Description
This Cheesy Rotel Soup with Smoked Sausage is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring browned smoked sausage, a medley of sautéed vegetables, and a creamy, cheesy broth with tomatoes and green chiles. Perfect for chilly days, this hearty soup combines a rich blend of cheddar and cream cheese to create a smooth, indulgent texture that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 13.5-ounce package smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 small onion (about 1/2 cup), finely chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cups celery, finely chopped
Liquids and Cheese
- 1 32-ounce broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
- 1 10-ounce can tomatoes with green chiles (undrained)
- 6 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, brown the sliced smoked sausage over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure the sausage cooks evenly and develops a nice browned exterior. Once browned, drain off any excess grease to keep the soup from becoming too oily.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the minced garlic, finely chopped onion, orange and red bell peppers, and chopped celery to the pot with the sausage. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and release their fragrance, enhancing the soup’s flavor base.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the undrained can of tomatoes with green chiles and your choice of broth—beef, chicken, or vegetable. Stir everything well to combine all ingredients and distribute flavors evenly.
- Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the soup simmer gently for 25 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate the Cheese: Just before serving, stir in the cubed cream cheese along with the shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until all the cheese has melted completely, creating a rich and creamy texture throughout the soup.
- Serve: Ladle the hot, cheesy soup into bowls and serve immediately to enjoy the comforting and indulgent flavors at their best.
Notes
- Use smoked sausage with your preferred spice level to adjust the soup’s heat.
- For a thicker soup, simmer uncovered the last 10 minutes to reduce liquid.
- Substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a slightly different creamy texture.
- This soup reheats well and often tastes better the next day as flavors deepen.
- Serve with crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal.
