Golden Harvest Soup: Roasted Butternut Squash with Sausage and Kale

This hearty Golden Harvest Soup celebrates the best of autumn flavors, blending creamy roasted butternut squash, sweet potato, and robust Italian sausage with a medley of warming spices and seasonal vegetables. With a touch of creaminess and a vibrant pop of fresh herbs, this soup is comforting and filling, perfect for crisp fall or winter days.

How to Make It:

Roasting the Vegetables – Begin by roasting the butternut squash and sweet potatoes to intensify their natural sweetness and achieve a tender texture. A drizzle of olive oil ensures even caramelization in the oven, and this step is essential to creating the soup’s creamy, velvety base.

Browning the Sausage – Cooking the sausage (or ground turkey) separately allows it to brown and develop a rich, meaty flavor without becoming too soft or breaking down in the broth. Once browned, it’s set aside to be added back in later, ensuring every bite has a hearty texture.

Building the Flavor Base – In the same Dutch oven, the garlic, onions, and red bell pepper are sautéed to release their flavors. These aromatics, combined with the herbs, bring a savory depth to the soup that balances the sweetness of the squash and sweet potato.

Creating the Soup Base – The roasted butternut squash is blended until smooth to create a creamy, rich base. This puree, along with the broth and remaining ingredients, is added to the pot and slowly simmered, allowing all flavors to meld together beautifully. Adding the bay leaf, fresh herbs, and a dash of hot sauce (if desired) infuses the soup with layers of warmth and complexity.

Simmering to Perfection – Letting the soup simmer for a half-hour allows the kale to soften slightly while still maintaining its texture, and gives the beans time to soak up the savory broth. This slow cooking process harmonizes all the flavors, making each spoonful balanced and satisfying.

Finishing Touches – Garnishing with a swirl of heavy cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a beautiful contrast to the soup’s deep orange color and brings a touch of freshness and creaminess. The cream gives it a luxurious texture, while the parsley adds a hint of brightness.

Serve this soup with crusty bread or a warm, herbed focaccia to soak up every drop. A side salad or a slice of garlic bread can round out the meal for a cozy, nourishing experience. Perfect for family gatherings or as a simple, soul-warming weeknight dinner, this Golden Harvest Soup is sure to become a seasonal favorite!