Description
This creamy, smoky chowder comes together in one pot and delivers big, comforting flavor with minimal fuss — perfect for cold evenings or when you need a hearty, no-drama family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb sausage (ground or sliced — pork, turkey, or chicken all work)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups potatoes (Yukon Gold or russet), peeled and cut into 1/2–3/4″ cubes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional add-ins
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped parsley or chives for finishing
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
- Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon if it’s ground, until nicely browned (about 6–7 minutes). Tip off any excess grease if it looks greasy.
- Toss in the chopped onion and garlic; sauté until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in the potato cubes, thyme, and smoked paprika, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring the pot up to a boil.
- Lower the heat and let the soup simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Pour in the cream, warm through for 4–5 minutes more, then taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- If you like, fold in corn or cheddar now and heat until warmed and the cheese has melted. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with parsley or chives before serving.
Notes
- Quick tips & swaps
- Want dairy-free? Replace the cream with full-fat coconut milk.
- Prefer more heat? Use spicy sausage or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Try sweet potatoes or add leafy greens (kale/spinach) for a twist.
- To naturally thicken the chowder: mash a cup of the cooked potatoes right in the pot and stir — instant velvety body.
- Storage
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze cooled chowder for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove. Add a splash of broth or cream when reheating if the texture tightens up.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg