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Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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Spicy Italian sausage, hearty kale, and creamy butternut squash create a warm and satisfying soup that is perfect for freezing.

Spoonful of sausage, kale, and butternut squash soup.

One of my favorite quick and healthy dinners in the cold season (or any season really) is a warm bowl of soup such as Roasted Root Vegetable Soup, Mushroom Barley Soup or Matzo Ball Soup. This Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup is an easy go-to for fall and winter. Not only a delicious dinner, but the leftovers make great lunches throughout the week for easy meal prep.

Why You’ll Love this Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup

  • It’s hearty and filling, making it the perfect meal on a chilly day.
  • The ingredients can be easily swapped to vegetables you already have in your fridge or pantry!
  • It stores easily in the fridge and freezer, so it makes for great meal prep!

Ingredients

  • Italian sausage: A delicious source of protein, you can use sweet, mild, or spicy sausage to meet your preferences!
  • Onion: I’ll use a yellow or white onion, as it’s mild in flavor to not overpower the other ingredients, but instead blends well with the other flavors.
  • Garlic: Nutty, slightly sweet when cooked, it pairs deliciously with everything else.
  • Red pepper: The ripest of bell peppers, they are also the highest in vitamins and nutrients, with a slightly sweet taste.
  • Chicken broth: Flavorful and rich with protein and essential fatty acids, it’s my go to for soup bases.
  • Butternut squash: A winter squash with a sweet, nutty taste, it’s high in vitamin C and other vitamins.
  • Kale: I love to use kale in soups, as its hearty enough to not get soggy, but it loses its bitter taste. Not to mention it’s packed full of nutrients, like omega-3s.
  • Cannellini beans: Another source of protein, as well as fiber, they add a creamy, nutty flavor to the soup.

Easy Substitutions

  • Swap the squash. You can use any squash in place of the butternut squash, like acorn squash or pumpkin.
  • Make it vegetarian. Instead of chicken broth, use veggie broth, and use a soy or tofu substitute for the sausage.

How to Make Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup

Step 1. Start by peeling your butternut squash.

Step 2. Then cut the squash in half and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and strings. Cut into cubes.

Step 3. In a large pot, drizzle some olive oil and heat to medium-high. Brown your sausage, breaking into pieces as it cooks.

Step 4. Use a microplane to freshly grate your garlic in with the sausage.

Step 5. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper, with a pinch of salt and black pepper.

Step 6. Keep cooking until onions and peppers have softened.

Step 7. Add the chicken broth, and use a wooden spoon to scrape up anything that might be stuck at the bottom of the pot.

Step 8. Bring to a boil, then add in the butternut squash and simmer for about 10-15 minutes until squash is softened.

Step 9. Then add the drained cannellini beans.

Step 10. Followed by your chopped kale.

Step 11. Check for seasoning, and cook for about 5 minutes until kale is bright green.

Sausage, kale, and butternut squash soup.

Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired, and serve your Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does butternut squash need peeling for soup?

The peel on butternut squash soup is slightly bitter and tough, so I prefer to peel it.

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes! Soup is very freezer friendly. In an air-tight container or resealable bag, it’ll be good for up to 3 months.

Do I need to cook squash before adding to soup?

Nope! You can cook the squash with the rest of the soup.
Sausage, kale, and butternut squash soup.

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Liz enjoying sausage, kale, and butternut squash soup.

Whether you need a quick dinner, or lunches throughout the week, this hearty, delicious Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup won’t disappoint you.

Your spoon is waiting.

Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup

4.60 stars average
Spicy Italian sausage, hearty kale and creamy butternut squash create a warm and satisfying soup that is perfect for freezing.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Serves4
CourseSoup
Calories329

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 Italian sausage links – uncooked spicy or sweet
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 red pepper seeded and diced
  • 8 cups chicken broth low sodium or homemade
  • 3 cups butternut squash peeled and cut in 1/2 in. cubes
  • 4 cups kale roughly chopped
  • 14 ounces cannellini beans drained and rinsed
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Parmigiano reggiano optional garnish

Instructions
 

  1. Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat and spray with olive oil non-stick spray. Remove sausage from casings and add to pot.
  2. Brown sausage for 7-8 minutes using a potato masher or wooden spoon to break into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Add garlic, diced onion, and red pepper to pan (as well as a pinch of salt and pepper) and cook until softened, about 5-6 minutes.
  4. When sausage is nicely browned, add broth to pan using a wooden spoon to deglaze and scrape up all of the delicious brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Raise heat to high then bring soup to a boil. Add butternut squash cubes and cook for 15-20 minutes or until softened.
  6. Five minutes before serving, add kale and beans. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with freshly grated Parmigiano reggiano if you wish.

Nutrition

Calories: 329kcalCarbohydrates: 43.6gProtein: 28.9gFat: 4.9gSaturated Fat: 0.9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 992mgFiber: 9.3gSugar: 5.8g

Liz’s Notes

When browning the sausage, don’t be afraid of a little color! The longer it browns, the more it caramelizes which means more flavor when you deglaze the pan with chicken broth. The amount of salt needed will vary depending on the brand of sausage, chicken broth and beans that you use so season accordingly.

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

4.60 from 85 votes (67 ratings without comment)

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66 responses to “Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup”

  1. PHYLIS LORUSSO Avatar
    PHYLIS LORUSSO

    Made this today and Wow!.. excellent textures,… I did add bay leaf and sage… this soup hit the spot… my husband had 3 bowls🙃, and with the cold snap we’re having… absolutely perfect… ty for sharing.

  2. Taylor Avatar
    Taylor

    So good! I did change some stuff based off what I had but followed the method and it came out incredible. I used spicy Italian sausage, a candy roaster squash, and left out the red pepper but added a can of fire roasted tomatoes at the same time as adding the squash. The Parmesan was such a delicious final touch and we will absolutely be making it again!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      That sounds delicious! I love fire roasted tomatoes!

  3. Loretta Mannix Avatar
    Loretta Mannix

    I followed the recipe to a “T” except used German sausage instead of Italian and spiced with pepper, pepper flakes, dill, celery and caraway seed as well as 2 cups of diced tomatoes. It was phenomenal!!!

  4. Rebecca Avatar
    Rebecca

    Was searching for a butternut squash soup and was so happy I found this recipe! Love it and will make again, it was great for the cold snowy evening. I didn’t have chicken or turkey sausage but had sweet Italian sausage and also added about a half teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes so it had a little heat. Thank you so much for this delicious recipe!

  5. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    Great! I topped it with a small bit of sour cream and nutmeg! Yeah, nutmeg sounds crazy,but it works on squash soup! So simple to make, put in a pot and let it cook the rest.

    Thank you

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh that sounds heavenly!!!!

  6. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    This was super easy and yummy and I know it will be even better tomorrow once the flavors have more time to blend. Thank you

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh yes it’s great the next day!

  7. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    I want to make this for my husband, but he isn’t a fan of kale.. what else do you suggest i use?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Spinach is great!!