excess fat.
  • Transfer the sausage and add onion, garlic, potatoes, carrots, celery, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the slow cooker.
  • Stir well, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until vegetables are tender.
  • Stir in the fresh kale about 30 minutes before serving and continue cooking until wilted.
  • Optionally, stir in heavy cream during the last 15-30 minutes for a richer soup.
  • Taste, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve warm with crusty bread or Parmesan cheese.

Notes

This soup is even better the next day! You can adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the red pepper flakes. For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage and chicken broth, replacing them with plant-based sausage and vegetable broth.