Go Back

Harvest Moon Pumpkin, Sausage, and Tortellini Soup

A hearty and comforting soup that combines pumpkin, sausage, and tortellini, perfect for cooler days.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound Italian sausage mild or hot
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 can (15 ounces) plain pumpkin purée not pumpkin pie filling
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon vegetable base optional
  • 1 package (18 to 20 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 generous handfuls baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Method
 

Cooking the Soup
  1. Add the Italian sausage to a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook the sausage, breaking it into bite-size pieces until browned.
  2. If the sausage releases a lot of grease, spoon off the excess, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pot.
  3. Add the diced onion and butter, and cook for about 5 minutes until the onion is softened.
  4. Add the garlic, sage, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
  5. Stir in the pumpkin purée.
  6. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring until the pumpkin is completely blended into the broth.
  7. Stir in the Better Than Bouillon vegetable base, if using.
  8. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  9. Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini and cook according to the package directions, usually about 4 to 7 minutes.
  10. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, spinach, and Parmesan cheese.
  11. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the spinach is wilted and the soup is heated through.
  12. Taste before adding salt, adjusting seasoning as necessary.

Notes

For added flavor, consider using homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought. If you want a bit more heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes. Feel free to mix in other vegetables like carrots or kale for extra nutrition. For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and use vegetable broth.