Creamy Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup Recipe

When I first tasted this Creamy Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup Recipe during a cozy winter trip through Tuscany, Italy, I instantly fell in love with its comforting yet sophisticated flavor. 

Italian cuisine is known for blending simple, rustic ingredients into dishes that warm both body and soul, and this soup is the perfect example. 

With earthy sage, smoked paprika, and zesty sausage, it carries that signature Tuscan warmth that makes every spoonful feel like a countryside hug in a bowl. 🇮🇹

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to create this vibrant and flavorful soup.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil – Divided for cooking the sausage and sautéing the vegetables.
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage – Use your favorite kind, whether it’s pork, chicken, or a plant-based alternative.
• 1 large white onion – Diced to create a sweet, aromatic base for the soup.
• 6 cloves garlic – Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor, but pre-minced will work too.
• 4 cups vegetable broth – This forms the liquid base. You can also use chicken broth if you prefer.
• 5 leaves of fresh sage – This herb adds a wonderful earthy, slightly peppery flavor that complements the sweet potato.
• 2 carrots – Thinly sliced to add a touch of sweetness and color.
• 1 1/2 pounds sweet potato – Peeled and diced into bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking.
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika – This spice gives the soup a smoky depth that is absolutely essential.
• 1 (15-ounce) can white beans – Rinsed and drained. Cannellini or Great Northern beans work well for added protein and texture.
• 1 (15-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk – Use canned, full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest results and a subtle sweetness that balances the other flavors.
• 2 large handfuls chopped fresh kale – Use fresh kale, as frozen can become mushy. Remove the tough stems before chopping.
• Salt and freshly-cracked black pepper – To taste, for seasoning the soup perfectly.

Note: This recipe yields approximately 6 to 8 servings.

Variations

This soup is wonderfully adaptable. Here are some simple variations to make it your own.

• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes along with the garlic to give your soup a little kick of heat.
• Use Different Greens: If you’re not a fan of kale, fresh baby spinach or collard greens are excellent substitutes. Stir them in at the end until just wilted.
• Swap the Sausage: Andouille sausage would be a fantastic, zesty alternative to Italian sausage. For a non-spicy option, a mild breakfast sausage also works well.
• Dairy-Based Creaminess: If you prefer not to use coconut milk, you can stir in about a cup of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end for a rich, creamy finish.

Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Equipment You Need

• Large stockpot or Dutch oven: Essential for browning the sausage and building the soup all in one pot, which simplifies cleanup.
• Slotted spoon: Useful for transferring the cooked sausage out of the pot while leaving the rendered fat behind.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for crumbling the sausage and stirring ingredients without scratching your cookware.
• Chef’s knife and cutting board: For efficiently dicing the onion, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

How to Make Creamy Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup?

This delicious soup comes together in just a few straightforward steps, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Brown the Sausage

Start by heating one tablespoon of olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground sausage and use a wooden spoon to crumble it as it cooks. Continue cooking until it’s nicely browned all over. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a separate plate, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pot.

Sauté the Aromatics

Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the same stockpot. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.

Simmer the Soup

Pour in the vegetable broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the fresh sage leaves, sliced carrots, diced sweet potato, smoked paprika, and rinsed white beans. Return half of the cooked sausage to the pot and stir to combine everything. Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Finish and Season

Once the sweet potatoes are cooked, stir in the can of coconut milk and the chopped fresh kale. Continue to cook for just 1-2 minutes more, until the kale has softened slightly. Remove the pot from the heat and discard the sage leaves. Taste the soup and season generously with salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm, garnished with the remaining sausage.

Tuscany, Italy: The Heart of Rustic Comfort

In the rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy, hearty soups like this Creamy Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup are a cherished part of local cuisine. 

Tuscan cooking celebrates simplicity, using farm-fresh produce, herbs, and quality meats to create soul-warming meals. 

This dish captures that essence beautifully a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. 

In Tuscany, such soups are often enjoyed during the colder months, bringing families together around warm, comforting bowls. 🇮🇹

Additional Tips for Making This Recipe Better

Having made this a few times now, I’ve picked up a few tricks that really take this soup to the next level.

• I highly recommend reserving half of the crumbled sausage to use as a topping. It adds a wonderful textural contrast and an extra pop of savory flavor to each spoonful.
• Don’t be shy with the smoked paprika! I find its smoky flavor is a key component that really makes this soup special and pairs beautifully with the sweet potato.
• To save time on prep, I often chop all my vegetables before I even start cooking. Having the onion, garlic, carrots, and sweet potato ready to go makes the whole process feel much smoother.
• When adding the kale, I just stir it in until it wilts. Overcooking it can make it lose its vibrant color and pleasant texture, so a minute or two is all it needs.

How to Serve Creamy Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup?

In Tuscany, soups like this are deeply tied to the region’s farming roots, where locals have long celebrated the art of turning humble ingredients into hearty, flavorful meals. 

This creamy sweet potato and sausage soup reflects that same tradition, wholesome, seasonal, and soul-satisfying. 

Whether served beside crusty Italian bread or enjoyed by a Tuscan fireplace, it’s a dish that captures the rustic heart of Italy’s culinary landscape.

Nutritional Information

Here is a general overview of the nutritional facts per serving for this recipe.

• Calories: Varies based on sausage type, approx. 450-550 kcal
• Protein: Varies, approx. 20-25g
• Carbohydrates: Approx. 35-40g
• Fat: Varies, approx. 25-30g

Make Ahead and Storage

This soup is fantastic for meal prep and leftovers. Here’s how to store it properly.

Storing: Allow the soup to cool down to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing: Let the soup cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating: Gently reheat the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. The soup may thicken upon standing, so feel free to add a splash of broth to reach your desired consistency.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Here are a few of the top reasons this soup is sure to become a household favorite.

• Perfect Balance of Flavors: The combination of zesty sausage, sweet potatoes, earthy sage, and smoky paprika creates a complex and incredibly satisfying taste experience.
• Hearty and Wholesome: Packed with vegetables, protein-rich beans, and kale, this soup is a complete and filling meal that will leave you feeling nourished and content.
• Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in about 35 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a delicious and impressive weeknight dinner.
• Easily Adaptable: It’s simple to make this recipe vegan by using plant-based sausage, and it’s naturally gluten-free (just check your sausage label), so it can be enjoyed by everyone.