You might not think of Italian Sausage Soup when you think of food for the health conscious. But with a few changes, Italian Sausage Soup can be healthified.

6 strips bacon > 2 strips bacon
1 lb bulk pork Italian sausage > 1/2 lb turkey Italian sausage
Regular chicken broth > reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups kale > 4 cups kale
1 cup whipping cream > 1 cup fat-free half-and-half or half-and-half 
Added a can of cannellini beans
Added dried Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper

Nutritional Highlights

Prep Time:30 min

Start to Finish:55 min

makes:10 servings (about 1 1/4 cups each)

2 slices bacon
1/2 lb lean Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
2 large russet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 cans (14 oz each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 cups water
4 cups chopped fresh kale or Swiss chard leaves
1 can (15 or 19 oz) cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup fat-free half-and-half or regular half-and-half

1  In 4-quart nonstick saucepan or Dutch oven, cook bacon until crisp; drain on paper towel. Crumble bacon; set aside. Remove and discard drippings from saucepan.

2  In same saucepan, cook sausage over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink. Drain well on paper towels; set aside.

3  In same saucepan, mix potatoes, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, pepper flakes, broth and water. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cook uncovered about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4  Stir in bacon, sausage, kale and beans. Cook 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes and kale are tender. Stir in half-and-half; cook just until heated. High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.

Nutritional Information

1 Serving: Calories 190 (Calories from Fat 30); Total Fat 3 1/2g (Saturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 20mg; Sodium 530mg; Total Carbohydrate 29g (Dietary Fiber 4g, Sugars 3g); Protein 12g % Daily Value Vitamin A 80%; Vitamin C 35%; Calcium 10%; Iron 15% Exchanges 2 Starch, 1 Very Lean Meat, 0 High-Fat Meat, 0 Fat Carbohydrate Choices 2