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Cozy Butternut Sausage Soup

Category: Dinner

This cozy soup brings together tender cubes of butternut squash, savory Italian sausage, and cheesy tortellini in a flavorful veggie broth. Olive oil heats up the onions and garlic first, creating a tasty base. The sausage browns nicely before adding broth and squash to cook slowly till soft. Tortellini finishes cooking right in the broth, and fresh spinach goes in at the very end to add some green. It's a perfect meal that balances sweet squash, hearty sausage, and creamy pasta.

Fresh herbs like sage or parsley lift the flavors, and if you want it meat-free, just skip the sausage and toss in beans for a protein punch. Check the broth thickness before serving, and top with cracked pepper or Parmesan for a nice finish.

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Dana
Recipe Created By Dana
Last updated on Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:54:11 GMT
A bowl of soup with pasta and meat in it. Save
A bowl of soup with pasta and meat in it. | chefsnaps.com

This cozy butternut squash and sausage tortellini soup mixes sweet, savory, and cheesy tastes in a warm, soothing broth. It’s great for cold nights or whenever you want a comforting meal that hits the spot.

I whipped this soup up one day to use some squash I got at the farmer’s market. It quickly won me over with how filling and easy it is to tweak to your taste.

Ingredients List

  • One medium butternut squash: peeled and cubed to bring sweet creaminess. Pick squash that’s firm without soft spots.
  • 1 pound Italian sausage: adds a savory base with a choice of spicy or sweet flavors.
  • 8 ounces cheese tortellini: fresh or frozen, for a cheesy, tender pasta bite.
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth: light yet flavorful so the other ingredients shine.
  • 2 cups fresh spinach: stirred in at the end to bring vibrant color and mild earthiness.
  • 1 medium onion: diced finely to build a sweet, savory flavor when cooked.
  • 3 garlic cloves: minced to add a punch of aroma and flavor.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil: used to cook everything smoothly.
  • Salt and pepper: add as needed to balance all the flavors.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Make Your Flavor Base
Warm the olive oil in a big pot over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion and cook until it gets soft and see-through, about five minutes. Add garlic next and cook for just a minute so it wakes up without burning.
Cook The Sausage
Put the Italian sausage in and break it apart as it browns. This takes around seven minutes and adds a deep, savory taste from the caramelized meat and spices.
Simmer The Squash
Throw in the cubed squash and pour in the vegetable broth. Let it all simmer gently for about fifteen minutes or until the squash is soft enough to mash easily with a spoon.
Cook The Tortellini
Add the cheese tortellini right into the pot and follow the package cooking time, usually around five minutes, so the pasta stays tender inside the broth.
Softly Add The Spinach
Stir in the fresh spinach at the end and mix until it wilts, about two minutes. This brightens the soup with fresh green color.
Serve Up Warm
Ladle the soup into bowls and finish with a pinch of black pepper or a little grated Parmesan if you want to make it even richer.
A bowl of soup with pasta and meat in it.
A bowl of soup with pasta and meat in it. | chefsnaps.com

One cold winter night, this soup stole the show at a last-minute family dinner. Everyone loved how well the flavors balanced and how simple it was to make.

How To Store

Switch It Up

Tasty Side Ideas

A bowl of soup with pasta and meat.
A bowl of soup with pasta and meat. | chefsnaps.com

This soup quickly became a favorite comfort meal around here. The flavors blend so well and it’s surprisingly simple to put together.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ What sausage should I use here?

Italian sausage adds a rich, savory kick that goes great with the sweet butternut squash, whether you pick sweet or spicy versions.

→ Can I swap fresh tortellini for frozen?

Yep, frozen works fine too; just give it a couple extra minutes to cook through.

→ How do I make this meatless?

Leave out the sausage and use vegetable broth. Adding some cannellini beans gives it protein and texture.

→ Which herbs go well with this soup?

Parsley and sage bring fresh, herbal flavors that make the sweetness of the squash and richness of the sausage pop.

→ What's the best way to store leftovers?

Put leftovers in a sealed container, keep them in the fridge up to 3 days, and heat gently so it stays tasty.

→ Can I make this soup ahead of time?

For sure, you can prep it a day early. Just stir in fresh spinach right before you eat so it stays bright and tender.

Squash Sausage Soup

A warm bowl filled with butternut squash, Italian sausage, and tortellini swimming in a rich broth.

Preparation Duration
20 minutes
Time to Cook
30 minutes
Overall Time
50 minutes
Recipe Created By: Dana

Type of Recipe: Dinner

Cooking Skill Level: For Moderate Skills

Cuisine Style: Italian

Serving Amount: 6 Number of Servings (6 servings)

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Veggies

01 2 cups fresh spinach
02 1 medium onion, chopped
03 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and chopped

→ Meat

05 454 g Italian sausage, spicy or sweet

→ Pasta

06 227 g cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen

→ Liquids

07 2 tbsp olive oil
08 946 ml low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Seasonings

09 Pepper, to your liking
10 Salt, to your liking

Detailed Preparation Steps

Step 01

Start by warming olive oil in a big pot on medium. Toss in the chopped onion and let it soften for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and keep cooking for a minute until you can really smell it.

Step 02

Throw in the Italian sausage and break it up with your spatula. Let it brown well, which should take around 7 minutes.

Step 03

Mix in the butternut squash chunks with the veggie broth. Bring everything to a slow boil and let it cook for 15 minutes or until the squash feels soft.

Step 04

Drop the cheese tortellini in and cook following the package directions, usually about 5 minutes.

Step 05

Stir fresh spinach in last and cook for 2 minutes until it wilts. Turn off the heat then.

Step 06

Serve the soup in bowls. Top with cracked pepper or some grated Parmesan if you want.

Helpful Tips

  1. Skip the sausage and just use veggie broth if you want to keep it meat-free. You can add cannellini beans for some extra protein.
  2. Try sprinkling fresh herbs like sage or parsley on top for a flavor boost.
  3. Feel free to add more broth if you'd like your soup thinner or less if you prefer it thicker.

Essential Kitchen Tools

  • Big cooking pot
  • Spatula

Allergy Information

Always check labels for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has dairy and gluten because of the cheese tortellini

Nutrition Information (Per Portion)

Nutrition facts are provided for reference and don’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 350
  • Fat Content: 15 grams
  • Carbohydrate Amount: 35 grams
  • Protein Content: 20 grams