Pin it
Hearty Sausage Pumpkin Soup with Tortellini and Kale brings fall comfort right to your table. This filling soup mixes tasty Italian sausage, smooth pumpkin puree, fresh kale, and cheese-stuffed tortellini in a thick, tasty broth. Great for warm family meals, this simple one-pot wonder goes great with a chunk of crusty bread.
A Warming Autumn Bowl
Whenever I whip up this soup my home fills with wonderful smells of sausage and sage mixing with the sweet pumpkin notes. It's become what I reach for when temperatures drop not only because it tastes amazing but also because it's truly a whole meal in one pot. The mix of soft tortellini flavorful sausage and healthy kale fills up even the hungriest folks at my table.
Ingredients You'll Want
- Olive Oil: To cook your veggies and build those tasty flavors.
- Yellow Onion: Brings natural sweetness and richness to your soup base.
- Garlic: Freshly chopped for that punch of flavor.
- Fresh Sage: Gives that warm, woody flavor touch.
- Italian Chicken Sausage: Packs protein and flavor, choose spicy or mild.
- Pumpkin Purée: Your key ingredient for smoothness and subtle sweetness.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Makes your flavorful base without too much salt.
- Heavy Cream: Creates that silky smooth texture.
- Kale: Adds nutrients and a nice chewy bite.
- Refrigerated Cheese Tortellini: Brings that yummy cheese-filled pasta goodness.
Cooking Steps
- Cook Your Flavor Base
- Warm olive oil in your favorite pot. Toss in chopped onion, garlic, and sage leaves. Let them cook on medium until they smell amazing, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook Your Meat
- Throw in your broken-up chicken sausage. Let it cook for 3-5 minutes, giving it a stir now and then until it's nicely browned.
- Mix In The Pumpkin
- Stir in your pumpkin puree, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, making sure everything gets mixed well.
- Pour In Your Liquids
- Add your chicken broth and heavy cream. Mix it all up and bring it to a gentle bubble.
- Put In The Greens
- Mix in your torn kale pieces, pushing them under the liquid. Cover and cook on medium-low for 10-15 minutes.
- Finish With Pasta
- Drop in your cheese tortellini and let bubble for 2 minutes until they're soft. Enjoy hot with any toppings you love.
Tips For Success
After making this soup countless times I've learned some handy tricks. Spending time to gently cook those onions until they're see-through but not brown really brings out their sweet taste. Breaking the sausage into tiny bits while cooking means you'll get that amazing flavor in every bite. And when I add the cream I always pour it in slowly while stirring to get that super smooth texture.
Switch Things Up
You can easily change this soup to fit what you need or like. I've used coconut milk instead of cream for friends who can't do dairy and it turns out great with a light nutty taste. Sometimes I switch spinach for kale or throw in extra veggies like carrots and celery. For my vegetarian pals I use fake meat sausage and veggie broth which keeps all the comfort without any meat.
Keeping It Fresh
My best trick for leftovers is keeping the soup liquid apart from the tortellini. This stops your pasta from getting mushy and keeps that perfect bite. When you want to eat it again just warm the soup gently on the stove and put the tortellini back in right before you eat. It tastes just as good as when you first made it.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I prepare onions perfectly?
Heat gently until they turn see-through and soft, avoiding browning to keep the taste sweet. Turn down the heat if needed.
- → How should I cook the sausage correctly?
Break it into smaller chunks, spreading evenly in the pan. Let it sit and brown before stirring for deeper flavor.
- → What are the best toppings for this dish?
Grate fresh Parmigiano Reggiano on top and drizzle olive oil. For more flavor, set out extra grated cheese.
- → Can I try other kinds of kale?
Absolutely. Both curly kale and lacinato work great—it’s just a matter of what you like!
- → Why’s a heavy-bottomed pot important?
It spreads heat evenly across the surface, helping cook everything consistently and avoiding burning spots.
Conclusion
This warm fall soup features the bold combo of pumpkin, sausage, and tortellini in a creamy mix, perfect to enjoy in just over half an hour.