Hearty Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup Recipe

Cozy Butternut Squash And Sausage Soup Recipe For Fall Nights

Crisp autumn winds carry the promise of comfort with every spoonful of this delectable butternut squash and sausage soup that warms the soul.

Rich, velvety textures blend perfectly with savory sausage nuggets dancing through a golden broth.

The robust flavors emerge from carefully selected ingredients that complement each other with surprising harmony.

Seasonal produce transforms this simple recipe into a hearty meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Each ladle promises a symphony of warmth and nutrition, packed with wholesome goodness.

The soup whispers stories of cozy kitchens and welcoming tables.

Grab a bowl and let these flavors transport you to a culinary embrace that feels like home.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients in Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup

For Aromatics and Base: .

  • Olive Oil: Creates a flavorful foundation and helps sauté ingredients smoothly.
  • Onion: Builds a rich, sweet base layer that enhances overall soup depth.
  • Garlic: Adds sharp, pungent notes that elevate the entire flavor profile.

For Protein and Meat: .

  • Italian Sausage: Provides hearty, spicy protein and adds robust meaty complexity to the soup.

For Liquid and Vegetable Elements: .

  • Chicken Broth: Creates silky liquid base with deep savory undertones.
  • Butternut Squash: Delivers creamy texture, natural sweetness, and nutritional richness.
  • Thyme: Introduces earthy, herbal notes that complement the squash perfectly.
  • Nutmeg: Offers warm, subtle spice that pairs beautifully with squash.
  • Salt: Balances and heightens all other flavor dimensions.
  • Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and rounds out seasoning profile.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety finish with subtle richness.
  • Parsley: Brings fresh, bright garnish that adds visual and flavor contrast.

Tools That Make This Soup Smoother

  • Large pot: Essential for cooking and simmering the soup from start to finish.
  • Slotted spoon: Perfect for removing browned sausage while leaving fat behind.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and butternut squash.
  • Sharp knife: Required for precise vegetable and sausage preparation.
  • Immersion blender: Crucial for creating a smooth, creamy soup texture.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices like thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and breaking up sausage while cooking.

Cooking Instructions for This Butternut Soup

  • Brown the Sausage

Heat oil in a large pot and sizzle sausage until golden and crumbly. Scoop out and set aside.

  • Sauté Aromatics

In the same pot, soften onions until translucent, then quickly toss in garlic for a quick burst of flavor.

  • Build the Soup Base

Tumble in butternut squash cubes, pour in chicken broth, and sprinkle thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Let everything come to a rolling boil.

  • Simmer and Soften

Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let the soup gently bubble for 15-20 minutes until squash becomes meltingly tender.

  • Blend to Silky Smoothness

Blitz the soup using an immersion blender or carefully transfer to a standard blender, transforming it into a velvety puree.

  • Finish and Enhance

Return sausage to the pot, swirl in heavy cream, and warm through. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Additions for Extra Creaminess or Spice

  • Keep your butternut squash cubes uniform in size to ensure even cooking and a smooth texture.
  • This soup can be prepared 23 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to deepen and develop.
  • For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with coconut milk or skip cream entirely for a dairy-free option. Vegetarians can replace sausage with plant-based sausage or roasted mushrooms for similar savory depth.
  • Want extra richness? Roast butternut squash before adding to the soup for enhanced caramelized flavor and deeper color. Alternatively, leave some squash chunks unblended for a rustic, chunky soup texture.
  • Elevate presentation by topping with crispy sage leaves, toasted pumpkin seeds, or a swirl of chili oil for added complexity and visual appeal.

How to Serve a Bowl of Comfort

  • Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a crusty sourdough or hearty whole grain bread to dip into the creamy soup, soaking up all the rich flavors and adding delightful texture.
  • Herb Garden Sprinkle: Fresh chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or thyme can be scattered on top, bringing bright green color and a burst of aromatic freshness to the warm soup.
  • Crispy Topping Crunch: Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds or crispy pancetta bits over the soup to add a delicious crunch and enhance the nutty butternut squash undertones.
  • Creamy Dollop Finish: Add a small swirl of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top to create a tangy contrast and make the soup look extra appealing with a beautiful white spiral.

Store This Soup Without Losing Flavor

  • Store soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for quick future meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Warm soup gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick after refrigeration. Avoid microwave for best texture maintenance.
  • Divide soup into individual serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Label containers with date and contents for organized meal planning. Single-serve portions reheat faster and reduce waste.
Print
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Hearty Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup Recipe

Hearty Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup Recipe


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4.9 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Hearty butternut squash and sausage soup blends rustic Italian flavors with comforting autumn warmth. Creamy textures and savory notes dance together, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this soul-satisfying seasonal delight.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (2-3 lb) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
  • 1 pound (454 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
  • 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (optional, for a creamier soup)
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sear Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame. Crumble sausage and cook until richly browned, then transfer to a separate dish using a slotted spoon.
  2. Aromatic Base: In the same pot, sauté onions until translucent and softened. Add minced garlic and cook briefly to release its fragrant notes.
  3. Build Soup Foundation: Introduce cubed butternut squash, chicken broth, thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until squash becomes tender and easily pierced.
  4. Purée and Integrate: Employ an immersion blender to transform the soup into a silky, uniform consistency. If using a standard blender, transfer carefully in batches. Reintroduce the reserved sausage and stir in heavy cream, allowing the soup to heat through and meld flavors.
  5. Final Touch: Taste and calibrate seasoning as needed. Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

  • Brown sausage thoroughly to develop deep, rich caramelized notes that add complexity to the soup’s overall taste profile.
  • Check squash tenderness around 15-minute mark to avoid mushy texture, ensuring cubes remain slightly firm for better mouthfeel.
  • Use immersion blender directly in pot for easier cleanup and more controlled consistency, avoiding potential splatter from transferring hot liquid.
  • Add heavy cream at end and heat gently to prevent separation, creating a silky smooth texture without curdling.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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