Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

Quick & Cozy Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

Rich, hearty butternut sausage tortellini soup promises a comforting culinary adventure for cold evenings.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly in this robust dish that warms from the inside out.

Creamy butternut squash provides a smooth, velvety foundation for savory sausage and delicate pasta pockets.

Traditional Italian-inspired flavors dance across your palate with each spoonful of this nourishing meal.

Perfectly balanced textures create a harmonious experience that satisfies deep hunger and culinary curiosity.

Rustic and elegant, this soup revamps simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining moment.

Hungry souls will appreciate the depth of flavor and wholesome comfort waiting in every delicious bowl.

Why Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup Feels Like Cozy in a Bowl

  • Savor Comforting Flavor Explosion: This soup blends rich Italian sausage with sweet butternut squash, creating a symphony of tastes that dance across your palate with every spoonful.
  • Craft an Effortless Gourmet Meal: Despite looking impressive, the recipe comes together quickly with simple techniques like sautéing and simmering, making restaurant-quality dining accessible in your own kitchen.
  • Embrace Nutritious Seasonal Delight: Packed with nutrient-dense ingredients like butternut squash, spinach, and lean sausage, this soup transforms healthy eating into a luxurious experience that feels indulgent yet wholesome.
  • Customize with Culinary Creativity: The recipe offers flexible options like swapping pear for apple, using different broths, or adjusting spice levels, allowing home cooks to personalize their perfect comfort bowl.

What You’ll Need for Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup

Protein Base:
  • Italian Sausage: Rich, flavorful meat that adds depth to the soup, preferably fresh and high-quality.
  • Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid base with robust flavor, can be substituted with vegetable broth for vegetarian option.
Vegetable Blend:
  • Onion, Garlic: Aromatic foundation that builds complex flavor profile for the soup.
  • Butternut Squash: Sweet, creamy vegetable that adds smooth texture and subtle nutty taste.
  • Apple: Brings natural sweetness and slight tartness to balance the savory elements.
  • Baby Spinach: Fresh green that adds nutritional value and vibrant color at the end of cooking.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing and developing initial flavor base.
  • Thyme, Sage: Herbaceous seasonings that complement autumn-inspired soup components.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy element for those who enjoy heat.
  • Cinnamon: Warm spice that enhances the squash and apple's natural sweetness.
  • Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings for overall taste adjustment.
Creamy Finish:
  • Cheese Tortellini: Stuffed pasta that makes the soup more substantial and satisfying.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds rich, luxurious texture and smoothness.
  • Parmigiano Reggiano: Sharp, aged cheese that provides depth and slight saltiness.

How to Make Creamy Butternut Tortellini Soup with Sausage

Step 1: Prepare Sausage Base

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and break it apart while cooking until fully browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.

Step 2: Develop Aromatic Foundation

In the same pan, sauté diced onions until soft and translucent. Add:
  • Chopped garlic
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Thyme
  • Sage

Cook until herbs release their fragrant aroma.

Step 3: Create Soup Liquid

Pour in chicken broth and add:
  • Cubed butternut squash
  • Diced apple
  • Optional cinnamon

Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer until squash becomes tender.

Step 4: Blend Soup Smoothly

Use immersion blender or transfer to standard blender to puree soup until completely smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Cook Tortellini

Return pureed soup to pan and return to simmer. Add cheese tortellini and cook until pasta becomes tender.

Step 6: Enrich Soup Texture

Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in:
  • Heavy cream
  • Grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Continue stirring until cheese melts completely.

Step 7: Add Final Touches

Incorporate baby spinach and previously cooked sausage. Stir until spinach wilts.

Step 8: Season and Serve

Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve piping hot and enjoy this comforting meal.

Tips for Balancing Sweet Squash and Savory Sausage

  • Choose Quality Sausage: Select fresh, high-quality Italian sausage for deeper flavor and better texture in the soup.
  • Smooth Puree Technique: Carefully blend hot soup in batches or use an immersion blender to achieve a silky, uniform consistency without splattering.
  • Prevent Tortellini Overcooking: Add tortellini towards the end of cooking to maintain their tender bite and prevent becoming mushy.
  • Enhance Depth of Flavor: Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine after cooking sausage to capture all the delicious browned bits and add complexity.
  • Control Soup Thickness: Adjust soup consistency by adding extra broth if too thick or simmering longer if too thin, ensuring perfect texture every time.

