Sausage Potato Soup

Sausage Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 1 pound spicy Italian sausage (can use mild)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, separated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 and 1/4 cups mirepoix: 3/4 cup diced carrots, 3/4 cup diced celery, 3/4 cup diced yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chopped baby gold potatoes
• 1 teaspoon EACH: dried basil, dried parsley flakes
• 4 cups chicken stock (or chicken broth)
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups 1% milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups extra SHARP Cheddar Cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream (fat free is great)

Instructions

1. SAUSAGE: Line a large plate with paper towel and set aside. Heat a very large pot (I recommend cast iron), over medium-high heat. Once hot, add in the sausage. Let stand without touching for 30 seconds to a minute. Then stir and crumble up the meat until you have sausage crumbles. Transfer to prepared plate and drain off any grease except for 1 tablespoon. If there is no grease that's fine, add in 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pot.
2. VEGGIES: In the same pot with 1 tablespoon sausage grease OR olive oil, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the diced carrots, celery and onion and saute 5-7 minutes or until tender (if not diced small, you may need 7-10 minutes). Add garlic and saute 30 seconds more.
3. POTATOES & SEASONING: Stir in the chopped potatoes, dried basil, dried parsley, salt and pepper to taste (I add 1 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper, but add to preference and don't forget to taste and adjust at the end!). Stir. Add in chicken stock or broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium, cover with lid and cook 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender (easily pierced with a fork).
4. CREAM SAUCE: Meanwhile, melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook, whisking constantly 1 minute. While whisking vigorously, slowly pour in milk (whisk well until smooth). Cook stirring constantly until mixture begins to gently boil and thicken and then stir in the heavy cream.
5. FINISHING: Remove from heat and once all veggies are tender pour the milk/cream mixture into the soup and stir. Lower heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese. Cook until cheese is melted. Stir in sour cream. Return the sausage into the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm with freshly chopped parsley or thyme and bread!

Recipe source:Click here