Description
Hearty tortellini soup showcases Italian comfort with cheese-filled pasta swimming in a rich, velvety broth. Warm, satisfying ingredients blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each comforting spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 (9 oz/255 g) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 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 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Sausage Preparation: Sizzle sausage in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces until golden-brown. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Vegetable Infusion: Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté until vegetables soften and release aromatic flavors, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Flavor Building: Sprinkle dried herbs and red pepper flakes. Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop depth.
- Creamy Pasta Integration: Stir in heavy cream and tortellini, cooking until pasta reaches al dente texture. Gently fold in spinach leaves, letting them wilt and incorporate seamlessly into the soup’s rich landscape.
- Serving Finale: Ladle soup into individual bowls. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and optional chopped parsley. Serve alongside crusty bread or a crisp salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Control Sausage Fat: Drain excess grease after browning to prevent an overly oily soup and maintain a clean, balanced flavor profile.
- Vegetable Softening Strategy: Sauté vegetables slowly over medium heat to develop deeper, richer flavor notes without burning or creating bitter undertones.
- Tortellini Texture Tip: Add pasta during the final 10 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain a perfect al dente consistency that doesn’t become mushy.
- Cream Integration Technique: Add heavy cream at the end and avoid boiling to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, silky texture throughout the soup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg