Italian Sausage Potato Soup

Nothing beats a warm, hearty bowl of homemade soup—especially when you’ve grown most of the ingredients yourself! This Italian Sausage Potato Soup with Carrots & Spinach is packed with rich flavors, nutrients, and the satisfaction of knowing exactly where your food came from. Whether you have a backyard garden, a few raised beds, or just some containers on a balcony, you can cultivate most of these ingredients in a small space.

Why Grow Your Own Ingredients?

Growing your own vegetables and herbs not only ensures they’re fresh and chemical-free but also allows you to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening. Even in small spaces, you can easily grow potatoes in fabric grow bags, carrots in deep containers, spinach in window boxes, onions in pots, and garlic in raised beds. With a little planning, you can harvest these ingredients right from your own garden and bring them straight to your kitchen.

Italian Sausage Potato Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage, crumbled

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced

• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 6 cups chicken broth

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional, but easy to grow!)

• 1 teaspoon dried basil (optional, but easy to grow!)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the Sausage: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the crumbled Italian sausage until browned. Drain any excess grease if necessary.

2. Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes.

3. Add Vegetables: Stir in the diced potatoes and sliced carrots, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

4. Season and Finish: Stir in the chopped spinach, oregano, and basil. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes until the spinach is wilted.

5. Serve and Enjoy: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Small-Space Gardening Tips

• Potatoes: Use fabric grow bags or deep containers to grow potatoes even on a balcony. Harvest them once the plants start to yellow and die back.

• Carrots: Opt for deep pots or raised beds with loose soil to encourage long, straight carrots.

• Spinach: This leafy green thrives in shallow containers and grows quickly, providing multiple harvests throughout the season.

• Onions & Garlic: These crops are perfect for small gardens and can be grown in compact spaces with well-drained soil.

• Herbs: Basil and oregano are easy to grow in pots, making them convenient for fresh seasoning year-round.

A Meal with a Purpose

This soup is more than just a comforting meal—it’s a celebration of homegrown goodness. By growing your own ingredients, you not only eat healthier but also connect with your food on a deeper level. Plus, it’s rewarding to know that your delicious bowl of soup started right in your own garden.

So grab your gardening gloves, plant some seeds, and soon you’ll be enjoying a homegrown, homemade meal that’s both nourishing and fulfilling!

Have you tried growing your own ingredients for soup? Share your experience in the comments!