Cozy Bowls of Joy: Hearty Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

Steaming bowls of comfort emerge from a classic sausage tortellini soup that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Rustic flavors blend seamlessly with tender pasta and savory sausage in this hearty dish.

Robust ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste that feels like a culinary embrace.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this simple yet delectable recipe.

Each spoonful delivers rich, comforting notes that transport you to a cozy kitchen.

Fragrant herbs and robust sausage elevate this soup from ordinary to extraordinary.

Don’t miss the chance to transform your dinner into a memorable meal that everyone will love.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes, you can substitute Italian sausage with hot or mild sausage, ground turkey sausage, or even chicken sausage depending on your preference and dietary needs.

• Is this soup freezer-friendly?

This soup freezes well without the cream and spinach. Add those fresh when reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

• How can I make this soup lighter?

Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lower-fat version. You can also use turkey sausage instead of pork sausage to reduce overall calories.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Swap sausage with plant-based sausage or extra vegetables like mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and choose cheese-filled tortellini for protein.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 520 kcal

Servings: 6

Tortellini Soup Ingredient Rundown

• Italian Sausage: Provides rich, hearty flavor and protein punch, choose fresh ground sausage with robust seasoning.
• Olive Oil: Creates perfect sautéing foundation, opt for extra virgin for deeper taste profile.

• Onion, Garlic: Build deep foundational flavor, select firm produce without soft spots.
• Carrots, Celery: Add sweetness and crisp texture, pick vibrant, firm vegetables for maximum nutrition.

• Chicken Broth: Delivers smooth, savory liquid base, choose low-sodium for better flavor control.
• Diced Tomatoes: Introduces bright acidic undertone, select fire-roasted for enhanced depth.
• Dried Basil, Oregano: Infuse classic Italian herb essence, ensure herbs are fresh and fragrant.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides gentle heat kick, adjust quantity based on spice preference.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky texture, select high-fat content cream for richness.
• Cheese Tortellini: Adds hearty pasta element, choose fresh or refrigerated for best quality.
• Fresh Spinach: Introduces nutritious green component, pick crisp, bright leaves.

• Parmesan Cheese: Offers sharp, salty garnish, grate fresh for maximum flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides vibrant herbal accent, select bright green, crisp leaves.

Tools to Make a Rich, Creamy Soup

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking the entire soup, providing ample space for ingredients and even heat distribution.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for breaking up sausage and stirring ingredients without scratching the pot's surface.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, carrots, and celery into uniform pieces.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables and preventing knife damage.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps accurately measure broth, cream, and spices for balanced flavor.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving soup into bowls with precision and control.
• Cheese Grater: Used for freshly grating Parmesan cheese as a delicious garnish.

Simmer Tortellini with Sausage in a Cream Base

• Brown the Sausage

Warm up a large pot and sizzle the sausage until golden, breaking it into tasty little bits. Drain any extra fat for a cleaner flavor base.

• Wake Up the Veggies

Toss in chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Let them dance and soften, releasing their delicious aromas into the pot.

• Build the Flavor Foundation

Sprinkle in herbs and a touch of heat. Pour in broth and tomatoes, bringing everything to a gentle bubble. Let the ingredients get acquainted for a few minutes.

• Create the Creamy

Stir in rich cream and cozy tortellini. Let them mingle and become tender. Tuck in fresh spinach at the last moment, letting it wilt gracefully.

• Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls. Crown with a shower of Parmesan and fresh parsley if you’re feeling extra fancy. Grab some crusty bread and enjoy your comforting creation.

Tips to Keep Pasta from Getting Mushy

• Prepare the soup base without tortellini and cream, then refrigerate for up to 2 days. Add tortellini and cream just before serving to maintain perfect texture and prevent soggy pasta.
• Swap Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based sausage for a leaner or vegetarian version. Each protein brings a unique flavor profile to the soup.
• Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lactose-free alternative. These substitutes add richness without compromising the soup's creamy texture.
• Experiment with different herb combinations like fresh thyme or rosemary. Add a splash of white wine during sautéing vegetables for deeper, more complex flavor notes.
• Freeze the soup without spinach and cream. When ready to serve, thaw, reheat, and stir in fresh spinach and cream for a quick, delicious meal that tastes freshly made.

Serve Hot with Crusty Bread

• Cozy Bread Companions: Serve with warm, crusty sourdough or garlic bread to soak up the rich, creamy broth and enhance the soup's hearty flavors.
• Salad Sidekick: Pair with a crisp mixed green salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and add a fresh, light element to the meal.
• Wine Pairing Pleasure: Complement the soup with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or a light Pinot Noir to elevate the dining experience and bring out the sausage's robust taste.
• Breakfast Remix: Transform leftovers into a morning meal by topping a slice of toast with the soup and a poached egg for a satisfying and unique breakfast option.

Store Soup in Meal Portions

• Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping soup refrigerated for 35 days. Ensure containers are sealed tightly to maintain flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze soup without cream or tortellini for optimal texture. Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch headspace. Label with date and contents, storing up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm soup slowly in saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth to restore consistency if needed. Avoid boiling to prevent tortellini from becoming mushy and cream from separating.
• Divide soup into individual meal-sized containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Separate spinach and garnishes when storing to maintain crisp texture and prevent wilting. Prepare smaller batches if expecting varied meal preferences.

Hearty Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup combines Italian comfort with rich, satisfying flavors. Warm pasta and spicy sausage create a perfect winter meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 4 cups (946 ml) fresh spinach (or kale, roughly chopped)
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
• 1 (9 oz/255 g) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (garnish)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (garnish)

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Brown sausage in a large pot over medium heat, breaking into small pieces until golden and crisp. Remove excess grease if needed.
2. Vegetable Foundations: Sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery in the same pot until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, releasing their natural sweetness.
3. Seasoning and Liquid Integration: Sprinkle basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes, then pour chicken broth and tomatoes. Bring to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for 15 minutes.
4. Creamy Transformation: Stir in heavy cream and tortellini, cooking until pasta reaches perfect tenderness and absorbs surrounding flavors, approximately 4-5 minutes.
5. Final Flourish: Incorporate fresh spinach, letting leaves wilt gracefully into the soup. Remove from heat and garnish with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve immediately with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete, comforting meal.

Notes

• Manage Sausage Fat: Drain excess grease after browning to prevent soup from becoming overly oily and maintain a balanced flavor profile.
• Control Tortellini Cooking: Avoid overcooking pasta by adding tortellini near the end of preparation, ensuring it remains tender and doesn’t become mushy.
• Balance Cream Integration: Add heavy cream slowly and stir gently to prevent separation, creating a smooth and consistent creamy texture.
• Adjust Spice Levels: Customize red pepper flakes to match personal heat preferences, allowing flexibility for different taste sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg