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
- 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.
- Aromatic Base: In the same pot, sauté onions until translucent and softened. Add minced garlic and cook briefly to release its fragrant notes.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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