Description
This Sausage Tortellini Soup with Spinach is a hearty and creamy Italian-inspired dish perfect for cozy meals. Featuring savory Italian sausage, tender cheese tortellini, and fresh spinach all simmered in a flavorful broth enriched with tomatoes and cream, this soup is both comforting and satisfying. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, it makes a wonderful weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Main Ingredients
- 9 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 3 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
Finishing Touches
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes along with their juices. Stir in dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Soup: Once boiling, reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes to marry the flavors together.
- Cook Tortellini and Add Spinach: Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini to the soup and cook according to package instructions, about 4-6 minutes. Add the roughly chopped spinach and stir until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Finish with Cream: Reduce heat to low, stir in the heavy cream, and let the soup simmer gently for another 2 minutes to thicken and enrich the broth.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, topping each bowl with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter soup, substitute half-and-half in place of heavy cream.
- Swap spinach for kale if you prefer a heartier green in your soup.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Note that the tortellini may soften but will remain flavorful.
