Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Kale Soup with Sweet Potatoes: Your Ultimate Healthy & Hearty Fall Dinner
Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with this incredibly satisfying Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Kale Soup, featuring tender sweet potatoes. This recipe offers a perfect balance of hearty ingredients and light, nourishing qualities, making it an ideal choice for a wholesome fall dinner. Not only is it deliciously comforting, but it’s also Paleo-friendly and low-carb, catering to various dietary needs. The best part? Simply toss all your ingredients into the crock pot, and a delicious, homemade meal awaits you with minimal effort.
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Originally published on August 31, 2017, this particular soup has consistently remained a favorite in my kitchen. It’s my go-to recipe, especially when I feel the need for a nourishing reset after a busy period or a holiday weekend indulgence. Its simplicity and wholesome ingredients make it a perfect antidote to everyday chaos.
As many parents can attest, the start of the school year often brings with it an unwelcome guest: sickness. It seems like clockwork; the first few weeks back in routine, and suddenly, sniffles and sore throats make their rounds. Just last week, our household experienced this firsthand, battling two cases of strep throat and one viral infection. This meant three separate doctor visits for three different children – a whirlwind of appointments! The saga began, as it often does, in preschool, and mercifully, the parents were spared the worst of it, though my allergies have certainly been acting up, leaving my sinuses feeling congested. During such times, soup invariably becomes my culinary comfort and remedy, offering warmth and vital nutrients.
While my two sons aren’t typically soup enthusiasts, my daughter and husband wholeheartedly embrace a warm bowl. And I felt especially good serving them this delightful Italian Sausage and Kale Soup with Sweet Potatoes. This particular recipe comes from my dear friend Natalie’s fantastic cookbook, The Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking. What makes this soup so exceptional is its foundation of truly good, wholesome ingredients. Every spoonful delivers comfort and essential nutrients, making it a perfect choice for boosting wellness when you need it most. It’s a prime example of how delicious and satisfying healthy eating can be, especially when the ease of a slow cooker is involved, allowing flavors to meld beautifully with minimal fuss.
Crafting a Healthy and Delicious Sausage and Kale Soup
When it comes to sausage and kale soup, there’s a vast array of recipes out there. However, many versions tend to be cream-based, resulting in a heavier, richer soup than I typically prefer. I’m personally not a huge fan of overly creamy soups, which is precisely why this particular interpretation of Italian sausage and kale soup has become a staple in my home. It strikes the perfect balance of flavor and lightness, making it both satisfying and healthy without feeling indulgent. This non-creamy approach allows the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through beautifully.
The preparation for this slow cooker marvel is incredibly straightforward, perfect for busy weeknights. You begin by browning the Italian chicken sausage in a skillet before adding it to your slow cooker. This crucial step helps to develop a rich depth of flavor and texture for the sausage, adding a savory foundation to the soup. For ultimate convenience and to minimize cleanup, I highly recommend using a stove-top browning crock pot (<– affiliate link). This ingenious kitchen appliance allows you to brown your meat directly in the slow cooker insert on your stovetop, completely eliminating the need for an extra skillet and saving you precious time on cleanup. It’s an absolute game-changer for recipes that require an initial browning step, streamlining the entire cooking process significantly. Once the sausage is beautifully browned and ready, everything else simply goes into the crock pot, and you’re all set to let your slow cooker work its magic, transforming simple ingredients into a comforting and healthy meal with very little hands-on time.
These are the essential ingredients you’ll need for this flavorful and nutritious Italian sausage and kale soup:
- 2 tablespoons ghee or bacon drippings (or opt for a light cooking oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil, if you’re not strictly following a paleo diet)
- 1 lb bulk uncooked sweet Italian chicken sausage, providing lean protein and delicious flavor
- 1 medium onion, expertly diced, for a foundational aromatic sweetness
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced, adding a pungent, savory depth
- 1 large sweet potato, carefully peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces, contributing natural sweetness, fiber, and vibrant color
- 1/2 large bunch kale, with the leaves removed from tough stems and cut into bite-sized pieces for easy enjoyment and a boost of essential vitamins
- 1 1/2 quarts high-quality chicken stock, forming the rich liquid base of the soup
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, for a subtle tang that brightens and balances the flavors beautifully
- A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, for a touch of warmth and gentle spice that enhances the overall profile (adjust to your heat preference)
As the seasons begin to shift and we move into the cooler embrace of fall, I find myself eagerly getting back into my cherished habit of making soup at least once a week. While I genuinely enjoy soup throughout the entire year, there’s something about autumn that just inherently screams “soup weather,” isn’t there? It’s more than just a seasonal craving; it’s a practical choice for busy households, offering both comfort and convenience. Soups like this make for incredibly easy and satisfying lunches and dinners to heat up, providing a healthy and comforting meal without the fuss of elaborate preparation. Beyond its delicious taste, cooking soup in larger batches allows for fantastic meal prep, ensuring you have wholesome options readily available throughout the week, saving time and encouraging healthier eating habits. Some of my other beloved weekly soup recipes include this hearty Beef and Tomato Vegetable Soup and the ever-so-comforting Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup, both perfect for chilly evenings and providing nourishing goodness.
