This pumpkin soup is a favorite in our home, bringing all the flavors of fall and winter into a filling soup. We love the warm pumpkin flavor and how quickly this filling and nourishing soup can be made. Topping with bacon bits and heavy cream or coconut milk makes this easy soup festive and beautiful.
Pumpkin Sausage Soup (keto, GAPS, dairy-optional)
This delicious filling soup is a snap to put together on a weeknight, and is delicious the next day as leftovers! If you are in a hurry, store-bought sausage can be purchased, as well as the can of pumpkin and pre-made chicken stock.
If you are in a homemade mood, use our breakfast sausage recipe, cook your own winter squash (any kind will work in this autumn soup, but pumpkin, butternut, or kabocha are recommended), and make your own chicken stock.
Ingredients
- 2 slices bacon or 1 tablespoon bacon fat
- 1 pound pork sausage uncooked
- 1 onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
- 1 15 ounce can pumpkin
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or 1 can coconut milk (dairy free)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
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Fry 2 slices of bacon in the bottom of a small stock pot or in the instant pot on saute mode, medium heat. Once crisp, remove and reserve to garnish soup at the end.
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Brown sausage, drain, then add the onion, garlic, Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes, and sea salt, and sauté until done.
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Add pumpkin to this mixture and mix well.
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Stir in the broth and mix well.
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Simmer 20-30 minutes.
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Stir in half of the the heavy cream or coconut milk and water and simmer on low another 10-15 minute. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve, garnishing with remaining cream or coconut milk and topping with optional crumbled bacon.
Recipe Notes
Keto: Yes, you can have pumpkin on keto! This recipe has 8 g net carbs.
Dairy-Free: Use full-fat coconut milk in the can.
This can be made into curry flavor by omitting the italian seasoning and adding in 1 inch of grated fresh garlic and an additional clove of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon curry powder if desired.
Slow-cooker version: I like doing my slow cooker recipes in the Instant Pot because I can brown the meat right in the Instant Pot in the morning, and then set it to slow cook. Prepare the recipe to where you add in the chicken stock (add that, do not add the cream) and then add an additional cup of water.
Set recipe to slow cook 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low, and then uncover. Add in the cream and adjust salt and pepper to taste about 15 minutes before serving, omitting the last cup of water.
Can’t wait to try this! Just a note for those on the GAPS diet (or who are sensitive to cane sugar like me)- you’re going to have to really search for bacon that is SUGAR FREE! Almost all pork (and lunch meats, and just about everything we eat) is loaded with cane sugar, so be ware!
This is one of my favorite soups! Thanks for a great recipe!
This is DELICIOUS!! My husband has a hard time getting full on soup but this one hit the spot for him. My picky 8 year-old-who-probably-needs-GAPS asked for SECONDS. And I loved it as well. The rest of the family was a mixed bag but I’m calling it a win and will make it again to freeze leftovers for those who loved it.