What Is Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup?

Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup is a delightful, hearty dish that combines the sweet, velvety texture of butternut squash with savory sausage and tender tortellini. This creamy, flavorful soup has a perfect balance of sweetness, richness, and just the right amount of spice. It’s ideal for cozy dinners or whenever you crave something comforting and nutritious.

This soup brings the warmth of autumn into a bowl, making it a perfect meal for cool evenings. It’s incredibly satisfying, with a rich broth that ties everything together—each bite is bursting with flavor and texture. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or serving it to guests, Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup is sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love This Soup

Flavor Profile

The combination of sweet butternut squash, savory sausage, and cheese tortellini creates a layered, well-rounded flavor profile. The sweetness from the squash contrasts beautifully with the richness of the sausage, while the tortellini adds a satisfying bite. The broth is creamy and flavorful, enhancing all the ingredients.

Nutritional Benefits

Butternut squash is packed with essential vitamins like Vitamin A and C, while sausage provides protein and flavor. Tortellini brings in some carbs, making it a filling meal. This soup offers a comforting way to sneak in some vegetables and is a good source of nutrients, making it an excellent choice for a nutritious meal.

Versatility

This recipe is flexible! You can easily adjust it to suit different dietary preferences. Whether you’re looking for a vegetarian option or a gluten-free version, there are simple swaps to make this dish work for everyone. It’s also a fantastic option for meal prep, as the flavors develop even more after a day or two in the fridge.

Essential Ingredients

When making Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup, the ingredients are simple yet full of flavor. Let’s go over the essentials.

Butternut Squash

This is the star of the dish. Butternut squash is sweet and soft when cooked. It adds a creamy texture and a lovely, mild sweetness to the soup. You can use fresh or frozen squash, depending on what you have available.

Italian Sausage

The sausage gives the soup a savory and hearty flavor. It pairs perfectly with the sweet squash. Choose a mild or spicy variety based on your taste preferences.

Cheese Tortellini

Tortellini adds a satisfying bite to the soup. The cheese-filled pasta helps thicken the broth and adds richness. You can use fresh or frozen tortellini, whichever is easiest for you.

Broth

Chicken or vegetable broth forms the base of the soup. It gives the dish depth and helps bring all the flavors together. The broth also adds to the creamy texture once you stir in the cream.

Cream

Heavy cream gives the soup its smooth and creamy texture. If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute with a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients, let’s go through the simple steps to make this delicious soup.

1. Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating some olive oil in a large pot. Add chopped onions and garlic, and cook them until they’re soft and fragrant. This will add a rich base flavor to your soup.

2. Brown the Sausage

Next, add the sausage to the pot. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Keep stirring until the sausage is browned and fully cooked.

3. Add the Vegetables and Spices

Once the sausage is ready, add the chopped butternut squash. Toss in your spices—like sage, thyme, and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir everything together so the flavors mix well.

4. Simmer

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook for about 15–20 minutes, or until the squash is tender.

5. Blend (Optional)

If you like a creamier soup, you can blend part of the soup with an immersion blender. Blend until it’s smooth, leaving some chunks for texture.

6. Add the Tortellini and Cream

Now, stir in the tortellini and cream. Cook for another 5–7 minutes, until the tortellini is tender and the soup is creamy.

7. Finish with Greens and Parmesan

Finally, add a handful of spinach or kale, and let it wilt in the hot soup. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.

Nutritional Information

Let’s take a look at the nutritional benefits of Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup. It’s a comforting dish, and it’s good for you too!

Caloric Breakdown

Each serving of this soup has about 795 calories. While it’s a filling meal, it’s packed with nutrients that make it worth every bite.

Macronutrients

Carbohydrates: About 33g per serving. This comes mainly from the tortellini and butternut squash.
Protein: Around 38g. The sausage and tortellini provide a good amount of protein to keep you full.

Fat: Around 58g, with 32g being saturated fat. The cream and sausage contribute to the richness of the soup.

