Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Potato Soup

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Ingredients
1 pound Spicy or Sweet Italian Sausage, casings removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 large carrots, rinsed and chopped
6-8 small Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1″ cubes
1 quart chicken stock
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Handful of freshly chopped parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Preheat one tablespoon oil in a large, heavy skillet to medium-high on the stove top. Add sausage and break into chunks with the back of a wooden spoon. Cook until sausage is no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked through, transfer sausage to a 4 quart slow cooker and drain fat from the pan. 

In the same pan, add the remaining oil. Add onions, carrots and celery and cook until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Once vegetables are cooked, add a splash of stock to the pan, making sure to scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan with the back of a wooden spoon. Add vegetable mixture to the slow cooker.

Add potatoes, remaining stock, Italian seasoning and cream or half-and-half to slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, until the potatoes become fork-tender and the soup begins to thicken. Taste to adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley and serve.

 

 

Recipe Notes:

  • Feel free to customize this soup to suit your taste preferences. You can use hot Italian sausage for a spicier kick, or mild sausage if you prefer a milder flavor. Similarly, you can adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the level of heat in the soup.
  • If you’re short on time, you can prepare the soup ingredients the night before and store them in the refrigerator. In the morning, simply transfer everything to the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you go about your day.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This soup also freezes well, so you can portion it out and freeze it for future meals.

 

 

Nutrition Information:

(Note: Nutrition information is approximate and may vary depending on specific ingredients used.)

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
  • Sodium: 900mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3g
  • Sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 15g

This Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Potato Soup is sure to become a favorite in your household. With its rich, comforting flavors and easy preparation, it’s the perfect recipe to warm you up on a cold day or satisfy your cravings for Italian comfort food. Give it a try and let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting while you enjoy the delicious results!

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