Description
This hearty Sausage Corn Chowder combines savory Italian sausage with sweet corn and tender potatoes in a creamy, comforting soup perfect for any time of year. The recipe features a delicious blend of spices and a creamy texture enhanced by cream cheese, making it a satisfying and flavorful meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 pound Italian Sausage (hot preferred)
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1/2 cup Red Bell Pepper, diced
- 1 small Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon Thyme
- Green Onions for garnish
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Liquids & Dairy
- 3 cups Chicken Broth
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, room temperature
Other
- 16 ounces Frozen Corn or 4 cups fresh corn cut from the cob
- 1 pound Potatoes, diced approximately 1/4 inch
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain off most of the sausage drippings to reduce excess fat.
- Sauté Vegetables and Spices: Add diced red bell pepper, onion, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper to the pot. Sauté the mixture over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender and aromatic.
- Add Broth and Cream Cheese: Pour in the chicken broth and add cubed cream cheese to the soup. Stir to help the cream cheese incorporate smoothly and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer with Potatoes and Corn: Add the diced potatoes and corn (frozen or fresh) to the pot. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 25-35 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the soup has thickened slightly.
- Blend Part of the Soup: Transfer three cups of the soup to a blender or food processor. Pulse a few times to break up the potatoes and sausage, creating a creamy consistency similar to cream-style corn. Return the blended portion back to the pot and stir well.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle the chowder into bowls and garnish each serving with chopped green onions and additional parsley if desired for freshness and color.
Notes
- For a milder chowder, use sweet Italian sausage instead of hot.
- If fresh corn is not available, frozen corn works perfectly as a convenient alternative.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control spiciness or omit it for a milder flavor.
- To make the chowder thicker, blend more soup or add a small amount of cornstarch slurry if desired.
- Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
