Million Dollar Soup (Print Version)
Luxurious creamy soup with butternut squash, chicken sausage, bacon and white beans - hearty, flavorful and worth every bite.
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
2 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
02 -
1 (11-oz.) package chicken sausage, sliced
03 -
2 teaspoons olive oil
04 -
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
05 -
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cracked black pepper, divided
06 -
10 sprigs fresh thyme, divided
07 -
5 slices center-cut bacon, chopped
08 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 -
1 small white onion, chopped
10 -
3 ribs celery, chopped
11 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
12 -
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
13 -
3/4 cup dry white wine
14 -
5 cups chicken stock
15 -
2 (15.5-oz.) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
16 -
2 tablespoons heavy cream
17 -
1 lemon, zested
18 -
1 bunch dinosaur kale, ribs removed and roughly torn (about 2 cups)
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Heat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
02 -
Toss butternut squash, chicken sausage, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 sprigs of thyme. Roast for 25 minutes.
03 -
In a Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and reserve the rendered fat.
04 -
Add butter to the Dutch oven along with onion, celery, and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until softened.
05 -
Stir in flour, then pour in white wine while stirring. Cook for 1 minute, allowing the flour to incorporate and wine to reduce slightly.
06 -
Add chicken stock, cannellini beans, remaining kosher salt, black pepper, and thyme sprigs. Simmer for 10 minutes.
07 -
Blend 3 cups of the soup until smooth, then return it to the pot and stir well.
08 -
Stir in heavy cream and lemon zest for added flavor.
09 -
Add the roasted squash, sausage, and kale to the soup. Cook for 3–5 minutes until the kale wilts.
10 -
Serve soup with crispy bacon bits and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
For best flavor, roast the squash until caramelized and add lemon zest at the end for brightness.