Tortellini Soup
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
35 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
500 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Tortellini Soup
Description
Tortellini Soup features a base of browned Italian sausage cooked with onions and garlic that provides a rich foundation of flavor. The addition of chicken stock and drained diced tomatoes brings a bright and savory broth, seasoned simply with salt and pepper. Cheese tortellini added near the end cooks through and softens, adding comforting, tender bites that complement the cooked sausage. Fresh baby spinach and basil fold in at the end, wilting just slightly and contributing freshness. Grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top adds a hint of sharpness. This soup is both filling and flavorful, striking a balance between meaty, cheesy, and herbaceous notes.
The soup works well as a main course or hearty starter, suitable for cooler days when warm sustenance is desired. Because it incorporates cheese-filled pasta and sausage, it is substantial enough to serve on its own or with a simple side salad or crusty bread.
Cooking times vary by tortellini brand, so check package instructions to ensure the pasta is cooked to your preference without becoming mushy. Ingredients like fresh herbs can be adjusted to taste, and extra vegetables such as carrots or kale can be added for more color and nutrition. For a creamy variation, stirring in a bit of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end creates a richer texture and flavor. Leftover cooked tortellini can be frozen on a tray before storing to preserve quality for another soup batch.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed (450g)
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (32-ounce) container chicken stock (960mL)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes drained (411g)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (9-ounce/255g) package cheese tortellini refrigerated
- 2 cups baby spinach 56g, packed fresh leaves
- 2 tablespoons basil chopped, fresh
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese freshly shredded
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the sausage, and cook, stirring often until browned and broken up, about 5 minutes.
- Add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the broth, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium, and continue cooking, uncovered and stirring occasionally for 15 minutes.
- Increase the heat to medium-high, and stir in the tortellini. Cook, stirring occasionally until tender. (Reference the tortellini package for cook times.) Stir in the spinach and basil until wilted, about 1 minute. Serve immediately sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Consult the tortellini package for cook times as they vary; adjust accordingly to avoid overcooking.
- Boost flavor by adding fresh herbs like thyme, fennel, or parsley with the onions or using spicy Italian sausage for heat.
- Vegetables such as carrots, celery, kale, zucchini, or sweet peppers can be added for more color and heartiness.
- Make this soup vegetarian by omitting sausage and swapping chicken stock for vegetable broth.
- Adding 1 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half when adding spinach and basil creates a creamy, velvety texture.
- Use up to 20 ounces of tortellini in the soup; freeze any extra pasta separately on a tray before storing.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 500 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 500kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 80mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 1491mg | 62% |
| Potassium | 563mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1080IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 139mg | 14% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.