Micronutrients

Vitamin A: This soup is rich in Vitamin A, with about 8530 IU per serving, thanks to the butternut squash.
Vitamin C: You’ll get around 18mg of Vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system.

Calcium: The soup provides about 585mg of calcium, especially if you top it with cheese.
Iron: It also gives you about 5mg of iron, which is essential for blood health.

Serving Suggestions

Now that your soup is ready, here are some ideas for serving it.

Ideal Pairings

Bread: A warm, crusty sourdough or garlic bread goes great with this soup. It’s perfect for dipping.
Salad: A simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette adds freshness to balance the rich soup.

Beverage: A cold sparkling water works well, helping to cleanse your palate between bites.

Presentation Tips

Garnishes: Top your soup with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds flavor and looks beautiful.
Serving Bowls: Use deep, wide bowls to show off the soup’s color and texture. This gives it a more appealing look when serving.

Variations and Substitutions

If you want to customize the soup, here are some easy swaps and ideas.

Ingredient Swaps

Sausage Alternatives: You can use ground turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter option.

Greens: Swap spinach for kale if you want a heartier texture.
Cream Alternatives: If you prefer dairy-free, try using coconut milk or almond milk instead of heavy cream.

Flavor Enhancements

Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth.

Acidity: A splash of apple cider vinegar can balance the sweetness of the squash.
Heat: If you like spice, throw in some red pepper flakes or chopped chili.

Storage and Reheating

If you have leftovers, here’s how to store and reheat your soup.

Storage Guidelines

Refrigeration: Store the soup in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Freezing: If you want to keep it longer, freeze the soup without the tortellini. You can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just add the tortellini when you reheat it.

Reheating Tips

Stovetop: Reheat the soup on medium heat. Stir occasionally and add more broth if it’s too thick.
Microwave: Heat in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir every 30 seconds until hot.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup.

Can I use frozen butternut squash?

Yes, you can. Frozen butternut squash works just as well as fresh.

Is this soup spicy?

The soup has a mild level of spice. You can adjust the heat by adding more red pepper flakes if you prefer.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Absolutely! This soup tastes even better after a day or two. Just store it in the fridge and reheat when ready to serve.

How can I make this soup vegetarian?

You can skip the sausage and use plant-based sausage or just add extra vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for flavor.

Conclusion

Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup is the perfect comfort food. It’s hearty, flavorful, and packed with nutrients. The combination of sweet butternut squash, savory sausage, and cheesy tortellini makes every bite a treat.

This soup is easy to customize. You can change up the ingredients to fit your taste or dietary needs. Whether you’re looking for a cozy meal or meal prep for the week, this soup is a great choice.

So, give it a try! It’s a delicious and filling dish that’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup

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Author: Amanda Hartwellen
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that combines sweet butternut squash, savory sausage, and tender cheese tortellini in a creamy, flavorful broth. This soup is perfect for cool evenings and provides a satisfying balance of sweetness, richness, and just the right amount of spice.

Ingredients

Scale

1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
1 package (about 9 oz) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut/almond milk for dairy-free)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp sage
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 cups spinach or kale (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Olive oil for sautéing

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Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add chopped onions and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant.
Brown the Sausage
Add sausage to the pot, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir until browned and fully cooked.

Add Vegetables and Spices
Add cubed butternut squash, sage, thyme, and nutmeg. Stir to mix well.
Simmer
Pour in broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the squash is tender.
Blend (Optional)
Blend part of the soup with an immersion blender for a creamier texture, leaving some chunks for texture.

Add Tortellini and Cream
Stir in tortellini and cream. Cook for 5-7 minutes until tortellini is tender.
Finish with Greens and Parmesan
Stir in spinach or kale until wilted. Top with Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

You can freeze the soup (without tortellini) for up to 3 months. Add tortellini when reheating.

For a lighter version, substitute the cream with coconut milk or almond milk.

This soup can be made ahead of time and actually tastes better after a day or two.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup, Main Course
Method: Stove-top
Cuisine: American, Italian