Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup (Print Version)
A rich one-pot tortellini soup with Italian sausage, tomatoes, spinach, cream, and Parmesan.
# Ingredients:
For the soup base
01 -
1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
02 -
1 lb (450 g) mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
03 -
1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 -
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
05 -
2 celery stalks, sliced
06 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
07 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 -
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
09 -
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
10 -
1 (14.5 oz or 410 g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
11 -
5 cups (1.2 L) low-sodium chicken broth
12 -
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
13 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
To finish
14 -
18 oz (510 g) refrigerated cheese tortellini
15 -
3 cups (90 g) fresh baby spinach
16 -
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
17 -
1/2 cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
18 -
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through. Add olive oil only if the pot looks dry.
02 -
Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring often, until the onion softens and the carrots begin to turn tender.
03 -
Stir in garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens slightly and the garlic smells fragrant.
04 -
Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, and black pepper. Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10-12 minutes until the carrots are tender.
05 -
Stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, or until the pasta is tender but not falling apart.
06 -
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in spinach, heavy cream, Parmesan, and herbs. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
# Notes:
01 -
Best served right after the tortellini cooks.
02 -
For meal prep, store cooked tortellini separately from the soup base.
03 -
Use hot Italian sausage for a spicier broth.