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
- 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.
- Using the same pan, sauté diced onions until they become translucent and softened, developing a gentle golden hue.
- 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.
- 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.
- Transform the soup into a silky consistency using an immersion blender or standard blender. Ensure a smooth, uniform texture without lumps.
- Reintroduce pureed soup to the pan. Carefully drop cheese tortellini into the liquid, cooking until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, roughly 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat and incorporate heavy cream. Grate Parmigiano Reggiano directly into the soup, stirring until cheese melts completely and creates a luxurious consistency.
- Fold fresh baby spinach into the soup, allowing leaves to wilt and integrate seamlessly. Return reserved sausage to the pan, mixing thoroughly.
- 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