Healthy Tuscan Soup Recipe

Introduction

This Healthy Tuscan Soup is a comforting and nutritious meal perfect for chilly days. Packed with tender turkey sausage, hearty potatoes, and vibrant kale, it offers rich flavors without too much fuss. It’s a great way to enjoy a warm bowl of wholesome goodness in under an hour.

Ingredients

• 1 lb turkey sausage (or ground turkey for lean option)
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 4 golden potatoes (diced thick, about 2 ½ cups when chopped)
• ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 4 cups kale (chopped roughly)
• 1 cup half and half
• ¾ cup carrot (diced into circles or half moons, not too thick)
• ½ cup celery (medium diced)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown onion (diced)
• 1 tablespoon butter (unsalted preferred)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the turkey sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pot for flavor.
2. Step 2: Return the pot to the heat and add the butter along with the reserved sausage drippings. Add diced carrots, celery, and onion, then season with salt and black pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and are fragrant.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir well to coat them evenly.
4. Step 4: Slowly pour in the chicken or vegetable broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Gradually add the half and half, then stir in the diced potatoes.
5. Step 5: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
6. Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Return the cooked turkey sausage to the pot, add the chopped kale, and simmer on low until the kale wilts and becomes tender.
7. Step 7: Once cooked through, serve the soup hot. It pairs wonderfully with ciabatta or fresh rye bread. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use ground turkey as a leaner alternative to sausage for a lighter soup.
• Swap kale for spinach or Swiss chard if you prefer a different leafy green.
• For extra richness, stir in a little grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
• If you like a bit more heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes during the sauté step.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much. This soup does not freeze well because of the potatoes and cream.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, substitute the turkey sausage with extra vegetables or use plant-based sausage alternatives. Use vegetable broth to keep it vegetarian-friendly.

Can I use frozen kale in this recipe?

Frozen kale can be used, but add it toward the end of cooking and allow extra time for it to thaw and soften in the hot soup.

Healthy Tuscan Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 60 reviews

• Author: Matteo
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

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Description

A hearty and healthy Tuscan soup featuring lean turkey sausage, nutrient-rich kale, tender golden potatoes, and a creamy broth base. This comforting soup is perfect for a cozy meal and combines savory flavors with wholesome ingredients.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat

• 1 lb turkey sausage (or ground turkey for lean option)

Broth & Dairy

• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Vegetables

• 4 golden potatoes, diced thick (about 2 ½ cups when chopped)
• ¾ cup brown onion, diced
• ¾ cup carrot, diced into circles or half moons
• ½ cup celery, medium diced
• 4 cups kale, roughly chopped

Other Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Brown the sausage: Heat a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the turkey sausage (or ground turkey) and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess grease, retaining about 1 tablespoon for added flavor.
2. Sauté the vegetables: Return the pot to heat and add the butter along with the reserved sausage drippings. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion. Season with salt and black pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and release their fragrance.
3. Add the flour: Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir thoroughly to coat them evenly, which will help thicken the soup later.
4. Stir in the broth & half-and-half: Slowly pour in the chicken or vegetable broth while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Gradually add the half-and-half, then stir in the diced potatoes to incorporate all ingredients uniformly.
5. Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
6. Final adjustments: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Add the cooked turkey sausage back into the pot, followed by the chopped kale. Continue simmering on low until the kale wilts and becomes tender.
7. Serve & enjoy: Once all ingredients are cooked through, ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. This soup pairs wonderfully with ciabatta bread or fresh rye bread for a complete meal.

Notes

• You can substitute turkey sausage with ground turkey for a leaner option.
• Use vegetable broth to keep the soup pescatarian friendly, or chicken broth for a richer flavor.
• Adjust the amount of half-and-half to make the soup creamier or lighter as preferred.
• For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch slurry.
• Kale can be swapped with spinach or Swiss chard if preferred.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 1 month.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Tuscan

Keywords: Tuscan soup, turkey sausage soup, healthy soup, kale soup, potato soup, creamy soup, easy weeknight dinner