Description
Hearty Sausage Tortellini Soup is a comforting Italian-American dish combining savory Italian sausage, tender cheese tortellini, and fresh vegetables simmered in a flavorful broth. This easy-to-make soup is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, offering a balanced blend of protein, vegetables, and pasta topped with Parmesan cheese for extra richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Liquids and Canned
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
Herbs and Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Pasta and Oils
- 1 package (9–12 oz) cheese tortellini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot for flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery to the pot. Sauté them for about 5 to 6 minutes until they have softened and become fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Herbs: Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Add Broth, Tomatoes, and Sausage: Pour in the chicken broth and add the drained diced tomatoes. Return the browned sausage to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Cook the Tortellini: Stir in the cheese tortellini and cook according to the package instructions until tender, usually about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add Spinach and Season: Stir in the chopped fresh spinach and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the spinach wilts. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to your taste.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty, flavorful soup.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute turkey or chicken sausage for Italian sausage.
- Frozen tortellini can be used instead of fresh; increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
- Leftover soup can be stored safely in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free tortellini.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the Parmesan cheese garnish.
