Home / Soup / Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup

Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

Updated:

Jump to Recipe


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.

More Soups

Eat It, Like It, Share It!

Did you try this recipe and like it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your soup.

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.

Have you tried my
Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup?

Leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how you liked it in the 📝 comments and share it on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest.

We love hearing from you! This helps us continue to provide free, high-quality recipes.

Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup

4.60 stars average
Liz Della Croce
Spicy Italian sausage, hearty kale and creamy butternut squash create a warm and satisfying soup that is perfect for freezing.
PREP: 10 minutes
COOK: 30 minutes
TOTAL: 40 minutes
Pin
Servings4

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
 

  • 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.
  • Brown sausage for 7-8 minutes using a potato masher or wooden spoon to break into bite-sized pieces.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Raise heat to high then bring soup to a boil. Add butternut squash cubes and cook for 15-20 minutes or until softened.
  • 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.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps us to continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Rate this Recipe

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 43.6g | Protein: 28.9g | Fat: 4.9g | Saturated Fat: 0.9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 992mg | Fiber: 9.3g | Sugar: 5.8g


4.60 from 85 votes (67 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *






This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


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

  1. Colleen Green Avatar
    Colleen Green

    Thank you for this recipe, getting ready to cook it now. It’s exacty the combination I was looking for today.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you enjoy it!!

    2. Nic Avatar
      Nic

      This is probably the grossest thing I have eaten in a long time. We just threw it all out, which I hate because I hate wasting food and money.

      1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
        Liz DellaCroce

        Oh no I’m so sorry you didn’t care for it! We make this and eat it all the time!

        1. Taza G. Avatar
          Taza G.

          I’m curious how someone can look at a recipe and *not* figure out in advance whether or not they might enjoy it, based on the ingredients?

          1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
            Liz DellaCroce

            Hi Taza – I’m not sure what you’re referring to – but I’m with you! :)

  2. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    WOW, this is incredible soup! I made a batch last night – added a little bit of coriander and a couple shakes of poultry seasoning for a touch of extra jazz. It was perfect, and I’m eating it for lunch right now. All ingredients were purchased at Trader Joe’s – the pre-chopped squash and kale were huge time savers. This is the easiest recipe for such an outstanding result – complex flavors, filling, healthy. I’ve got your Chicken Tikka Masala in my slow cooker now. Excited to try more of your recipes!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh I’m so glad you liked it!!!!

  3. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    Just got done eating this DELICIOUS soup!! Thanks so much for the recipe. I was looking for a soup recipe that included all of these ingredients because I wanted to clear out my left over food :)

    Only changes I made were:

    Added another can of white beans, pureeing it before putting in
    Added about a teaspoon or so of hot madras curry powder

  4. Angela Pelc Avatar
    Angela Pelc

    I’m making this today with veggie broth and subbing sweet potatoes for the butternut squash!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Great idea!!! Let me know how it turns out!!

      1. Angela Pelc Avatar
        Angela Pelc

        Delicious! I will definitely make this again, thanks for the inspiration Liz!

  5. Caroline @ chocolate & carrots Avatar
    Caroline @ chocolate & carrots

    I just love hearty soups. What a great way to eat your veggies and warm your soul. :)

  6. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Oooo Love the idea of lentils!! GOOD ONE!!

  7. john Avatar
    john

    Hi. I made your kale soup exactly like your recipe and it was very tasty and satisfying. I chopped up 2 roma tomatoes i had leftover and added them. I thought this soup was another great way to enjoy kale. Keep up the good work and recipes. Im always looking fwd to what your coming up with next!!. I will definetly make this again. John

  8. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    LOL!! xoxo

  9. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    haha – I heart butternut squash. :-)

  10. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    I’ve heard that sports can take over every evening!! This soup would be perfect for that. :-)