Description
Potato and Sausage Chowder is a creamy, hearty soup featuring smoked sausage, potatoes, onions, and a velvety milk and cream base. This one-pot meal is satisfying, comforting, and perfect for any weeknight or meal prep.
Ingredients
1 lb smoked sausage (kielbasa or Andouille), sliced into rounds
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and cubed
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: 1 cup frozen corn, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Brown the Sausage: In a large pot, cook sliced sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, melt butter. Add onion and cook until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
3. Create the Roux: Sprinkle flour over the onion and garlic. Whisk and cook 2 minutes.
4. Whisk in the Broth: Slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking. Bring to a simmer until thickened.
5. Cook the Potatoes: Add cubed potatoes and browned sausage. Season with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
6. Finish with Creaminess: Reduce heat to low. Stir in milk and heavy cream. Heat through without boiling. Add corn and cheese if using, stir until cheese melts.
7. Serve: Ladle into bowls, garnish with parsley, and enjoy.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months (potatoes may soften slightly). Reheat gently on stovetop over low heat.
Substitutions: Use chicken, bacon, or ground beef instead of sausage; add carrots, celery, spinach, or kale; use vegetable broth for pescatarian version; use half-and-half or coconut milk for lighter/dairy-free versions; gluten-free flour blend for roux.
Avoid: Boiling after adding dairy, undercooked roux, over-salting too early, and uneven potato chunks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup, Chowder, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop, One-Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg