Description
This Sausage Tortellini Soup with Spinach is the ultimate comfort bowl, combining savory Italian sausage, tender cheese tortellini, and fresh spinach in a creamy, flavorful broth. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup balances rich textures and hearty ingredients, making it a satisfying dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Sauté Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Soup Base
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Greens
- 1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
Finishing Touches
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks. If there’s excess grease, drain it; otherwise, add a little olive oil if the pot is dry.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the sausage and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Create the Soup Base: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the chicken broth. Stir in the Italian seasoning and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cook Tortellini and Spinach: Add the cheese tortellini to the pot and cook according to package directions, typically 5–7 minutes. When the tortellini is nearly done, stir in the fresh baby spinach and cook until wilted.
- Finish with Cream and Seasoning: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy warm as a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- For a lighter soup, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream or omit the cream entirely.
- Turkey sausage can be substituted for a leaner option.
- Frozen tortellini may be used; just adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spiciness according to preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
