Italian Sausage and Chard Soup with Simple Garden Salad

Name: Italian Sausage and Chard Soup with Simple Garden Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 6 sprigs Parsley, chopped; 2 cloves Garlic, chopped; 1 Onions, small, diced; 1 bunch Chard, any type, leaves torn and stems chopped into 1/2 inch pieces; 8 oz Carrots, diced; 1/2 lb Mushrooms, brown, sliced; 1 can Tomatoes, diced, 14 oz, drained; 1 Tbsp Oil, cooking; 1/2 lb Italian sausage, uncooked; 2 1/2 cups Stock, chicken; 1 Bay leaves; 1/2 tsp Oregano, dried; 1 heart Lettuce, romaine, chopped; 6 oz Cucumbers, chopped; 1 clove Garlic, chopped; 2 Tbsp Vinegar, red or white wine; 1 Tbsp Lemon juice; 1 tsp Honey; 1/2 tsp Basil, dried; 1/2 tsp Mustard, Dijon; 3 Tbsp Oil, olive

A hearty, rustic soup featuring Italian sausage, Swiss chard, mushrooms, and carrots in a savory chicken stock base. The combination of tender sausage and earthy chard creates a satisfying meal, while the accompanying fresh salad with red wine vinaigrette provides a crisp contrast. Perfect for cool evenings when you want something warming yet balanced. The recipe cleverly uses different portions of garlic and oregano for both the soup and vinaigrette, streamlining preparation while building complementary flavors throughout the meal.

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Level: medium
Cuisine: Italian

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Ingredients

4 servings

6 sprigs Parsley, chopped(optional)
2 cloves Garlic, chopped
1 Onions, small, diced
1 bunch Chard, any type, leaves torn and stems chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
Spinach or kale1:1availability
Similar nutritional profile
8 oz Carrots, diced
½ lb Mushrooms, brown, sliced
1 can Tomatoes, diced, 14 oz, drained
1 Tbsp Oil, cooking
½ lb Italian sausage, uncooked
Turkey sausage1:1healthier
Reduces fat content
Full guide →
2 ½ cups Stock, chicken
Vegetable stock1:1vegetarian
Makes soup vegetarian
Full guide →
1 Bay leaves
½ tsp Oregano, dried
1 heart Lettuce, romaine, chopped
6 oz Cucumbers, chopped
1 clove Garlic, chopped
2 Tbsp Vinegar, red or white wine
1 Tbsp Lemon juice
1 tsp Honey
Maple syrup1:1vegan
Makes vinaigrette vegan
Full guide →
½ tsp Basil, dried
½ tsp Mustard, Dijon
3 Tbsp Oil, olive

Method

19 steps

1
Heat Dutch oven over medium-high heat
2
Add cooking oil and Italian sausage removed from casing
3
Saute sausage until golden for 4 to 6 minutes
4
Drain any fat from pot
5
Add garlic for soup, onions, chopped chard stems, and carrots to pot
6
Saute for 3 minutes
7
Add tomatoes, stock, bay leaf, and oregano for soup
8
Cover and bring to a boil
9
Add mushrooms and simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes
10
Chop garlic for salad
11
Combine garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, honey, oregano for salad, basil, and mustard
12
Slowly add olive oil while whisking
13
Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper to taste
14
Add chard leaves to soup
15
Cook for another 5 minutes
16
Season soup with salt and pepper to taste
17
Remove bay leaf
18
Ladle soup into bowls and top with parsley
19
Toss vinaigrette with lettuce and cucumbers

Tips

Tip 1

Look for pre-sliced mushrooms to save prep time

Tip 2

Use different portions of garlic and oregano for the soup and salad as specified

Tip 3

Remove bay leaf before serving to avoid accidental consumption

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate soup for up to 3 days, salad components separately

Make Ahead

Soup can be made day ahead, reheat gently; prepare salad just before serving

Serve With

Serve soup hot with fresh salad on the side

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Drain sausage fat to avoid greasy soup

Watch

Remove bay leaf before serving to prevent choking hazard

Watch

Add chard leaves at the end to prevent overcooking

Substitutions

Vegan Options

Honey→

Maple syrup1:1vegan

Makes vinaigrette vegan

Full guide →

General Alternatives

Italian sausage→

Turkey sausage1:1healthier

Reduces fat content

Full guide →

Chicken stock→

Vegetable stock1:1vegetarian

Makes soup vegetarian

Full guide →

Chard→

Spinach or kale1:1availability

Similar nutritional profile

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes, any Italian-style sausage works well. Turkey or chicken sausage can be substituted for a lighter option.

What if I cannot find chard?

Spinach, kale, or collard greens make excellent substitutes. Adjust cooking time as spinach cooks much faster.

How long will the soup keep in the refrigerator?

The soup will stay fresh for up to 3 days refrigerated. Reheat gently and add fresh herbs before serving.