Our hearty, flavorful Italian Sausage and Potato Soup is a simple way to warm up on chilly evenings. This one-pot meal combines savory Italian sausage, tender potatoes, sautéed vegetables, and a splash of cream for a comforting bowl that’s easy to customize. It comes together quickly, stores well for leftovers, and makes a satisfying main for family dinners or casual entertaining.
Italian Sausage and Potato Soup
This Italian Sausage and Potato Soup is ideal for cold-weather cooking: it’s comforting, robust, and straightforward to prepare. The combination of seasoned sausage, earthy mushrooms, sweet carrots, and starchy potatoes creates a balanced bowl of flavor and texture. A touch of cream at the end smooths and rounds the broth, but you can leave it out for a lighter version.
Make it as written for a reliably delicious weeknight meal, or customize it—substitute sweet potatoes, swap in turkey sausage, or add leafy greens like spinach or kale during the last few minutes of simmering. Using hot Italian sausage or extra red pepper flakes will give the soup a satisfying kick.
Serve this soup hot with crusty bread, a simple green salad, or garlic bread for soaking up the broth. It also keeps and reheats well, making it great for meal prep and busy weekdays.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Bold, savory flavor – Italian sausage provides a rich, seasoned base that carries through every spoonful.
- One-pot convenience – Minimal cleanup and maximum comfort: everything cooks in a single large pot.
- Comforting and filling – Potatoes and vegetables make the soup hearty and satisfying.
- Easy to customize – Adjust the heat, change the vegetables, or swap proteins to suit your taste.
- Great leftovers – Flavors deepen overnight, and reheating is quick and simple.
Recipe Shopping List
Here’s a concise shopping list to prepare this soup. Quantities and full instructions appear in the recipe card below.
- Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- Mushrooms (cremini or button)
- Onion
- Carrots
- Potatoes (russet or Yukon Gold)
- Olive oil and butter
- Garlic (minced and granulated if desired)
- Italian seasoning and onion powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Bay leaf and fresh parsley
- Water or low-sodium broth
- Cream or a dairy-free alternative (optional)
How To Make This Recipe
Below is a clear overview of the cooking process. Full ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions are provided in the recipe card section so you can follow along while cooking.
- Brown the sausage. In a large stockpot, crumble and brown the Italian sausage until cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté the vegetables. Add olive oil and butter (if using), then add mushrooms, onion, carrots, and potatoes. Cook 5–6 minutes to develop flavor.
- Add seasonings and liquid. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, red pepper flakes (if using), bay leaf, parsley, black pepper, and water or broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Simmer until tender. Reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes and carrots are tender and flavors meld, about 45–50 minutes.
- Finish with cream. Remove from heat and stir in cream if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Recipe FAQ
Yes. The soup stores well and often tastes even better after a day in the refrigerator. Cool and transfer to airtight containers for up to 3–4 days.
Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through, or microwave in covered portions until steaming. Add a splash of water or broth if the soup thickened in the fridge.
Serve This With
- Grilled or toasted dinner rolls
- A crisp Greek-style salad
- Sandwiches or BLTs for a heartier meal
More Soup Recipes
- Ham and Potato Soup
- Smoked Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Jalapeño Popper Smoked Chicken Soup
- Beef Noodle Soup with Prime Rib
- Traeger Tomato Soup (from scratch)
- Traeger Pulled Pork Tortilla Soup
- Creamy Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage
- Smoked Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Smoked French Onion Soup
- Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
Italian Sausage and Potato Soup
Hearty and comforting, this soup features seasoned Italian sausage, vegetables, potatoes, and a touch of cream to round out the broth.
15 minutes
1 hour
1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 cups chopped mushrooms
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 large diced potato
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1½ tablespoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 6 cups water (or low-sodium broth)
- 4 tablespoons cream (optional)
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, brown the Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Add the mushrooms, onion, carrots, and potato to the pot and sauté for 5–6 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in granulated garlic, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, bay leaf, parsley, and water or broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender and flavors have blended, about 45–50 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cream if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 8 servings • Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving (approximate):
- Calories: 345
- Total Fat: 25g (Saturated Fat: 10g)
- Cholesterol: 48mg
- Sodium: 472mg
- Carbohydrates: 18g (Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g)
- Protein: 14g
Nutrition data provided here is an estimate.