Discovering The Big Book Of Paleo Slow Cooking
This fantastic Italian Sausage and Kale Soup recipe is a true gem from my friend Natalie’s — from the popular blog Perry’s Plate — very first cookbook, The Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking. I genuinely couldn’t be more thrilled and proud for her incredible achievement with this publication! It’s clear from my other recipes and culinary preferences that I don’t strictly adhere to a paleo diet myself. However, that absolutely did not deter me from discovering and marking countless recipes in this book that I am eager to try and make for my family. This comprehensive cookbook boasts an impressive collection of 200 paleo slow cooker recipes, each thoughtfully crafted to be whole-food based and naturally free from gluten and dairy. It’s a treasure trove of healthy, convenient meals that simplify cooking without compromising on flavor or nutritional value.
Even if gluten and dairy aren’t strict dietary concerns for you or your family, as they aren’t for mine, the recipes in Natalie’s book are remarkably adaptable. Simple substitutions and additions can easily tailor them to your personal preferences and pantry staples. For instance, I don’t regularly cook with ghee, which is a common ingredient in many paleo recipes, so I don’t typically have it on hand. Instead, I simply use my preferred cooking oil that I always keep in my pantry, such as olive oil or avocado oil. This inherent flexibility makes the cookbook accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience, demonstrating that healthy eating doesn’t have to be rigid or complicated. It truly offers something for everyone, whether you’re strictly paleo, curious about whole foods, or simply looking for delicious, easy-to-make slow cooker meals. The focus on wholesome ingredients and simple preparation methods makes it a valuable addition to any kitchen.
My personal copy of The Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking is already a testament to its appeal, with numerous sticky tabs marking the pages of recipes I simply cannot wait to prepare. The variety and creativity within its pages are truly inspiring, promising many delicious and wholesome meals to come for my family and me.
Some of the exciting recipes already ‘on deck’ and waiting to be tried from this incredible collection include:
- Chipotle Beef and Avocado Soup – sounds like a flavorful, hearty option with a creamy finish.
- Citrus Pork Chili with Mango – an intriguing blend of sweet, savory, and spicy notes.
- Chicken Tikka Masala with Cauliflower – a healthy and comforting twist on a beloved classic Indian dish.
- BBQ Bacon Bison Meatballs – perfect for a protein-packed meal or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- Italian Balsamic BBQ Meatloaf – a creative and delicious take on traditional meatloaf with a tangy glaze.
- Sweet Jalapeno-Pineapple Pulled Pork – promising a delightful balance of heat and tropical sweetness, ideal for sandwiches or bowls.
Seriously, doesn’t everything sound incredibly delicious and tempting? This cookbook is a fantastic resource for expanding your culinary repertoire with wholesome, easy-to-make meals, proving that paleo cooking can be diverse and exciting.
I hope you are all feeling fantastic and enjoying a wonderful week filled with good food and good company! May your slow cooker bring you as much joy and ease as it does for me.
Exploring More Healthy Soup Recipes for Every Season
Soup isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary strategy, especially when my goal is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, trim a few pounds, or simply nourish my body with wholesome ingredients. It’s my ultimate go-to for comfort, health, and convenience. The beauty of soup lies in its versatility and how easily it can be packed with vegetables, lean proteins, and flavorful broths. I find myself frequently returning to a few tried-and-true favorites, each offering unique flavors and nutritional benefits, making meal planning a breeze. Among these are the robust Italian Vegetable Beef Soup, the deeply satisfying Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup, the vibrant Italian Tomato and Lentil Soup, and the zesty Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup. Each of these offers a diverse range of flavors that keep mealtime exciting and nutritious, perfect for any day of the week.
My soup-making adventures don’t stop there! I’m constantly on the lookout for new and exciting recipes to add to my rotation, broadening my culinary horizons and keeping things fresh in the kitchen. Currently, I’m eager to dive into making this flavorful Beef Taco Quinoa Soup, which sounds like a fantastic way to enjoy my favorite taco flavors in a comforting and nutritious soup form. Additionally, the Fall Vegetable Quinoa Soup has caught my eye as another perfect seasonal addition, promising a medley of nourishing vegetables and hearty quinoa, ideal for embracing the colder months. Soups truly offer endless possibilities for healthy, delicious, and easy meals, making them an indispensable and versatile part of a balanced diet, capable of adapting to any craving or dietary preference.
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Kale Soup with Sweet Potatoes Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Kale Soup with Sweet Potatoes
Author: Aggies Kitchen
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Soup
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Paleo
This Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Kale Soup with Sweet Potatoes is hearty yet perfect for a light fall dinner. Paleo friendly and low carb. Throw all your ingredients in the crock pot and dinner is set!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ghee or bacon drippings
- 1 lb bulk uncooked sweet Italian chicken sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 large bunch kale, leaves removed from stems and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 1/2 quarts chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat the ghee or bacon drippings (or your preferred cooking oil) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken sausage to the pan and break it up into small, even bits as it cooks thoroughly. This step is crucial for developing flavor and texture before slow cooking.
- When the majority of the sausage is cooked through and nicely browned, add the diced onion to the pan. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften and turn translucent. Then, add the finely minced garlic and cook for another minute or so until fragrant. Transfer the entire sausage and onion mixture to a 4-quart slow cooker.
- Into the slow cooker with the sausage mixture, add the peeled and cubed sweet potato pieces, the bite-sized kale leaves, the rich chicken stock, the red wine vinegar for a subtle zest and brightness, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of warmth.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the ‘low’ setting for a duration of 6 to 7 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and the vegetables to become wonderfully tender. Alternatively, for a quicker cook time, set it to ‘high’ for 3 to 4 hours.
- Before serving, taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may wish to add a bit more salt to taste, or another splash of red wine vinegar to brighten the flavors, to suit your personal preference. Serve warm and enjoy your wholesome, homemade meal!