Pumpkin Tortellini with Chicken Sausage (Print Version)

Creamy pumpkin soup with cheesy tortellini, chicken sausage, and fresh kale—a comforting autumn bowl ready in 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Produce

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 cups pumpkin puree
05 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
06 - 4 cups chopped kale, stems removed
07 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

→ Meats

08 - 12 ounces chicken sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

→ Pasta

09 - 9 ounces cheese tortellini, fresh or refrigerated

→ Dairy

10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

→ Garnish

15 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional
16 - Chopped fresh parsley, optional

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and carrot; sauté 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sliced chicken sausage; cook 3 to 4 minutes until sausage is lightly browned.
02 - Stir in pumpkin puree, chicken broth, dried thyme, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring mixture to a simmer.
03 - Add chopped kale and cheese tortellini; simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until tortellini are tender and kale is wilted.
04 - Lower heat and stir in heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes as desired.
05 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if using. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy pumpkin base hides a gentle warmth from the nutmeg that surprises everyone.
  • It feels like a fancy restaurant meal but actually comes together in less time than a grocery run.
02 -
  • If you let the tortellini sit in the leftovers for too long they will absorb all the broth.
  • Browning the sausage well creates a deep savory layer that makes the pumpkin flavor pop.
03 -
  • Grating your own Parmesan cheese makes a huge difference in how smoothly it melts into the soup.
  • Wait to add the cream until the heat is low to prevent any unwanted curdling.
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