Hearty & Comforting Potato Leek Soup with Italian Sausage: Your New Favorite Winter Meal
There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade soup to chase away the chill of a cold day. As the leaves fall and the temperatures drop, our kitchens transform into havens of warmth and delicious aromas. This incredibly cozy and deeply satisfying Potato Leek Soup with Italian Sausage is the quintessential comfort food, perfect for making those long winter evenings feel a little brighter and much more delicious. It’s a robust, flavorful, and incredibly easy-to-make dish that truly embodies the spirit of comfort.
While my younger self might have turned up her nose at a bowl of soup, I’ve certainly made up for lost time in my adult years. And thankfully, my own children have inherited a love for all things soupy, enthusiastically embracing every bowl I put in front of them!
Soup season is officially here, and we’re embracing it with open arms. When rain patters against the windows, snow blankets the ground, or a crisp chill fills the air, very few things offer as much genuine warmth and comfort as a hearty bowl of soup. And this particular recipe, brimming with wholesome winter vegetables like creamy potatoes, sweet carrots, and delicate leeks, all perfectly complemented by the savory kick of Italian sausage, hits all the right notes. It’s truly the perfect remedy for a chilly day!
Beyond its incredible flavor and the nourishing goodness of its healthy ingredients, this soup boasts another fantastic quality: like many great soup recipes, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare. It’s a wonderful addition to your weekly meal rotation, offering a satisfying and well-rounded meal with minimal fuss. We’re confident that you and your family will fall in love with this potato, leek, and sausage soup just as much as we have!
Table of Contents
- Ingredients You’ll Need for This Delicious Soup
- Customize Your Potato Leek & Sausage Soup
- How to Make This Hearty Potato, Leek, and Sausage Soup
- Effortless Slow Cooker Instructions
- Perfect Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Get the Full Recipe Details
- More Cozy Soup Recipes to Explore
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Delicious Soup
Crafting a truly memorable soup starts with fresh, quality ingredients. This Potato Leek and Italian Sausage Soup relies on a straightforward list of wholesome components that come together to create a symphony of flavors. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to gather:
- **Italian Sausage:** The star of the show! You can choose between spicy for a kick or mild for a more mellow flavor. It adds a rich, savory depth that perfectly complements the vegetables.
- **Leeks:** These delicate members of the onion family provide a subtle, sweet onion flavor without being overpowering. Remember to clean them thoroughly to remove any grit.
- **Carrots:** Adding a touch of sweetness and vibrant color, carrots are a classic soup ingredient that also contributes essential nutrients.
- **Potatoes:** For that comforting, hearty texture. Yukon Gold or Red Bliss potatoes are excellent choices as they hold their shape well and offer a naturally buttery flavor.
- **Garlic:** Essential for building a robust flavor base in almost any savory dish.
- **Chicken or Vegetable Broth:** The liquid foundation of our soup, choose a good quality broth for the best results.
- **Dry White Wine:** (Optional, but highly recommended!) A splash of dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio adds a layer of complexity and acidity, deglazing the pan and enhancing all the other flavors. Don’t worry if you prefer to omit it, simply replace it with more broth.
- **Bay Leaf & Fresh Thyme:** These aromatics infuse the soup with a wonderful herbaceous fragrance and taste, making it feel truly gourmet.
- **Milk or Cream:** A touch of milk or heavy cream at the end creates a silky, luxurious texture, rounding out the flavors beautifully.
- **Salt & Pepper:** To season generously and enhance every ingredient.
Gathering these simple yet powerful ingredients is the first step towards a truly exceptional meal.
Customize Your Potato Leek & Sausage Soup
One of the best aspects of this Potato Leek Soup with Italian Sausage recipe is its incredible versatility. While it’s absolutely delicious as written, don’t hesitate to get creative and tailor it to your personal preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. This soup is designed to be wonderfully adaptable!
Here are some variation suggestions to inspire you:
- **Sausage Swaps:** Experiment with different types of sausage to change the entire profile of the soup. You can certainly stick with classic sweet/mild or spicy Italian sausage for its rich fennel notes. However, breakfast or country sausage would lend a more rustic, homey flavor, while a sliced kielbasa sausage could introduce a smoky, Eastern European twist. Feel free to use what you love or what’s readily available!
- **Add More Veggies:** This soup is a fantastic vehicle for extra vegetables. Beyond the potatoes, carrots, and leeks, consider adding sweet potatoes or butternut squash for an extra layer of sweetness and creaminess. Broccoli florets or hearty greens like kale or spinach (added towards the end) would boost the nutritional content and add delightful texture.
- **For a Creamier Indulgence:** If you’re craving an even richer, more luxurious soup, you can easily adjust the dairy. Swap out a portion of the chicken broth for more heavy cream or milk. Stirring in some grated Parmesan cheese at the end will also melt beautifully, adding a salty, umami depth that is truly irresistible.
- **Wine or No Wine:** The recipe calls for dry white wine, which adds a fantastic layer of subtle acidity and complexity to the broth. However, if you prefer to avoid alcohol or simply don’t have any on hand, you can absolutely leave it out. Just increase the amount of chicken or vegetable broth by an equivalent amount to maintain the liquid consistency.
No matter how you choose to customize it, just one thing remains non-negotiable: be sure you have some crusty bread on the side for dunking! It’s the perfect accompaniment to soak up every last drop of this glorious soup.
How to Make This Hearty Potato, Leek, and Sausage Soup
Creating this delicious Potato, Leek, and Italian Sausage Soup is a straightforward process, broken down into a few simple steps. Follow along to achieve a rich, flavorful, and wonderfully comforting meal.
- Brown the Italian Sausage for Maximum Flavor. Begin by placing your Italian sausage in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Allow the sausage to brown thoroughly and caramelize, resisting the urge to stir constantly. Those deep golden-brown bits that form on the bottom of the pan are crucial for developing rich, savory flavors (this is called fond!). Once fully cooked, transfer the browned sausage to a paper-towel lined plate to drain any excess fat, and set it aside. We’ll add it back in later.
- Sauté the Aromatic Vegetables. With the flavorful sausage drippings still in the pot (drain off most if there’s excessive grease, leaving about a tablespoon), add a little olive oil or butter if needed. Toss in your chopped leeks and carrots. Cook them over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and achieve a light golden-brown color, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. This step helps to bring out their natural sweetness. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer with Broth, Wine, and Potatoes. Now, it’s time to build the liquid base of your soup. Pour in the chicken broth and (if using) the dry white wine. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits – this “deglazing” step adds immense flavor to the broth. Add your chopped potatoes, the bay leaf, and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook, partially covered, until the potatoes are perfectly tender when pierced with a fork, which typically takes around 20 minutes depending on the size of your potato chunks.
- Finish with Cream and Thyme. Once your potatoes are beautifully tender, it’s time for the finishing touches. Stir in the milk or heavy cream, which will add a lovely richness and creamy body to the soup. Return the browned Italian sausage back into the pot, ensuring it’s well distributed. Finally, add the fresh thyme sprigs (or dried thyme, if using) for a burst of aromatic freshness. Stir gently to combine all the wonderful flavors.
- Serve Warm and Enjoy. Your comforting Potato Leek and Italian Sausage Soup is now ready! Serve it immediately while it’s hot and inviting. If you’re not serving right away, you can keep it warm over very low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent anything from sticking. Before ladling into bowls, remember to carefully remove and discard the bay leaf. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or a swirl of extra cream if desired, and get ready to savor every spoonful!
Effortless Slow Cooker Instructions
For those days when you need a delicious meal with minimal hands-on time, this Potato Leek and Italian Sausage Soup adapts beautifully to a slow cooker. While you can certainly just dump all ingredients in, I highly recommend taking a few extra minutes at the start to brown your sausage and sauté your vegetables on the stovetop first. This crucial step develops a deeper, richer flavor profile that truly elevates the soup beyond what simply slow cooking can achieve.
Once you’ve completed the browning of the sausage and the brief sauté of the vegetables (as per steps 1 and 2 of the stovetop method), simply add all the ingredients – including the cooked sausage, sautéed veggies, broth, wine (if using), potatoes, bay leaf, and seasonings – into your slow cooker. Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are wonderfully fork-tender and the flavors have melded together beautifully. Just before serving, stir in the milk or heavy cream and the fresh thyme. Remember to remove the bay leaf. The slow cooker method makes this soup an ideal option for busy weeknights or lazy weekends!
Perfect Serving Suggestions & Pairings
This Potato Leek and Italian Sausage Soup is incredibly hearty and stands alone as a complete, satisfying meal. However, if you’re looking to elevate your dining experience or simply want to add a delightful accompaniment or garnish, here are a few suggestions to round out your meal:
- **Crusty Bread is a Must:** As mentioned, this is non-negotiable! Pick up a rustic, store-bought loaf of artisan bread, a tangy sourdough, or a classic baguette. Its sturdy crust and soft interior are perfect for soaking up every drop of this rich, flavorful broth.
- **Homemade Bread for Extra Comfort:** Take your comfort factor up a notch by serving with a batch of freshly baked easy buttermilk biscuits, soft and fluffy white dinner rolls, or even some garlic bread. The aroma alone will make your kitchen feel incredibly welcoming.
- **A Fresh Side Salad:** To balance the richness of the soup, a light and vibrant green salad makes an excellent companion. A simple mixed greens salad with a zesty vinaigrette, or a more substantial option from our salad recipes category, would provide a refreshing contrast.
- **Creative Toppings & Garnishes:** Enhance both the visual appeal and the flavor of your soup with a variety of toppings. Consider crunchy homemade croutons, a sprinkle of extra fresh herbs (like parsley or chives), a dollop of creamy plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangy finish, or even a dash of red pepper flakes for an extra touch of heat if you used mild sausage.
However you choose to serve it, this soup is sure to be a hit at your table!
Get the Full Recipe Details
Ready to make this delightful soup yourself? Below you’ll find the complete, printable recipe card with all the precise measurements, detailed instructions, and helpful notes to guide you through every step. This recipe was originally shared in December 2016, and has been a beloved favorite ever since!
Instructions
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In a large pot brown sausage over medium high heat until cooked all the way through, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer sausage to a paper towel lined plate and set aside.
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Add olive oil, leeks, and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
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Add the broth, wine, potatoes, bay leaf, thyme, and more salt and pepper. Bring to boil and cook until potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes. Return the sausage to the pot and stir in the milk or cream.
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Serve with crusty bread, or as desired.
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Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. The soup is even better the next day!
Notes
- Any dry (not sweet) white wine ,such as Sauvingnon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, will be fine in this recipe. If you prefer to not cook with wine, simply leave it out and increase broth to 5-6 cups.
- Gold/Yukon potatoes are my favorite for this recipe because of their buttery flavor and creamy texture. If using russet potatoes, peel them before chopping.
- I prefer the flavor of fresh thyme in this recipe, but 1 teaspoon of dried thyme can be used instead.
More Cozy Soup Recipes to Explore
If you’re anything like us, once soup season starts, you can’t get enough! Here are a few more delightful and hearty soup recipes from our kitchen that you might love to try next. Each one offers unique flavors and is perfect for warming up on a chilly day.