How to Store and Reheat Tortellini Soup the Smart Way

  • Refrigerate: Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure soup reaches room temperature before sealing to prevent condensation.
  • Freeze: Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at the top for expansion. Store frozen soup for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing tortellini as pasta can become mushy when thawed.
  • Reheat: Warm soup slowly in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore original consistency if needed. For frozen soup, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve with Butternut Tortellini Soup

  • Elevate with Wine Pairing: Match this hearty soup with a crisp Chardonnay or a medium-bodied Pinot Noir to complement the rich sausage and creamy texture. The wine's acidity will cut through the soup's richness, creating a balanced flavor experience.
  • Crunch with Bread Companions: Serve alongside crusty sourdough or rustic garlic bread to soak up the velvety soup. Toasted ciabatta with a sprinkle of herbs adds delightful texture and enhances the overall dining pleasure.
  • Fresh Side Salad Balance: Prepare a light arugula salad with crisp apple slices, toasted walnuts, and a tangy vinaigrette. The salad's bright, peppery notes will contrast beautifully with the soup's warm, creamy profile.
  • Dessert Harmony: Follow the soup with a light apple tart or spiced pear crisp. These desserts echo the soup's autumnal flavors and provide a sweet, satisfying conclusion to the meal.

Butternut Tortellini Soup Variations You’ll Love

  • Rustic Kale Chorizo Soup: Replace spinach with chopped kale and swap Italian sausage for spicy chorizo. Add smoky paprika for extra depth and use a splash of white wine during sautéing for rich flavor complexity.
  • Vegetarian Pumpkin Tortellini: Substitute sausage with roasted mushrooms or plant-based sausage crumbles. Use vegetable broth and add nutritional yeast for cheesy undertones. Incorporate roasted red peppers for additional warmth.
  • Creamy Squash Goat Cheese Edition: Use roasted butternut squash puree as base. Replace Parmigiano Reggiano with tangy goat cheese. Add crispy sage leaves as garnish and include toasted pine nuts for textural contrast.
  • Southwestern Inspired Tortellini: Include diced green chiles, cumin, and cilantro. Use pepper jack cheese instead of Parmigiano. Top with crispy tortilla strips and a dollop of sour cream for southwestern flair.
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Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

Butternut Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe


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4.7 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty butternut sausage tortellini soup brings Italian comfort to winter’s chill. Rich sausage, creamy butternut squash, and tender tortellini create a luxurious bowl that warms souls and satisfies deep hunger.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 pound butternut squash, cubed
  • 1 pound cheese tortellini

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 4 ounces baby spinach
  • 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced

Liquids and Seasonings:

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sage, thinly sliced
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1 pinch cinnamon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high temperature. Crumble Italian sausage into the pan, breaking it down while browning. Cook thoroughly until meat is completely rendered and crisp, approximately 8-10 minutes. Transfer cooked sausage to a separate plate.
  2. Using the same pan, sauté diced onions until they become translucent and softened, developing a gentle golden hue.
  3. Introduce minced garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme, and sage into the onion mixture. Stir rapidly to release aromatic essence, allowing herbs to bloom for approximately 60 seconds.
  4. Pour chicken broth into the pan. Add cubed butternut squash and diced apple. Sprinkle a whisper of cinnamon for depth. Escalate heat to boiling, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow vegetables to tenderize for 15 minutes.
  5. Transform the soup into a silky consistency using an immersion blender or standard blender. Ensure a smooth, uniform texture without lumps.
  6. Reintroduce pureed soup to the pan. Carefully drop cheese tortellini into the liquid, cooking until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, roughly 5 minutes.
  7. Reduce heat and incorporate heavy cream. Grate Parmigiano Reggiano directly into the soup, stirring until cheese melts completely and creates a luxurious consistency.
  8. Fold fresh baby spinach into the soup, allowing leaves to wilt and integrate seamlessly. Return reserved sausage to the pan, mixing thoroughly.
  9. Perform a final seasoning adjustment using salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Ladle into warm bowls and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Cozy autumn-inspired soup blending savory sausage with sweet butternut squash and creamy tortellini.
  • Layered flavors develop through strategic cooking techniques, transforming simple ingredients into a luxurious comfort meal.
  • Easily adaptable recipe allows home cooks to customize with seasonal vegetables and preferred protein alternatives.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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