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Creamy Cabbage & Sausage Soup

Creamy Cabbage & Sausage Soup

Creamy Cabbage & Sausage Soup is a warm, hearty, and comforting dish perfect for chilly days. This flavorful soup blends tender cabbage, savory sausage, and a luscious creamy broth to create a family-friendly meal packed with balanced textures and rich, inviting flavors. Made with simple pantry staples and customizable options, it’s both nutritious and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 medium head fresh cabbage, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 23 cloves garlic, minced

Meats & Protein

  • 1 lb sausage links or ground sausage, sliced or crumbled

Liquids

  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 12 tablespoons butter or oil for sautéing

Herbs & Spices

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Prep the ingredients: Slice the cabbage into thin strips, chop the onion, carrots, and celery, and mince the garlic. Slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces or crumble it if using ground sausage.
  2. Brown the sausage: In a large pot, heat butter or oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, releasing its savory fats. Remove sausage and set aside.
  3. Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until tender and fragrant, allowing the natural sweetness to develop and blend with the sausage drippings.
  4. Add cabbage and broth: Stir in the cabbage and pour in the broth. Add thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until cabbage is soft but still slightly crisp, about 15 minutes.
  5. Incorporate cream and sausage: Return the sausage to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Simmer for a few more minutes to combine flavors and create a creamy consistency.
  6. Season and serve: Remove bay leaf, then season the soup with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve warm.

Notes

  • Sear sausage well: Browning sausage adds deep flavor and richness.
  • Avoid overcooking cabbage: Keep cabbage tender with a slight bite to maintain texture and color.
  • Use homemade broth if possible: Enhances soup depth, but store-bought broth works fine.
  • Control creaminess: Add cream gradually to reach desired consistency.
  • Let it rest: Allow soup to sit off heat for 10 minutes for flavors to meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy cabbage sausage soup, hearty soup, comfort food, gluten free soup, family-friendly soup