Tortellini Soup with Sausage

Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

This creamy Italian sausage tortellini soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make. With tender cheese-filled pasta, savory sausage, and nutritious spinach all simmered in a creamy broth, this dish is perfect for cozy nights or casual entertaining. Let’s break it down step by step and learn a few tricks to elevate your cooking.

List of Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
1 small onion, finely diced

3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, including the liquid

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste

3 cups cheese-filled tortellini
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

Preparation Instructions

Cooking the Sausage
Begin by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the Italian sausage. Cook it thoroughly, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. The sausage should be browned and fully cooked. If there’s excess grease, drain it to keep the soup balanced and not overly oily.

Sautéing the Aromatics
Next, add the diced onion to the pot. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute. The garlic should be fragrant but not burned, as this forms the flavorful base of your soup.

Simmering the Broth
Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes with their liquid. Stir well to combine. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Adding Cream and Seasoning
Once the broth has simmered, stir in the heavy cream. This adds a rich, velvety texture to the soup. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep the heat low to prevent the cream from curdling.

Cooking the Tortellini
Gently add the cheese-filled tortellini to the pot. Cook them according to the package instructions, usually around 7–9 minutes, until they are tender. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent the tortellini from sticking together.

Incorporating the Spinach
Once the tortellini are cooked, add the chopped spinach. Stir it into the soup until it wilts, which should take about 2–3 minutes. Spinach adds a vibrant color and a nutritious boost to the dish.