A white bowl of Kale Parsnip & Sausage Soup. The bowl sits on a white towel with red stripes. A spoon and two pieces of bread lay beside the bowl.

Kale and Sausage Soup

I’m not sure what I like best about this Kale and Sausage Soup: the fact that it’s hearty and nutritious, or that it comes together in less than half an hour. Whatever the case, make sure you have some fresh bread to go along with it.

A white bowl of Kale Parsnip & Sausage Soup. The bowl sits on a white towel with red stripes. A spoon and two pieces of bread lay beside the bowl.
Kale and Sausage Soup

Cold weather calls for a delicious soup, and Kale and Sausage Soup includes everything that you need without being time-consuming to create. The leeks, parsnips, kale, and cannellini beans pair perfectly with the protein-packed Kielbasa sausage.

A white bowl of Kale Parsnip & Sausage Soup. Bread with butter sits beside the bowl as well as in the background.

This post first appeared on December 2, 2022, as part of the Simple Sundays series. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen!

My stomach protested at the end of the Thanksgiving gluttony. After nearly a week of endless eating with my family, it was time to scale back to simpler meals and lighter fare. Besides, my feet were also tired of standing in front of the stove.

While I rested, home life slowly returned to normal, and routines resumed. And then the rain came.

Downpours washed over the hills and dark clouds settled into the valley, barely letting the sun peek through. The cascading flow of water alternated with the melodic hum of lighter rain. The dog could not be persuaded to go outside – even when coaxed with a sliver of prosciutto.

Three whole parsnips and chopped up leeks sit on a circular wooden cutting board.

Winter vegetables can really fill in the gaps during these times – giving you fresh seasonal ingredients to make delicious nutritious meals. Leeks, parsnips, and kale all fit this category. So I grabbed my cutting board and got to work.

Chopped up leeks sit on a cutting board, with parsnips in the background.  Ready to make Kale and Sausage Soup.

Kale and Sausage Soup

Soup. It’s what is necessary this time of the year. Simple, non-fussy soups that don’t require hours of simmering. Just hearty enough to satisfy, but light enough to ease your stomach between the gluttony of the winter holidays. This Kale and Sausage Soup was what I needed to re-set, recharge, and rejuvenate. When the sun decides to return, I’ll be ready.

A white bowl of Kale Parsnip & Sausage Soup. The bowl sits on a white towel with red stripes. A spoon and two pieces of bread lay beside the bowl.

More Soups to Warm your Soul

Swiss Chard, Leek, Potato, and Sausage Soup
Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup
Chana Masala Soup: Spiced Chickpea Soup
Kabocha Squash Chili

Kale and Sausage Soup

I’m not sure what I like best about this soup: the fact that it’s hearty and nutritious, or that it comes together in less than half an hour. Whatever the case, make sure you have some fresh bread to go along with it.
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 465kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 leek washed,trimmed, quartered, and sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2-3 cups Kielbasa sausage diced
  • 3 parsnips diced
  • 3 cups kale stems trimmed and leaves torn into 2 inch pieces
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 1 15-oz can Cannelini beans
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-low heat, cook the leeks and garlic in olive oil until wilted, about 4 minutes.
  • Add the kielbasa, and stir until the sausage browns just a bit.
  • Stir in the parsnips and cook for another 3 minutes, followed by the kale. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Stir in the chicken stock and bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer.
  • Cook for about 8 minutes, stir in beans and season with salt and pepper as needed. Cook for two minutes more and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 1160mg | Potassium: 878mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3602IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

Comments

Recipe Rating




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  1. dumbnutt

    Amazing! Thanks for the ideas! I used apple chicken sausage instead.

    Reply
  2. Eileen

    This combination sounds so good! I could definitely handle some hearty winter greens and roots right about now. :)

    Reply
  3. Brian

    The perfect bowl of comfort! Though, it’s in the 60s here today! Crazy right? But I’ll be saving this for later

    Reply
  4. Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet}

    Wasn’t the rain this morning just WILD! Hubby and I were facinated by the power of the storm and the sheer volume of rain. This soup looks simply divine . You have inspired me to make a sausage and bean soup tonight. Happy Sunday!!

    Reply
  5. Holly

    I’ve been obsessed with parsnips this fall and this looks perfect for one of the freezing nights in my apartment. Any suggestions on what I could replace the Kielbasa with (any other sausage that is) I don’t know if I can find it here.

    Reply
    • liren

      I’ve been obsessed with parsnips, too, Holly! Any smoked sausage will work well, perhaps you can find a Morteau? Let me know what you are able to find, I’m curious!

      Reply
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