In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground sausage until browned and fully cooked. Remove sausage and drain excess fat.
In the same pot, sauté the diced onion for 5 minutes until translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds until fragrant.
Return the cooked sausage to the pot and add the chicken stock and sliced potatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Stir in the chopped kale and heavy cream.
Season with salt and red pepper flakes, then simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the kale is wilted.
Serve hot, garnished with crumbled bacon.