Description
Hearty Italian “creamy tortellini soup” invites comfort with rich, cheesy goodness. Packed with tender pasta, savory herbs, and velvety broth, you’ll savor each spoonful of this soul-warming culinary embrace.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cups fresh spinach (or kale, roughly chopped)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Liquids and Pantry Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce/411 grams) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 (9-ounce/255 grams) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
Garnish (Optional):
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Initiate the sausage preparation by sizzling it in a spacious pot over moderate flame. Render the meat into crumbly fragments, ensuring a golden-brown exterior. Drain excess fat if necessary to maintain a clean cooking surface.
- Introduce aromatic vegetables into the pot, including finely chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery. Allow these ingredients to soften and release their fragrant essence, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
- Elevate the flavor profile by sprinkling dried herbs and optional spicy red pepper flakes. Pour in rich chicken broth and chunky diced tomatoes, creating a robust liquid base. Accelerate to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, permitting the ingredients to harmonize their flavors.
- Incorporate velvety heavy cream and delicate tortellini into the simmering mixture. Continue cooking until pasta reaches perfect tenderness, maintaining a slow, steady heat. Gently fold in fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt gracefully and integrate into the soup’s landscape.
- Transform the pot’s contents into individual serving bowls, showcasing the vibrant medley of ingredients. Enhance the presentation with a delicate sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and optional chopped parsley. Complement the soup with rustic bread or a crisp side salad for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Choose lean or plant-based sausage for a healthier version, reducing saturated fat while maintaining rich flavor profiles.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt to create lighter, diet-friendly alternatives that still provide creamy texture.
- Prep vegetables in advance to streamline cooking process and ensure consistent, quick cooking without last-minute chopping stress.
- Consider freezing extra portions in airtight containers for convenient meal prep, maintaining soup’s delicious taste and nutrition for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg