Description
Hearty butternut sausage tortellini soup marries rustic Italian flavors with comforting winter warmth. Rich, creamy broth and savory sausage will transport you to a cozy kitchen in Tuscany.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 3 cups butternut squash, diced (½-inch cubes)
- 9 ounces cheese tortellini (refrigerated or frozen)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups spinach or kale, chopped
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Heat a large soup pot over medium flame and brown the sausage, breaking it down into crumbly pieces while eliminating excess fat.
- Aromatic Foundation: Introduce diced onions and sauté until translucent, then incorporate minced garlic and briefly toast to release its fragrant essence.
- Liquid and Seasoning Integration: Combine butternut squash, chicken broth, tomatoes, and herb blend (basil, oregano, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes) into the pot. Elevate to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 15-20 minutes until squash reaches tender consistency.
- Pasta and Green Incorporation: Fold in tortellini and cook according to package timing, then gently introduce spinach and allow it to wilt seamlessly into the soup’s landscape.
- Creamy Finalization: Stream in cream and Parmesan, stirring carefully to maintain a smooth texture. Warm gently without reaching a boil, adjusting seasonings to personal preference. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with additional Parmesan and fresh parsley for visual and flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Ensure meat is thoroughly broken down and excess fat is drained to prevent greasy soup texture.
- Cook butternut squash until fork-tender but not mushy, maintaining slight firmness for ideal soup consistency.
- Add cream off direct heat and avoid boiling to prevent sauce separation and maintain smooth, silky finish.
- Cook tortellini precisely according to package instructions to prevent overcooking and maintain pasta’s ideal al dente texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg