Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Tortellini Soup
This Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Tortellini Soup is a cozy, flavorful one-pot meal made with creamy squash, savory sausage, and cheesy tortellini—perfect for fall and winter nights.
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food soup recipe, this Butternut Squash and Sausage Tortellini Soup deserves a spot on your dinner table. Creamy, cozy, and packed with flavor, it combines roasted butternut squash, savory Italian sausage, and cheesy tortellini in one satisfying bowl.
Perfect for chilly fall and winter nights, this easy one-pot soup is hearty enough for a full meal yet simple enough to whip up on a weeknight. Whether you’re craving a seasonal butternut squash soup, a quick tortellini soup with sausage, or a make-ahead recipe the whole family will love, this dish checks all the boxes.
Looking for more butternut squash recipes? Check out my Butternut Squash Lentil Soup, Butternut Squash Muffins, and Air Fryer Butternut Squash!
Jump to:
Why You'l Love This Recipe
- Cozy Soup Recipe - the combo of butternut squash, tortellini, and sausage is SO cozy!
- Easy Weeknight Dinner - especially if you use frozen butternut squash, this recipe comes together so quickly and is so easy!
- Family-friendly Soup - my kids absolutely love this soup!
Ingredients
Butternut Squash - I used organic frozen butternut squash for ease in this recipe! You can definitely use fresh butternut squash, especially if they are in season.
Italian Sausage - I use mild Italian sausage, since I make this for my kids. You can use hot Italian sausage if you want to add a bit of spice to the soup.
Shallot and Garlic - aromatics that add a ton of flavor to the soup
Italian Seasoning - a combination of herbs to add earthiness and flavor.
Chicken Broth - the broth base of this creamy soup.
Spinach - some chopped spinach adds texture, color, and nutrition to the tortellini soup.
Cheese Tortellini - tortellini makes this soup filling and cheesy.
Parmesan Cheese - an extra layer of cheesy flavor.
Half and Half - just a bit to add a richness to the creamy part of the soup.
Please refer to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients.
Variations
Make it Vegetarian - you can make this vegetarian by omitting the sausage! Use a sausage alternative or omit completely and substitute with a can of white beans.
Different Greens - while I use baby spinach you could use finely chopped kale or Swiss chard, if you have that on hand.
Dairy Free - you can make this soup dairy free by using coconut milk or any dairy-free alternative.
Step by Step Instructions
Photo 1. In a large soup pot, add the Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Cook until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
Photo 2. Remove the sausage from the soup pot, add tablespoon or two of olive oil, and add the diced shallot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes, and then add the garlic. Stir and cook another minute or two.
Photo 3. Add the Italian seasoning, butternut squash, and chicken broth.
Photo 4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Photo 5. Add the tortellini and spinach, and simmer for 4-5 minutes, until the pasta is softened. Lastly, stir in the half and half and Parmesan, and stir to combine. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Storage - store leftover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Use freshly grated Parmesan - Stirring in real Parmesan (not pre-shredded) at the end adds a rich, nutty flavor and helps thicken the soup naturally.
Choose the right sausage - Mild Italian sausage gives a balanced flavor, while spicy sausage adds heat that pairs beautifully with the creamy squash.
Don’t overcook the tortellini - Add the tortellini toward the end of cooking and simmer just until tender, otherwise it may become mushy.
Blend for a velvety base - Pureeing the squash with some broth before adding sausage and tortellini creates a luxuriously creamy texture without needing much cream.
Add greens at the very end - Stir in spinach, kale, or Swiss chard just before serving so they stay bright, fresh, and slightly wilted.
Adjust consistency to taste - For a thicker soup, let it simmer uncovered to reduce; for a lighter broth, add extra broth or half and half.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can make the base of the soup without the tortellini ahead of time. To finish it off, heat the base of the soup off in a large pot over medium heat, bring to a simmer, add the tortellini and cook until tender, about 4-5 minutes.
Yep! You can use chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or a vegetarian alternative.
Yes! Simply swap the sausage for white beans or lentils, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a hearty vegetarian version.
Other Soup Recipes to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
Creamy Butternut Squash & Sausage Tortellini Soup
Ingredients
- ½ lb mild Italian sausage
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large shallot diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups diced butternut squash I used frozen but you can use fresh
- 5-6 cups chicken broth Add according to how thin you want your soup consistency
- 10 ounces cheese tortellini
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 1 cup half and half
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, add the Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Cook until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
- Remove the sausage from the soup pot.
- Add olive oil and then add the diced shallot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic. Stir and cook another minute or two.
- Add the Italian seasoning, butternut squash, and chicken broth.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- After the squash is tender, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture. I like to keep some squash chunks, but you can puree to your preference.
- Add the tortellini and spinach, and simmer for 4-5 minutes, until the pasta is softened.
- Lastly, stir in the half and half and Parmesan, and stir to combine. Serve and enjoy!
