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Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
4.8 from 183 votes

Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup features browned mild Italian sausage simmered with a mixture of vegetables, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes. Cheese tortellini and chopped kale enrich the soup’s texture and heartiness. Fresh basil and Parmesan cheese deepen the flavor with herbaceous and savory notes. An optional addition of heavy cream lends a creamy finish. This soup balances meatiness with fresh greens and tender pasta for a well-rounded meal soup.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian sausage mild, ground
  • 1 yellow onion chopped, medium
  • 1 red bell pepper seeds removed and chopped, small
  • 1 carrot chopped, medium
  • 3 garlic minced, cloves
  • 4 cups chicken broth or stock
  • 28 oz diced tomatoes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • crushed red pepper flakes dash
  • 10 ounces cheese tortellini
  • 2 cups kale stems removed, chopped
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving, freshly grated
  • 1/4 cup basil chopped, fresh
  • 1 cup heavy cream optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the sausage and cook stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked sausage to a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.
  2. Add the onion, red pepper, and carrot to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Add the chicken broth, tomatoes, bay leaf, salt, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and add the tortellini. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until tortellini is cooked through.
  4. Add the sausage back to the pot and stir in the kale, Parmesan cheese, and basil. If you are using the heavy cream, stir it in. If you aren’t using the cream, you might need to add 1 more cup of broth, depending on how thick you like your soup.
  5. Remove the bay leaf. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

  • For a creamier soup, stir in heavy cream at the end; if omitted, add an extra cup of broth to adjust thickness.
  • Remove the bay leaf before serving to avoid an intense herbal taste.
  • Use mild Italian sausage for balanced seasoning, or substitute with spicy sausage for added heat.
  • The soup reheats well and thickens upon standing; add additional broth to loosen if needed.