I wanted to use Lindy's Italian pork sausage for this soup, but it's a little too spicy for my spice-averse kids, so I opted to use plain ground pork and season it myself.  This recipe would also work with ground beef or turkey!

P.S. Lindy's Italian sausage is made without MSG or preservatives.  It's simply pasture-raised ground pork seasoned with salt, pepper, and spices.

Creamy Potato Spinach Sausage Soup

• 1 T. leftover bacon fat or oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 lb Lindy's Italian sausage or ground meat of choice (pork, beef, or turkey)
• 2 T flour (optional, but helps thicken the soup)
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 1 1/2 lbs potatoes (3-4 large potatoes)
• 3 oz spinach, large stems removed and chopped into pieces
• 1 cup cream
• 1/2 tsp salt

Heat bacon fat or oil in a large soup pot.  Saute onions until slightly tender and golden.  Add 1 lb Italian sausage or ground meat, crumble, and cook.  If using plain ground meat, add the following seasonings while the meat is browning:

• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp pepper

When the meat is cooked, add 2 T flour and cook briefly while stirring.  Add chicken stock slowly, stirring and allowing to thicken before adding the rest.  Add potatoes and simmer until potatoes are tender.  When potatoes are cooked, add spinach and heat just until wilted.  Stir in cream and remaining salt.  Serve!