Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sausage and break it up as it cooks. You want it nicely browned and fully cooked. Once done, remove it from the pot but keep the flavorful grease—it’s liquid gold for this soup.
In the same pot, add a bit more oil if needed. Toss in the onion, carrot, and celery. Let them cook until softened and fragrant. Stir in the garlic and smoked paprika. This quick step builds a delicious, aromatic base for the soup.
Now add the diced potatoes and pour in the chicken broth and water. Stir well and bring it all to a gentle boil. Once bubbling, reduce the heat and let it simmer. This gives the potatoes time to soften and soak up all those delicious flavors.
Once the potatoes are tender, it’s time to add the kale and cooked sausage back to the pot. Stir everything together and let it cook for a few more minutes until the kale is wilted and the sausage is heated through. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
When everything’s hot and ready, ladle the soup into bowls. Top with a little fresh parsley for color and freshness. I love serving it piping hot with crusty bread on the side—it’s pure comfort in a bowl.