Sausage Potato Soup: Cozy & Flavor-Packed Comfort in a Bowl

There’s something incredibly cozy about a big pot of hearty sausage and tender potatoes simmering away, and this Sausage Potato Soup Recipe hits that comforting spot every single time. It’s one of those recipes I turn to when I want something satisfying with loads of flavor but without too much fuss.

A blue pot filled with thick creamy soup inside. The soup has many small pieces of light brown sausage, chunks of white potato with red skin, and small orange carrot pieces. There are green herbs sprinkled throughout and some black pepper on the surface. A silver spoon is resting inside the pot on the right side. The pot sits on a white marbled surface, and there is a small white bowl with red pepper flakes in the blurred background near the top. A beige cloth is slightly visible on the lower right side near the pot's handle photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sausage Potato Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sausage Potato Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of this Sausage Potato Soup Recipe because it’s one of those meals that warms you right down to your toes without a ton of effort. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you just want a meal that feels like a hug in a bowl, this recipe delivers.

Flavor-packed comfort: The combination of Italian sausage, creamy potatoes, and subtle seasonings results in a rich, satisfying taste that never disappoints.
Simple ingredients: Most of the ingredients are pantry staples or easy to find, which makes this soup approachable for any weeknight.
Customizable to your liking: Whether you like it a little spicier, creamier, or loaded with cheese, this recipe adapts beautifully to your preferences.
Great for leftovers: This soup reheats wonderfully and even freezes well, perfect for meal planning.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Sausage Potato Soup Recipe balances robust, savory flavors with creamy textures, thanks to a handful of simple but thoughtful ingredients. Each one has a role in building depth and comfort in the bowl.

Flat lay of fresh hot Italian sausage links, a few whole red potatoes with smooth red skin, a medium yellow onion with intact papery skin, two celery ribs with leaves, half a cup of small diced fresh carrots, three whole garlic bulbs with several cloves visible, a small white ceramic bowl of softened pale yellow butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing light golden soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl with vibrant red hot sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of golden chicken broth, and a few small white ceramic dishes each holding dried basil leaves, dried parsley, dried oregano sprigs, yellowish mustard powder, and cracked black peppercorns, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground Italian sausage: This adds fantastic flavor and a little spice, plus you get that meaty, crumbly texture that makes every spoonful satisfying.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed with the sausage and veggies.
Carrots and celery: Classic soup veggies that bring subtle earthy notes and a pleasant crunch before they soften.
Garlic: It’s the magic touch that brightens and deepens flavor.
Red potatoes: I always recommend red potatoes here because they hold their shape so well, which keeps the soup from turning into mush.
Chicken broth: The base liquid that ties everything together with savory richness.
Heavy cream: Adds luscious creaminess without overpowering the sausage and herbs.
Mustard powder, hot sauce, and soy sauce: These flavor boosters bring subtle complexity and enhance the overall taste without making it spicy.
Cheddar cheese (optional): Melts in beautifully for a cheesy, indulgent finish if you’re in the mood.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’ve enjoyed experimenting with this Sausage Potato Soup Recipe by mixing up the spice levels or adding different veggies. You can easily tweak it to match what you have on hand or your mood—it’s incredibly forgiving!

Vegetable variations: Sometimes I toss in some corn or even kale for extra texture and color—both work beautifully.
Spice it up: Though the recipe already has a mild kick from the hot sauce, I like adding a bit of smoked paprika or cayenne if I want more heat.
Dairy-free adaptation: You can swap the heavy cream with coconut milk or a cashew cream for a creamy texture without dairy.
Make it meatless: Substitute the sausage with smoked tofu or a meatless Italian sausage alternative for a vegetarian-friendly version.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sausage Potato Soup Recipe

A white bowl is filled with creamy soup that has a light yellow color and small green herbs sprinkled throughout. The soup has soft, chunky pieces of white potatoes and small bits of orange carrots visible. On top, there is a layer of cooked ground meat with a brownish color, mixed with melted yellow cheese that looks slightly shiny. A silver spoon rests on the edge of the bowl, and the bowl sits on a white marbled surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Save the Flavor

First things first—remove the casings if you’re using sausage links. I like to start cooking the sausage over medium heat in a large pot, breaking it apart as it sizzles. Once it’s halfway cooked, I partially cover the pot to help it cook evenly without drying out, and I stir occasionally. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes total. When it’s done, save about a tablespoon of those flavorful drippings—they make a wonderful base for the soup’s veggies.

