Hearty Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/hearty-butternut-squash-soup

The comforting combination of squash, meat, beans and veggies makes this my go-to soup in fall. It's full of freshness. —Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids, Michigan

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 minutes.

Cook: 40 minutes.

YIELD: 12 servings

Ingredients

· 1 pound bulk Italian sausage

· 1 medium onion, chopped

· 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped

· 4 garlic cloves, minced

· 1 large butternut squash (about 5 pounds), peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces

· 1 package (16 ounces) frozen corn, divided

· 4 cups water

· 1 tablespoon chicken base

· 2 cans (15-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained

· 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

· 1 teaspoon salt

· 1/4 teaspoon pepper

· Heavy whipping cream and minced fresh parsley, optional

Directions

· 1. In a stockpot, cook sausage, onion and red pepper over medium heat 9-11 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink and onion is tender, breaking up sausage into crumbles. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Remove with a slotted spoon; discard drippings.

· 2. Add squash, 1-1/2 cups corn, water and chicken base to same pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 15-20 minutes or until squash is tender.

· 3. Remove soup from heat; cool slightly. Process in batches in a blender until smooth. Return to pot. Add beans, tomatoes, salt, pepper, sausage mixture and remaining corn; heat through. If desired, drizzle servings with cream and sprinkle with parsley.
Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary. Yield: 12 servings (4-1/2 quarts).

Nutritional Facts

1-1/2 cups (calculated without cream) equals 327 calories, 13 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 29 mg cholesterol, 937 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrate, 11 g fiber, 13 g protein.

God Bless and have a GREAT DAY!