One-Pot Creamy Sausage & Kale Pasta Soup with Feta

Looking for a quick, comforting meal that’s easy to whip up on a busy weeknight? This One-Pot Creamy Sausage, Kale & Feta Pasta Soup has you covered! With savory Italian sausage, tender rotini pasta, and fresh kale, this hearty dish is packed with flavor and texture. The creamy broth, made with a hint of white wine, thyme, and nutmeg, is balanced perfectly with tangy feta cheese. Best of all, everything comes together in just one pot, making both cooking and cleanup a breeze. It’s a deliciously simple dinner that’s sure to become a family favorite!

Why You’ll Love it:

• One-Pot Wonder: Less mess and fewer dishes! Everything cooks in one pot, making both preparation and cleanup quick and easy.
• Packed with Flavor: The combination of Italian sausage, fresh kale, and creamy feta cheese creates a delicious mix of savory, tangy, and rich flavors.
• Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, this is the perfect weeknight meal for when you’re short on time but want something hearty and satisfying.
• Versatile Comfort Food: You can easily adapt the recipe—swap out the pasta or add extra veggies like spinach or mushrooms to suit your taste.

Ingredient Notes:

• Italian Sausage: Choose mild or spicy sausage based on your preference. It adds a savory depth to the soup.
• Shallot: Provides a milder onion flavor that enhances the overall taste without overpowering the dish.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds aromatic warmth and enhances the savory profile of the soup.
• Flour: Used to create a roux, which thickens the soup and adds a creamy texture.
• White Wine: Adds acidity and complexity; opt for a dry white wine to complement the flavors without sweetness.
• Fresh Thyme: This herb lends a fresh, earthy flavor that brightens the dish. Dried thyme can be used in a pinch.
• Chicken Broth: A flavorful base that enriches the soup. Use low-sodium broth for better control over salt levels.
• Rotini Pasta: This twisted pasta shape holds onto the creamy sauce and complements the soup’s texture.
• Kale: Adds nutrition and a slight bitterness that balances the creaminess of the soup. You can substitute with spinach if desired.
• Half & Half Cream: Provides a rich, creamy consistency without being as heavy as heavy cream.
• Nutmeg: Just a pinch adds warmth and a hint of sweetness that enhances the overall flavor of the soup.
• Feta Cheese: This tangy cheese adds creaminess and a burst of flavor, making the soup even more delightful.

Dietary Restriction & Allergy-Friendly Substitutions:

• Gluten-Free: To make this soup gluten-free, substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour or cornstarch. Ensure that the rotini pasta is made from gluten-free grains, such as rice or quinoa.
• Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free half & half or coconut cream in place of half & half cream. Substitute feta cheese with a dairy-free cheese option or omit it altogether for a lighter version.
• Low-Carb/Keto: Replace the rotini pasta with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or shirataki noodles for a lower-carb option while maintaining the soup’s heartiness.
• Vegetarian: Swap the Italian sausage for plant-based sausage or mushrooms for a meaty texture. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it vegetarian-friendly.
• Nut-Free: This recipe is naturally nut-free, but always double-check any store-bought ingredients (like broth or dairy alternatives) for hidden nut ingredients.
• Paleo: For a paleo version, omit the pasta and use spiralized vegetables like zucchini or carrots instead. Ensure all other ingredients are compliant with paleo guidelines.

Optional Additions & Variations:

• Vegetables: Enhance the soup by adding other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Beans: For added protein and fiber, toss in a can of drained and rinsed white beans or chickpeas.
• Spices: Experiment with different spices like red pepper flakes for a bit of heat or smoked paprika for a deeper flavor.
• Creaminess: Substitute half & half with heavy cream for an even richer, creamier soup.
• Cheese Variations: Try swapping feta with goat cheese or adding a sprinkle of Parmesan on top before serving for a different flavor profile.
• Pasta Types: Use other types of pasta such as orzo, shells, or gluten-free pasta to suit your preferences.
• Protein Options: Swap Italian sausage for chicken sausage or turkey sausage for a lighter version, or make it vegetarian by omitting the meat altogether.
• Herbs: Experiment with different fresh herbs like basil or parsley to change the flavor dynamic.

Expert Tips & Recipe Notes:

• Cooking the Sausage: For the best flavor, use high-quality Italian sausage. Ensure it’s browned well to develop a rich, savory base for the soup.
• Adjusting Thickness: If the soup is too thick, add more chicken broth or half & half to reach your desired consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
• Kale Prep: Remove the tough stems from the kale and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces for easier eating. Add the kale during the last few minutes of cooking to keep it vibrant and tender.
• Nutmeg Tip: A pinch of nutmeg adds warmth and enhances the creaminess of the soup, but be careful not to overdo it; a little goes a long way!
• Make Ahead: This soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove and add a splash of broth if it thickens too much during storage.
• Freezing: If you plan to freeze the soup, consider omitting the pasta and adding it fresh when reheating. Pasta can become mushy when frozen and thawed.
• Garnishing: For a pop of freshness, garnish the soup with additional crumbled feta, freshly chopped herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil just before serving.
• Taste Testing: Always taste the soup before serving and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or more herbs as needed to suit your palate.

More Soup & Stew Recipes You Will Love:

• Creamy Mushroom & Pearl Couscous Soup
• Creamy Cabbage & Orzo Stew
• Italian Wedding Soup
• Avgolemono (Creamy Greek Lemon Orzo Soup)
• Creamy Sausage, Kale, & Ravioli Soup
• Easy Spicy Sausage & White Bean Soup
• Creamy Bacon, Mushroom, & Parmesan Tortellini Soup
• Crock-Pot Chicken Pot Pie Gnocchi Soup
• Creamy Parmesan, Mushroom, & Wild Rice Soup
• Pierogi, Kielbasa, & Cabbage Soup

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Creamy Sausage Kale Pasta Soup with Feta

This hearty, one-pot soup features savory Italian sausage, tender rotini pasta, and fresh kale in a creamy broth enriched with white wine and tangy feta cheese. Quick and easy to make, it’s the perfect weeknight meal that’s both comforting and delicious!

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Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Soup

Servings 6

Calories 371 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage mild or spicy
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 large shallot roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp minced garlic 3-4 cloves
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups dry rotini pasta
• 2-3 cups kale de-stemmed & chopped
• 1 cup half & half
• pinch ground nutmeg
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup crumble feta cheese

Instructions

 

Cook the Sausage

• In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned and crumbled.
• Once cooked, set the sausage aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

Sauté the Aromatics

• Lower the heat to medium-low and melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the pot.
• Add the chopped shallot and minced garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes until aromatic and beginning to brown.

Make the Roux

• Sprinkle flour over the mixture and fully combine until a paste forms.
• Whisk in the white wine and ½ cup of chicken broth until no flour lumps remain to create the roux.
• Simmer for about 1 minute.

Add the Broth and Pasta

• Whisk in the remaining chicken broth, then turn the heat up to bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Add fresh thyme sprigs and rotini pasta, simmering for 4-6 minutes or until the pasta is about halfway cooked.

Incorporate the Greens and Sausage

• Add the chopped kale and crumbled sausage to the pot.
• Continue to simmer for an additional 4-6 minutes until the pasta and kale are tender.

Finish the Soup

• Turn the heat down low, remove the thyme sprigs, and stir in the half & half, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste, along with half of the feta crumbles.
• Simmer for a few more minutes until warmed through.

Serve

• Plate the soup, garnishing with the remaining feta and a few cracks of fresh pepper. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

• To Make Gluten-Free: To make this soup gluten-free, substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour or cornstarch. Ensure that the rotini pasta is made from gluten-free grains, such as rice or quinoa.
• Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free half & half or coconut cream in place of half & half cream. Substitute feta cheese with a dairy-free cheese option or omit it altogether for a lighter version. Substitute the butter with more oil or a dairy-free butter alternative.
• To Make Vegetarian: Swap the Italian sausage for plant-based sausage or mushrooms for a meaty texture. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it vegetarian-friendly.
• Adjusting Thickness: If the soup is too thick, add more chicken broth or half & half to reach your desired consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
• Nutmeg Tip: A pinch of nutmeg adds warmth and enhances the creaminess of the soup, but be careful not to overdo it; a little goes a long way!
• Taste Testing: Always taste the soup before serving and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or more herbs as needed to suit your palate.
• Nutritional Information is an estimate only and will vary according to specific ingredients and amounts used.

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcalCarbohydrates: 21.6gProtein: 13.1gFat: 24.4gSaturated Fat: 10.6gFiber: 1gSugar: 2.4g

Keyword creamy sausage kale pasta soup

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