Description
Sausage Tortellini Soup is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired dish combining spicy Italian sausage, tender cheese-filled tortellini, and a flavorful broth enriched with vegetables and Italian herbs. Perfect for cozy dinners any time of year, this easy-to-make one-pot meal offers bold flavors and satisfying textures that warm you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound Italian sausage (spicy or mild, casing removed)
Pasta
- 9 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
Liquids
- 6 cups chicken broth
Herbs & Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh basil
- Drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Crumble the Italian sausage into a large pot over medium heat. Cook it thoroughly until browned and fragrant oils release, forming a rich flavor base for the soup.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the browned sausage. Stir and cook until the onions soften and become translucent, enhancing the soup’s savory depth.
- Add Broth and Tomatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine all flavors, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld.
- Incorporate Greens and Spices: Stir in your choice of spinach or kale along with dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Allow the greens to wilt naturally in the hot broth.
- Cook the Tortellini: Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, usually 3–5 minutes, until tender and cooked through. The pasta will absorb the soup’s rich flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh tortellini for quicker cooking time and a superior texture.
- Do not overcook the tortellini to avoid mushiness; add it last and remove from heat when tender.
- Skim excess sausage fat after browning to keep the soup lighter without losing flavor.
- Freeze individual portions for convenient future meals; omit tortellini when freezing and add fresh when reheating.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan or a drizzle of olive oil before serving for added richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: sausage tortellini soup, Italian soup, comfort food, one-pot meal, easy soup recipe, hearty soup, cheesy tortellini soup
