1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Creamy Sausage Potato Chowder

Potato and Sausage Chowder

Featured in Warm and Comforting Bowls.

A warming potato sausage chowder featuring tender potato chunks and crumbled sausage in a velvety broth enriched with wild rice. The cooking process begins with browning flavorful sausage before building a foundation of aromatic vegetables and herbs. Wild rice adds distinctive texture and nutty notes, while cream creates irresistible richness. Though it requires an hour to prepare, the resulting meal delivers pure comfort with every spoonful. The recipe encourages variations with different sausage types or the addition of smoky bacon for personal preference.
A smiling woman in an apron poses for a selfie in a professional kitchen.
Updated on Tue, 14 Jan 2025 21:27:46 GMT
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
A hearty soup featuring sausage slices, potatoes, carrots, and herbs in a creamy broth. Pin it
A hearty soup featuring sausage slices, potatoes, carrots, and herbs in a creamy broth. | tastygusto.com

This chowder has become my go to comfort food on chilly days. The combination of tender potatoes and savory sausage in that rich creamy broth just warms you from the inside out. Its quick enough for busy weeknights but feels like a big warm hug in a bowl.

Why This Recipe Works

I love how hearty and satisfying this chowder is. That smoky sausage adds such wonderful depth while those creamy potatoes make every spoonful comforting. Its one of those flexible recipes you can dress up for company or keep simple for family dinner.

Everything You Need

  • Sausage: Choose your favorite I love using smoked or spiced varieties.
  • Potatoes: Mix russets for creaminess with waxy ones for texture.
  • Onion and Garlic: Our flavor foundation.
  • Wild Rice or Barley: Adds lovely nutty notes.
  • Chicken Broth: Makes everything rich and flavorful.
  • Half and Half or Cream: Creates that velvety finish.
  • Flour or Corn Flour: Just enough to thicken things up.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings.
  • Extra Veggies: Add carrots celery or sweet potatoes if you like.

Lets Make Chowder

Start with Sausage
Brown it up in a big pot save that flavorful fat for cooking.
Build the Base
Cook onions and garlic in those tasty drippings until soft and fragrant.
Add Our Staples
In go the potatoes wild rice and broth simmer until everything's tender.
Make It Creamy
Stir in our flour slurry let it thicken up nicely.
Finish with Love
Add cream sausage and seasonings let those flavors come together.
Time to Enjoy
Serve it up hot with your favorite garnishes.

My Kitchen Secrets

Choose a really flavorful sausage it makes all the difference. Sometimes I blend half the soup for the perfect creamy chunky mix. Add your thickener gradually until its just right. Fresh herbs and good quality ingredients always shine through.

Plan Ahead Tips

You can make the base ahead just leave out potatoes and cream until youre ready to serve. Leftovers keep well for a few days in the fridge. I dont freeze this one though potatoes can get a bit funny when frozen.

A rich and hearty soup filled with sliced sausage, carrots, potatoes, and wild rice, garnished with green herbs. Pin it
A rich and hearty soup filled with sliced sausage, carrots, potatoes, and wild rice, garnished with green herbs. | tastygusto.com

Perfect Partners

Nothing beats dunking crusty bread or warm garlic knots in this chowder. A simple green salad on the side adds nice freshness. Sometimes we make cornbread its perfect for soaking up every last drop.

Mix It Up

Try plant based sausage for vegetarian friends or spicy chorizo for a kick. Toss in some greens like spinach or kale. A handful of cheese on top makes it even more indulgent. Make it your own thats what cooking is all about.

Why This Never Fails

This chowder brings together the best of comfort food. That creamy hearty base with smoky sausage just works. Its easy enough for everyday but special enough to share with friends.

Chowder History

Did you know chowders started with European sailors in the 1500s? The word comes from the French chaudière meaning cauldron. While seafood was traditional these sausage versions have become just as beloved.

Good For You Too

You get protein from the sausage and those potatoes give you good energy. Adding extra veggies makes it even more nutritious. Want it lighter? Try plant based cream or less sausage it still tastes amazing.

Perfect Pairings

We love this with iced tea or a crisp white wine for contrast. On extra chilly days warm apple cider makes it even cozier. A creamy ale works beautifully too its all about what you enjoy.

A hearty soup with sausage, carrots, potatoes, and wild rice, served in a black bowl. Pin it
A hearty soup with sausage, carrots, potatoes, and wild rice, served in a black bowl. | tastygusto.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of rice?
Yes, you can substitute wild rice with brown rice or pearl barley. These alternatives will still provide good texture and are often more budget-friendly. Just adjust cooking time according to the grain you choose.
→ How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Replace the all-purpose flour with corn flour (cornstarch) to thicken the soup. All other ingredients should be naturally gluten-free, but always check your sausage and stock ingredients to be sure.
→ Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, you can use dairy-free alternatives like soya cream instead of regular cream. The soup will still be creamy and delicious. Just make sure your chosen substitute can handle heat without splitting.
→ What type of sausage works best?
You can use any flavor of sausage you prefer. Italian sausage adds nice seasoning, while plain pork sausage lets you control the spices. You can even substitute with bacon for a smoky flavor.
→ Can I use sweet potatoes instead?
Yes, sweet potatoes work well in this recipe and actually cook faster than regular potatoes. They'll add a slightly sweet flavor and different texture to the chowder.

Creamy Sausage Potato Chowder

Rich, creamy chowder loaded with sausage, tender potatoes, and wild rice, offering the ultimate comfort on cold, cozy evenings.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (6 bowls)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 tbsp olive oil.
02 400g (6) sausages, any flavor.
03 1 onion, chopped.
04 2 stalks celery, sliced.
05 2 carrots, sliced.
06 2 cloves garlic.
07 ½ tsp dried thyme.
08 3 tbsp plain/all purpose flour.
09 1 litre/4 cups chicken or vegetable stock.
10 2 bay leaves.
11 100g/1/2 cup wild rice.
12 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks.
13 375ml/1½ cups single/light cream or half and half.
14 Salt to taste.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oil in soup pot. Remove sausage from casings, crumble into pot and fry until golden. Remove to plate, leaving 2 tbsp fat in pot.

Step 02

Add onion, celery and carrot to pot. Cook 10 minutes over low heat. Add garlic and thyme, cook 30 seconds.

Step 03

Sprinkle flour over vegetables, stir to make paste. Cook 2 minutes. Return sausage to pot.

Step 04

Gradually stir in stock. Add bay leaves and wild rice. Simmer 30 minutes.

Step 05

Add potato chunks, cook 15 minutes until potatoes and rice are tender.

Step 06

Pour in cream, season with salt and pepper. Heat through and serve with parsley.

Notes

  1. Can substitute sausage with bacon for smoky flavor.
  2. Brown rice or pearl barley can replace wild rice.
  3. Use corn flour instead of wheat flour for gluten-free version.
  4. Sweet potatoes can replace regular potatoes.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large soup pot.
  • Wooden spoon.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (cream).
  • Wheat (flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 628
  • Total Fat: 41 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 20 g