Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Brown the sausage and build the flavor
- Brown the Italian sausage slices in a large pot, then remove and set aside, keeping any fat in the pot. The sausage should look browned on the edges.
- Sauté the onion in the sausage fat for 4 minutes, stirring until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer and thicken
- Add the chicken broth and cauliflower to the pot, then simmer for 15-18 minutes until very tender. You should be able to easily pierce the cauliflower with a spoon.
- Blend about half the soup smooth, then stir it back into the pot to thicken the broth. The mixture should turn creamy with small cauliflower flecks.
- Add the kale, sausage, red pepper flakes, and parmesan, then cook for 5 minutes until the kale wilts. The soup should look glossy and evenly flecked.
Season and serve
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, then stir and check that the flavor is balanced. Serve hot with a drizzle of olive oil and extra red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Pro tip: blending only half the soup keeps it creamy while still showing cauliflower texture. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove until steaming. Freezing is not recommended because heavy cream can separate. For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, and add it after blending for a smoother finish.
