Hearty Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Warming comfort arrives with this hearty sausage tortellini soup that promises pure culinary magic.

Robust flavors dance together in a delightful blend of tender pasta and savory meat.

Soft tortellini nestled among rich broth creates a satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings.

Italian-inspired ingredients bring depth and excitement to every spoonful you’ll savor.

Creamy textures mingle with zesty sausage, creating a symphony of taste that feels like a warm embrace.

Packed with nutrients and bold seasonings, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Why Sausage Tortellini Soup Is So Rich And Filling

• Savor Quick Comfort: Dive into a hearty soup that comes together faster than you'd expect, perfect for busy weeknights or when hunger strikes.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: This recipe introduces beginner-friendly methods like sautéing and simmering, helping home cooks build confidence in the kitchen.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Packed with protein from sausage, greens from spinach, and satisfying tortellini, this soup delivers a balanced and nourishing meal in one pot.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like sausage type or try different greens to make this recipe your own, creating a personalized dining experience that suits your taste buds.

What You’ll Need For Sausage Tortellini Soup

• Italian Sausage: A flavorful meat base that adds rich, savory depth to the soup.
• Cheese Tortellini: Pasta pillows filled with creamy cheese that provide hearty substance to the dish.
• Spinach: A fresh, green vegetable that brings color and nutritional value to the soup.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor base that creates a delicious foundation for the soup.
• Paprika, Italian Seasoning, Fennel Seeds, Salt: Spices and herbs that enhance the overall taste profile and add complexity to the soup.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and creating a smooth cooking base.
• Chicken Broth, Half and Half: Liquids that create the soup's creamy and flavorful broth.

How To Make Sausage Tortellini Soup Simply

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Onions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Gently cook diced onions, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet flavor.

Step 2: Brown Savory Sausage

Add Italian sausage to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to break it into crumbly pieces while cooking. Continue until the meat turns golden brown and loses its pink color completely.

Step 3: Build Flavor Foundation

• Minced garlic
• Paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Fennel seeds
• Salt

Stir everything together and cook until the kitchen fills with an enticing aroma.

Step 4: Create Creamy Liquid Base

Pour in chicken broth and half and half. Blend the liquids thoroughly, creating a rich, smooth foundation for the soup.

Step 5: Develop Deeper Flavors

Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat and let it bubble softly, allowing ingredients to mingle and intensify their taste for about 10 minutes.

Step 6: Add Cheesy Tortellini

Drop fresh cheese tortellini into the simmering soup. Cook according to package instructions until pasta becomes tender and plump.

Step 7: Incorporate Fresh Greens

Introduce fresh spinach to the soup. Stir until the leaves wilt and turn a vibrant green, adding a nutritious touch to the dish.

Step 8: Final Seasoning Touch

Taste the soup and adjust salt levels to personal preference. Ensure a perfect balance of flavors.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Serve immediately for maximum deliciousness and warmth.

Tips For A Flavorful Sausage Tortellini Soup

• Swap ground Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner protein option that keeps the soup's delicious flavor profile.
• Add extra depth by toasting fennel seeds before adding them to release their robust, aromatic qualities and enhance overall taste.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content and prevent the soup from becoming too salty during cooking.
• Prevent tortellini from overcooking by adding them toward the end of the cooking process and checking package instructions for precise timing.
• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain the creamy texture and prevent separating.

Variations To Try With Sausage Tortellini Soup

• Spicy Sausage Kick: Replace Italian sausage with spicy chorizo, add red pepper flakes, and use pepper jack cheese tortellini for extra heat.
• Vegetarian Comfort: Swap sausage with plant-based crumbles, use vegetable broth, and add roasted mushrooms for deep, meaty flavor.
• Mediterranean Inspired: Use lamb sausage, add oregano, swap spinach for kale, and finish with crumbled feta cheese on top.
• Creamy Seafood Version: Substitute sausage with cooked shrimp, use seafood stock, add a splash of white wine, and garnish with fresh dill.

What To Serve With Sausage Tortellini Soup

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Grab a robust Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, meaty sausage and creamy soup base. Its bold tannins cut through the richness while enhancing the Italian seasoning's depth.
• Crusty Garlic Bread Companion: Slice a fresh baguette, toast with garlic butter, and serve alongside the soup. The crispy texture and garlicky notes perfectly balance the creamy tortellini and provide a delightful dipping experience.
• Herbaceous Side Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, shaved parmesan, and toasted pine nuts. The peppery greens and bright acid will refresh the palate between hearty soup bites, creating a balanced meal.

How To Keep Sausage Tortellini Soup Fresh

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing tortellini, as it may become mushy when thawed.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Ensure the soup reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
• Pour soup into a pot, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying, and warm over medium-low heat.

Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe FAQs

• What makes the tortellini cook perfectly in the soup?

Adding the tortellini towards the end of cooking ensures they don’t become mushy. Follow the package directions and cook for just 3-4 minutes, which keeps them tender and prevents overcooking.

• Can I use different types of sausage in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can substitute Italian sausage with ground turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or even a spicy chorizo for a different flavor profile. Just ensure the meat is fully cooked before adding other ingredients.

• Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

Yes, the soup offers a good balance of protein from the sausage, carbohydrates from tortellini, and nutrients from spinach. The chicken broth and half and half provide additional richness and help create a satisfying meal.

Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 28-34 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty sausage tortellini soup brings comfort straight from Italian kitchens with robust flavors and creamy textures. Simmering with tender pasta, savory sausage, and rich broth, you will savor each spoonful of this warming culinary embrace.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage

Dairy:

• 2 cups half and half
• 10 ounces fresh cheese tortellini

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 small white onion, diced (approximately 1/2 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 23 handfuls fresh baby spinach (about 3 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

Cooking Liquid:

• 4 cups chicken broth

Cooking Fat:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium heat, sautéing diced onions until translucent and tender, approximately 3-4 minutes.
2. Incorporate Italian sausage into the pot, methodically crumbling the meat while cooking until it achieves a rich, golden-brown color and eliminates any raw pink appearance, roughly 5-6 minutes.
3. Infuse the mixture with minced garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and salt, stirring thoroughly to distribute spices evenly and releasing their aromatic essence for 1-2 minutes.
4. Stream chicken broth and half and half into the pot, whisking carefully to create a harmonious blend.
5. Elevate the liquid to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat, allowing flavors to meld and intensify during a 10-minute gentle cooking period.
6. Introduce fresh cheese tortellini directly into the simmering liquid, cooking precisely according to package instructions, typically 3-4 minutes until pasta reaches perfect tenderness.
7. Gently fold fresh spinach into the soup, allowing leaves to wilt and integrate seamlessly within 1-2 minutes.
8. Conduct a final taste assessment, adjusting seasoning with additional salt if necessary to enhance overall flavor profile.
9. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, presenting a comforting and aromatic culinary creation ready for immediate enjoyment.

Notes

• Customize Spice Levels by adjusting the amount of paprika and fennel seeds to match personal heat preferences.
• Choose Lean Sausage Options like turkey or chicken sausage for a lower-fat alternative that maintains robust flavor profiles.
• Enhance Vegetable Content by adding extra vegetables like diced carrots or zucchini during the onion cooking stage for increased nutrition.
• Make Gluten-Free by substituting regular tortellini with gluten-free cheese tortellini and ensuring chicken broth is certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 8-10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-24 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 460 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 710 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg