Butternut squash, turkey Italian sausage, cannelini bean soup

My best friend had a scary health diagnosis a few days after Christmas, and it was just the kick in the butt I needed. I'm a great procrastinator, and always going to do something about my weight "tomorrow." Well, the "tomorrow" after she told me about her diagnosis, I joined Weight Watchers. I've always eaten very healthy, but portion control is unknown to me, apparently. The new Freestyle plan, allows almost unlimited amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins, so I've been throwing together some low point recipes. My soup recipes are pretty "loose", I don't really measure much, but here's the one I made today, and it's delish.


2 tsp. olive oil
2 diced onions
minced garlic (as much or little as you like)
one medium butternut squash, cubed
8 cups broth
one can cannellini beans, rinsed
one 28oz. can diced tomatoes
some parsley
a box of frozen, chopped spinach
1.25lb pkg of turkey Italian sausage, removed from casing, browned and broken into small pieces with the back of a wooden spoon

I sauteed the onions and garlic in the two tsp. of olive oil. Then added the broth, and the squash, followed by the tomatoes, parsley, and the browned sausage. When the squash was tender, I added the cannellini beans, and spinach. I also threw in a couple of bay leaves, some crushed red pepper for a little heat, and spoonful of tomato paste, because I love the flavor it adds to almost any soup. It really hit the spot on this cold, winter day!  Hope you're all staying warm.

Sounds good!!

I just started weight watchers (partially).  I made a chili with ground turkey.  It was delicious.   Turkey, Bean and Vegetable Chili.  2 points for 1.5 cups.

I am also going to try some turkey burgers.

Recipe, please.

@yolos wrote:I just started weight watchers (partially).  I made a chili with ground turkey.  It was delicious.   Turkey, Bean and Vegetable Chili.  2 points for 1.5 cups.

I am also going to try some turkey burgers.

Yes, I'd like that recipe too! How's WW going for you so far? And what's partially? I have to say that I've yet to be hungry. WW steers you towards fresh fruit, veggies, lean protein and legumes, so it's right up my alley. My problem has always been portion control, and I'm finding that having to track everything I'm eating is making me much more aware of what I'm consuming. And I'm a visual person, so I like the visuals on the website, like the dial that shows how many points you have left for the day, and the graph when you lose weight. I'm doing it all on line, so those have been helpful. And finding tasty recipes like Chili for 2points! So recipe please!!!

I love ground turkey!

WW turkey, bean and vegetable chili recipe?

@sanderson wrote:WW turkey, bean and vegetable chili recipe?

https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/recipe/turkey-bean-and-vegetable-chili-1/5626a6242084d63a3401b17c

I did not add the Cayenne pepper.