Sausage Corn Chowder: A Creamy, One-Pot Comfort With a Hearty Twist always gets me thinking about gray and blustery days (you know, the kind that make your nose feel like it’s about to run away from you). If you’ve ever found yourself shivering, wondering what dinner might shake off the chill, this chowder is just what you need. It’s cozy, hearty, and best of all, comes together in one pot for folks who hate cleaning up. If you like easy soul-warming dinners, you’ll probably go nuts for this chowder and other cozy dinner ideas too. And honestly, once you try it, you might not want to share. Just saying.
Sausage Corn Chowder
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Balanced
Description
A creamy, one-pot chowder packed with sausage, sweet corn, and potatoes, perfect for cozy nights.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage (or chicken/turkey sausage)
- 1 cup sweet corn (canned, frozen, or fresh)
- 2 cups potatoes (cut into small pieces)
- 1 cup diced onions
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or milk and sour cream)
- 1 cup diced carrots
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the sausage in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the diced onions and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in the potatoes and carrots, then cover with chicken broth.
- Bring to a simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Add the corn, cream, and any additional seasonings, stirring gently.
- Serve hot, topped with fresh herbs and shredded cheese if desired.
Notes
For a lighter option, replace heavy cream with milk and a spoonful of sour cream. You can also substitute potatoes with cauliflower or butternut squash.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Main Ingredients, Preparation Notes, and Substitutions
Now, let’s get to the bones of it, shall we? This soup is packed with sausage (use spicy or mild, your call), sweet corn, creamy potatoes, and that magic ingredient—cream. I usually grab Italian sausage because it perfumes the whole house and makes my stomach rumble. If you’re not crazy about pork, chicken sausage works fine, even turkey.
Here’s the funny bit—one time, I ran out of cream and just used whole milk and a spoonful of sour cream. Honestly, nobody noticed! You can also use canned corn if you’re in a pinch or, if it’s summer, slice the kernels fresh off the cob. Seasonings? Salt, a bit of garlic, and keep some chili flakes handy if you like a kick. Potatoes are non-negotiable for me, but if you’re feeling rogue, cauliflower works (kinda).
Oh, and on those desperate “fridge cleanout” nights, I’ve tossed in spinach or bell peppers. Didn’t ruin a thing.
| Ingredient | Tips | Easy Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| Sausage | Brown well for flavor | Chicken, turkey or plant-based |
| Corn | Add late to keep it crisp | Canned, frozen or fresh |
| Cream | Stir in at the very end | Milk + sour cream, or coconut cream |
| Potatoes | Cut small for quick cooking | Cauliflower or butternut squash |
How to Make Marry Me Sausage Orzo Soup
Making this soup is kinda like painting by numbers, but you get to eat the art after. Start with the sausage: get it nice and brown in a big pot. Toss in your diced onions and garlic, and let ‘em cook until they go soft and sweet-smelling (the house will smell like a five-star restaurant right about now).
Add your potatoes and carrots. Cover with broth. Let everything bubble until the potatoes give in when you poke them. Then, stir in the corn, cream, and any last-minute seasonings. Don’t let it boil too hard after the cream goes in! You want velvety, not curdled.
Got some fresh herbs? Toss them in now. Parsley is classic. If you like, serve with a little shredded cheese on top. And always—crack some extra black pepper. Chowder should have attitude.
“This chowder is our new weeknight favorite! My daughter actually asked for seconds, and she’s suspicious of anything with veggies. So, big win!” – Amanda J.
Why I love this soup, and hope you will, too
Honestly, I adore this recipe because it feels like a cheat code for the “cozy season.” There’s barely any cleanup (everything in one big ol’ pot) and it tastes decadent enough to impress your mother-in-law. It’s forgiving, too. Mess up the order. Swap an ingredient. It’ll still come out tasty.
I love sneaking some extra veggies in. Broccoli. Spinach. Even a little kale. Somehow the sausage and cream bring it all together, like a buddy comedy where they shouldn’t work—yet totally do. The leftovers? Even better the next day, if you can manage to save any.
My favorite way to eat it is curled up with a big mug, fuzzy socks on, and a trashy TV show humming away.
Vegan Soups & Stews: Coconut Green Soup
Okay, if you’re looking for something that’s dairy-free, plant-based, or you’re just soup-obsessed, let me steer you to one of my latest discoveries. Coconut green soup is super satisfying but in a clean, earthy way. Coconut milk brings the creamy punch you want, and vegetables—think spinach, peas, a little leek, or whatever green stuff’s knocking around your fridge—add the color and depth. Throw in some ginger and a squeeze of lime to wake up all those flavors.
If this piques your interest, you might want to peek at more vegan soups & stews recipes. There’s so much to try that the possibilities genuinely surprise me. It’s honestly wild what a pot of silky soup can do for the mood.
Serving Suggestions
- Dunk with thick slices of buttered sourdough—don’t be shy
- Top with crunchy fried onions or a little grated cheddar
- Dust with extra smoked paprika if you want that campfire kick
- Serve in big bowls with a side of pickles (trust me on this one, the tang wakes it up)
Common Questions
Can I freeze Sausage Corn Chowder?
Absolutely, but I won’t lie—cream-based soups can look a bit funky after freezing. Still taste fine though once reheated.
Is this gluten free?
It should be, as long as your sausage and broth are in the clear. Always double-check labels, you know how that goes.
Can I swap out the sausage?
Sure. Chicken, turkey, or even a vegan sausage will do the trick. It’ll just have a slightly different flair.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Nope! I never bother. The skins give a little rustic texture—love that.
What about making it spicy?
Go wild with chili flakes or spicy sausage for more heat. Nothing wrong with a little sweat on the brow.
When You Need That Hug-In-A-Bowl Feeling
If you’ve read this far, you can probably tell I’m downright passionate about this creamy chowder. It’s honest food. Fills your belly. Leaves you just a hair happier than when you started. There’s a wild world of soups out there, and trust me, if you loved this, you’d go bananas over something from gourds and squashes recipe —so many are ridiculously good too. Soup really just makes a day brighter, you know? So go ahead, grab that pot, and get stirring. Your taste buds will thank you.