Step 2: Cook the Veggies

Next, add the reserved sausage drippings plus a couple tablespoons of butter to the pot over medium heat. Toss in the diced onions, celery, and carrots. Let these cook for about 5 minutes until they start softening—this builds a lovely flavor base. Don’t forget the garlic! Add it last and cook for just about a minute so it releases its aroma without burning.

Step 3: Thicken and Build the Broth

Sprinkle in the flour and cook it for roughly 2 minutes, stirring continuously. This helps thicken the soup later. Then slowly add the chicken broth a little at a time, scraping the bottom of the pot to capture all that browned goodness left from the sausage and veggies—this is where deep flavor lives! Stir in the heavy cream, soy sauce, hot sauce, and dried herbs. Bring everything to a boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Add Potatoes and Finish Cooking

Wash and cube your red potatoes into roughly 1-inch chunks. Add them to the simmering soup and let them cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until you can easily pierce them with a fork. This is the best part—the potatoes soak up all those savory flavors while keeping their texture. Finally, stir the sausage back in, and if you’re a cheese fan, sprinkle in the shredded cheddar until melted and silky smooth.

Top Tip

This recipe has been one of my go-to cozy dinners precisely because it’s easy to tweak for flavor and texture. After trying and testing, I’ve found a few things that make a huge difference in how it turns out—so here are some tips to help you nail it.

Save those drippings: That little bit of sausage fat carries so much flavor, don’t toss it! Use it to sweat your veggies instead of just butter alone.
Don’t overcook the potatoes: Keep an eye on the potatoes as they simmer—they’re the stars here and get mushy if overdone.
Slowly add broth: Pour it gradually and scrape the pot to deglaze, unlocking layers of flavor you might miss otherwise.
Customize your heat: The hot sauce adds gentle warmth but no real heat, so add a bit more or a pinch of cayenne if you want it spicy.

How to Serve Sausage Potato Soup Recipe

The image shows two scenes side by side inside a white cooking pot. On the left, cooked ground meat with a brown color and crumbly texture fills most of the pot, with a black spatula resting inside, slightly lifting some of the meat. On the right, there are chopped vegetables in the pot, including bright orange carrot slices, light green celery pieces, and white onion chunks, along with a small square of pale butter melting in the middle. A red spoon with white polka dots is inside the pot, lightly mixing the vegetables. The pot sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of finishing this soup with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions—they add a bright pop of color and freshness that balances the richness. Sometimes I crumble a bit of crispy bacon on top for an extra savory crunch, or add a dollop of sour cream for tang and creaminess.

Side Dishes

This soup is a meal in itself, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or some warm, crusty bread is my go-to. Garlic bread or cheddar biscuits work wonders if you want to keep things comforting and cozy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, try serving this sausage potato soup in mini bread bowls or hollowed-out small pumpkins for a festive touch. A sprinkle of smoked paprika or a drizzle of chili oil just before serving adds beautiful color and extra flavor punch that always impresses guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After it cools, I transfer the soup to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers taste even better the next day—as long as the potatoes aren’t too overcooked.

Freezing

If I want to stash some for later, I freeze the soup in individual portions. Just be sure the potatoes aren’t super soft before freezing—they can become mushy after thawing otherwise. When you reheat, stir gently to bring it back to life without breaking the potatoes apart.

Reheating

Reheating gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water keeps the soup nice and creamy without scorching. I avoid the microwave if I can, since it can heat unevenly and sometimes toughen the sausage.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Sausage Potato Soup Recipe in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Cook and crumble the sausage along with the veggies stovetop first, then drain the grease well. Transfer everything to your slow cooker, add broth and seasonings, and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. Add cream and cheese at the end to finish.

What’s the best type of potato to use in this soup?

Red potatoes are my top pick since they hold their shape nicely during cooking. Yukon Golds work well too, but Russets tend to get mushy, which can make the soup less satisfying.

Is the hot sauce in the recipe spicy?

Great question! The hot sauce adds subtle depth and a little warmth but isn’t meant to make the soup spicy-hot. You can always add more or use a milder brand if you prefer.

Can I make this soup dairy-free or vegetarian?

You can absolutely adapt it! Swap the heavy cream for coconut milk or cashew cream for dairy-free. For vegetarian, replace the sausage with a plant-based alternative or add beans for protein and skip the sausage altogether.

Final Thoughts

This Sausage Potato Soup Recipe is one of those gems I’m always excited to share because it’s reliable, flavorful, and flexible. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or for feeding a crowd with minimal fuss. When you make this, I hope you feel as comforted and satisfied as I do every time I ladle it into my bowl. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite soup!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sausage Potato Soup Recipe