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This creamy Sausage Potato Soup combines Italian sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and fresh kale in a rich, comforting bowl. Perfect slow cooker recipe using chicken broth and heavy cream for the ultimate comfort food experience!

Two white bowls filled with creamy sausage potato soup containing sausage, potatoes, and kale sit on red striped napkins in front of a silver Crockpot slow cooker.


 

👩‍🍳 This slow cooker soup recipe practically makes itself! Brown the sausage and bacon, toss everything in the crockpot, and let it work its magic. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a homemade meal without the fuss.

Table of Contents

My 2 Best Tips For Making Sausage Potato Soup

Best Potatoes: I think russet potatoes are ideal for this recipe because they break down slightly during the long cooking process, naturally thickening the soup while maintaining some texture. Cut them into uniform 3/4-inch pieces for even cooking.

Control the Consistency: It’s easy to control the thickness of this soup. If your soup seems too thick, add more chicken broth gradually. Too thin? Mix an extra tablespoon of cornstarch with cold cream and stir it in during the final cooking stage.

Melissa in her kitchen smiling in front of the starting ingredients for the chicken the quinoa salad and skillet chicken on the wood block in front of her

🩷 Melissa

This soup is one of our all time favorites, and I know you are going to love it, too. If you like the Olive Garden’s zuppa toscana soup, then you’ll want to try this recipe for a fake out – take out meal at home!

This recipe makes enough for the whole family plus leftovers and is perfect for meal prep or when you’re hosting friends. The flavors actually get better the next day, making it an ideal make-ahead option.

You can use mild sausage or kick up the heat with a spicy sausage or red pepper flakes for different levels of spice. It’s also a great recipe for adding in your favorite vegetables or what you have on hand.

A slow cooker filled with creamy soup containing chopped kale, diced potatoes, sausage, and a light broth, viewed from above.
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Slow Cooker Sausage Potato Soup

By: Melissa Griffiths
This creamy Sausage Potato Soup combines Italian sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and fresh kale in a rich, comforting bowl. Perfect slow cooker recipe using chicken broth and heavy cream for the ultimate comfort food experience!
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6
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Ingredients 

  • 6 slices bacon, diced, about 6 ounces
  • 1 pound hot pork sausage, can use mild if you prefer
  • 4 cups diced russet potatoes, ¾-inch pieces, 2 to 2.5 pounds
  • 1 cup diced white onion
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 cups heavy cream, to be added at the end
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan
  • 4 cups kale, stems removed and chopped, to be added at the end

Instructions 

  • Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 7–9 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and store in fridge. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the drippings.
  • Add sausage and onion to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the sausage, until browned. Stir in the garlic for 30–60 seconds. Drain excess fat.
  • Add the sausage mixture to the slow cooker along with potatoes, thyme, salt, pepper, and chicken stock. Stir to combine.
  • Cover and cook on Low 5–6 hours or High 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
  • Mix the cornstarch into the cream. Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan, and kale. Cover and cook on High for 10–15 minutes, until the kale wilts and the soup is creamy. Remove bacon from the fridge.
  • Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with the crispy bacon.

Notes

Slow Cooker Size: I used a 6-quart crockpot for this recipe. If yours is smaller, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t get so full it overflows!
Sausage Choices:
  • Half regular-half turkey sausage works well with this recipe.
  • We love using hot sausage, but you can totally use mild or Italian sausage if you prefer those. 
Storing & Reheating Leftovers: Store cooled soup in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in airtight containers. The soup may thicken as it sits – just add a splash of chicken broth when reheating. Freezing isn’t recommended due to the cream and potatoes, which can separate and become grainy.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups, Calories: 765kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 56g, Saturated Fat: 28g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 19g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 162mg, Sodium: 1404mg, Potassium: 1169mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 2706IU, Vitamin C: 45mg, Calcium: 231mg, Iron: 3mg
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How To Make Slow Cooker Sausage Potato Soup

Overhead view of a wooden cutting board with diced potatoes, chopped onions, a knife, a package of ground meat, a small bowl of salt, and a carton of heavy cream on a gray countertop.

Step 1: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 7–9 minutes. Drain the bacon and store in fridge. Cook the sausage and onion in the skillet in 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings, breaking up the sausage. Stir in the garlic for 30–60 seconds. Drain excess fat.

A slow cooker filled with a mixture of diced potatoes, beef chunks, and broth sits on a kitchen countertop next to a wooden cutting board.

Step 2: Add the sausage mixture to the slow cooker along with potatoes, thyme, salt, pepper, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on Low 5–6 hours or High 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.

A slow cooker filled with creamy soup containing chopped kale, diced potatoes, sausage, and a light broth, viewed from above.

Step 3: Mix the cornstarch into the cream. Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan, and kale. Cover and cook on High for 10–15 minutes, until the kale wilts and the soup is creamy.

A slow cooker filled with creamy soup containing chunks of potato, ground sausage, and green leafy kale, with a blue ladle resting inside.

Step 4: Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with the crispy bacon.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this soup on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?

Yes! After browning the sausage and bacon, add all ingredients except cream, parmesan, and kale to a large Dutch oven. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are tender, then stir in the cream mixture and kale for the final few minutes.

Can I substitute the heavy cream with something else?

Yes, half-and-half works wonderfully and creates a slightly lighter version. You could also use whole milk, though the soup won’t be quite as rich. For a dairy-free option, try full-fat coconut milk, but add it gradually to prevent curdling.

How can I prevent the soup from curdling when I add the cream?

The key is mixing cornstarch with the cream before adding it to the hot soup. This creates a slurry that helps stabilize the dairy. Also, make sure your slow cooker isn’t on too high heat when you add the cream mixture – medium heat prevents curdling.

Two white bowls of creamy sausage potato soup with sausage, potatoes, and kale sit on a red-striped cloth next to a slow cooker filled with the same soup. Two spoons lie beside the bowls on a light surface.

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