Description
Hearty sausage and tortellini soup brings robust Italian flavors to your winter table with rich, comforting ingredients. Creamy cheese-filled pasta nestled among tender sausage chunks creates a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 package (9 oz) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
Liquids, Seasonings, and Extras:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- 4 cups (32 ounces) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Thoroughly brown sausage in a large pot, crumbling the meat and rendering any excess fat. Drizzle olive oil if the meat lacks natural rendering.
- Introduce diced onions, minced garlic, julienned carrots, and finely chopped celery into the pot. Sauté until vegetables become translucent and slightly tender.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and sprinkle dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Elevate heat to create a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 12-15 minutes.
- Carefully fold tortellini into the simmering liquid, allowing them to cook until they float and become plump. Fresh tortellini will require approximately 5-7 minutes, while frozen variety might need slightly longer.
- Incorporate fresh spinach leaves, gently stirring until they wilt and integrate seamlessly into the soup’s texture. The leaves should transform from vibrant green to a softer, darker shade.
- Conduct a final seasoning assessment, adjusting salt and pepper to personal preference. Ladle the aromatic soup into serving bowls and crown with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Swap sausage for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of the soup that’s perfect for those watching fat intake.
- Freeze leftovers in individual portions for quick meal prep, ensuring the tortellini doesn’t become mushy by adding fresh spinach when reheating.
- Use gluten-free tortellini and check sausage ingredients to make this recipe completely gluten-free and suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
- Enhance flavor depth by deglazing the pot with a splash of white wine after cooking sausage, which adds complexity and richness to the overall soup profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg