Soup. Sweater. Sausage. All season long.
The House of Stark warned us, and so it has come to pass—winter is here. But for the real ones, the arrival of the coldest months is cause for celebration. Because baby, when it’s cold outside, that means it’s soup season: that magical time when you basically exist over a bubbling pot of broth. And the only S word that pairs better with soup than sweaters? Sausage.
Soups exist on a massive spectrum—spicy, luxuriously creamy, cheesy, or zesty—and range in difficulty from “throw stuff in a pot” to “execute a generations-spanning recipe you inherited in your very DNA.” Regardless, chicken sausage has a place in the pot, whether it's plussed up ramen or a multi-day cook. It works as a substitute for roasted chicken, sure, but it also imparts rich, complex flavor thanks to the real ingredients in links like Italian Herb, Melty Cheddar, and Classic Roasted.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a more challenging weekend project, there’s a soup for everyone. Here are a few to help you kick off soup season in high style.
Spicy Sausage & Kale White Bean Soup
This single-pot soup is perfect for a weeknight dinner with easy cleanup. Sausage provides protein, beans add fiber, and kale brings the vitamins. It’s nutritious and deeply satisfying—the kind of soup that makes you realize hearty and healthy aren’t mutually exclusive. Oh, and the heat level is completely adjustable, so feel free to go mild or wild with chile flakes.
Make it yourself: Our recipe is big on flavor, small on cleanup.
Chicken Sausage Tortellini Soup
Tortellini soup feels like a hack: it’s impossibly easy, yet the final product feels shockingly fancy. The ingredient list is refreshingly simple—grab a bag of store-bought tortellini, a can of crushed tomatoes, and plenty of aromatics. Just be sure not to overcook the tortellini, unless you’re aiming for a soup full of mealy, fall-apart pasta (which… no).
Make it yourself: TikTok has nothing on this recipe.
Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Chicken Sausage
Amplify the protein in classic broccoli cheddar soup by adding chopped Melty Cheddar Chicken Sausage. The sausage is mild enough to lend a savory backbone, while the built-in cheddar adds extra creaminess to the broccoli base. This one works two ways: keep it chunky for hearty bites, or blend it smooth for a silky, cheese-forward odyssey.
Make it yourself: Your path to cheesy bliss starts here.
Army Base Stew (Budae-Jjigae)
Named after the American soldiers stationed in Korea during the Korean War, army base stew is built around ingredients that were once common on base—Spam, American cheese, and hot dogs. Those hot dogs can easily be swapped for sausage, and toppings like tofu, rice cakes, or pork belly can be added or omitted as you please.
Make it yourself: Maangchi's take is customizable, comforting, and endlessly slurpable.
Cacio e Pepe Soup
Cacio e pepe is proof that the simplest recipes are often the best—and the same goes for this soup version. Creamy, peppery, and deeply comforting, it riffs on the Roman pasta classic, while Italian Herb Chicken Sausage adds pops of spice and extra savoriness. Finish each bowl with plenty of grated pecorino and dive right in.
Make it yourself: Minimal ingredients. Maximum comfort.
Corn Chowder with Chicken Sausage
For a soup that feels cozy enough for winter but still channels summer sunshine, corn chowder is the move. Sweet corn and onion lead the charge, while cream, potatoes, and sausage add richness and heft. A sprinkling of chives brings brightness, and a dollop of sour cream certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Make it yourself: This is comfort food with year-round appeal.
Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup
Fans of Olive Garden will recognize this one immediately. Zuppa Toscana is a close dupe of the chain’s iconic starter, with spicy sausage, cream, and kale coming together for a deeply comforting bowl. Finish with crumbled bacon, grated Parmesan, and extra red pepper flakes if you like it hot.
Make it yourself: Creme de la Crumb's recipe is a restaurant favorite, no tip required.
Hearty Sausage Minestrone Soup
A good minestrone is a home cook’s secret weapon—able to absorb excess veggies and unite them through the magic of a savory broth and the perfect punch of spice. A great minestrone though? That’s a game changer, and this one delivers courtesy of the addition of Italian Herb Chicken Sausage, which gives the whole thing a protein-packed Calabrian kick without overwhelming the pure comfort in each bite.
Make it yourself: This version is as good as a starter as it is a main.
Spicy Sausage Pozole
Less a meal than the feeling of family in a bowl, pozole is all about texture. Hominy brings bounce and nuttiness, while sausage adds snap and depth. Season with your favorite taco spices and serve with tortilla chips or a crown of crispy fried tortilla strips for extra crunch.
Make it yourself: A big bowl of love awaits at Pinch of Yum