Sausage tortellini soup is pure comfort food. Few things in life are as delicious as cheese-stuffed tortellini, the star of the show in this soup. When paired with Italian sausage, fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese, there’s no denying how robust the flavors are. Crucially when it comes to weeknight cooking, this recipe takes less than 30 minutes to execute, which means you can have a delicious, truly satisfying dinner on the table and still have time to spare in the evening.
Ingredients for Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Italian sausage: Sub for vegan chorizo or another type of vegan sausage if you follow a plant-based diet.
- Onion: Let the onions get tender and translucent before adding the garlic and other ingredients. This will add depth and flavor to your soup.
- Garlic: Take the time to mince your garlic (and add more as desired). Mincing allows for a more even distribution of flavor.
- Reduced-sodium chicken broth: Be sure to use reduced-sodium broth, as this will help you control the amount of salt.
- Fresh spinach: Any fresh green will work if you don’t have spinach on hand.
- Refrigerated cheese tortellini: The savory flavors from the cheese and pasta are what really make this soup hearty and delicious.
- Parmesan cheese: Note that you can add the rind from your hunk of Parmesan to the soup while it cooks. This will add a salty, complex flavor and thicken the broth.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): While optional, crushed red pepper flakes add a nice heat. Just make sure you go easy at first and increase as needed.
Directions
Step 1: Cook sausage
In a small saucepan, cook the sausage over medium heat until no longer pink and drain it.
Step 2: Add onion and garlic
Add the onion to the pan and cook until tender (don’t rush this step). Add the garlic and cook for one minute longer.
Step 3: Stir in broth and water
Stir in the broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Add spinach and tortellini
Return the soup to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and add the spinach and tortellini. Cook until the tortellini is tender (about seven to nine minutes). Sprinkle with cheese and top with crushed red pepper flakes before serving.
Sausage Tortellini Variations
- Add fresh herbs: Adding some finely chopped fresh basil to your onion and garlic will ramp up the flavor profile.
- Finish with lemon: Squeezing some fresh lemon juice on your soup at the end of the cooking process will brighten the flavors.
How to Store Sausage Tortellini
First, let the soup cool to room temperature. Then, either transfer it to an airtight container with a lid or keep it in the pot you cooked it in with a lid before putting it in the fridge.
How long does sausage tortellini last?
This soup will generally last around four to five days if stored properly.
Sausage Tortellini Tips
What should I serve with sausage tortellini soup?
This soup is substantial on its own, but it’s always nice to pair it with a loaf of crusty bread.
Can I double the recipe for sausage tortellini soup?
Yes! This soup is wonderful for sharing (or eating throughout the week). Simply double the recipe if you want to have extra servings.
What type of pot should I use to cook my sausage tortellini soup?
Any heavy pot will work well for this soup, although if you have a Dutch oven, you should use it. Dutch ovens are ideally suited for cooking soups because they retain and evenly distribute heat. And if you plan on doubling this recipe, Dutch ovens are great because they’re deep enough to hold a large quantity of liquid.
