Tortellini Sausage Soup
User Reviews
4.6
Tortellini Sausage Soup
Description
This soup starts by browning Italian sausage removed from its casing, which provides a rich, savory base. Garlic and onion are sautéed alongside for aromatic depth. Chicken broth combined with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, apple cider, and dried herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley creates a flavorful simmering broth.
Carrots are cooked until tender before freshly grated zucchini is added toward the end of cooking, contributing a mild sweetness and texture without requiring peeling. Cheese tortellini is folded in last and cooked just a few minutes to prevent breakdown, offering tender, cheesy bites throughout the soup.
The finished soup melds savory sausage, bright tomatoes, and subtly sweet apple cider. It can be garnished with fresh Parmesan cheese for additional flavor. The recipe suggests substitutions for off-season vegetables and alternatives for apple cider, helping accommodate ingredient availability.
This soup serves as a warming meal suitable for cooler days and provides a balanced mix of protein, vegetables, and comforting pasta.
Ingredients
- 3 links Italian sausage the kind that is uncooked in casings - see note
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 onion diced
- 4 cups chicken broth low-sodium
- ½ cup apple cider
- 1 (15-ounce) (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8-ounce) (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup carrot chopped
- 1 teaspoon basil dried
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 2 medium zucchini grated (no need to peel)
- 2 tablespoons parsley dried
- 8-10 ounce ounce package cheese tortellini refrigerated or frozen
Instructions
- Remove the casings by slicing down one side of the sausage and peeling the casing back from the sausage. In a large pot, cook the sausage over medium heat until it starts to brown, using a wooden spoon to crumble as it cooks. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Continue cooking until the onions are translucent and the sausage is cooked through. Drain any excess grease, if needed (alternately, if your sausage is extra lean, you may need to add a drizzle of olive oil to keep it from sticking).
- Stir in the chicken broth, apple cider, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, carrots, oregano, and basil. Bring the soup to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in zucchini and parsley simmer for 10-12 minutes. Add the tortellini and cook until tender (usually only a couple of minutes, even when the packages call for 7-9 minutes cooking time, I only cook the tortellini for 4-5 minutes so it doesn't fall apart). Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan, if desired.
Notes
- If zucchini is unavailable, substitute with chopped spinach or frozen peas to maintain vegetable content.
- Apple cider adds unique flavor; if unavailable, apple juice can be used, or omitted if necessary.
- Use Italian sausage in casings and uncooked for best texture; chicken sausage is an acceptable leaner alternative.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 418kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 57mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 1246mg | 52% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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