Description
Hearty sausage soup offers a comforting blend of robust flavors and tender ingredients that dance harmoniously on your palate. Warm spices and rich broth create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb / 454 grams) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Liquids, Dairy, and Seasonings:
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 9 ounces (9 oz / 255 grams) cheese tortellini (refrigerated or frozen)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed for sauteing)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Brown the sausage in a large pot over medium heat until fully cooked, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Using the same pot, sauté onions until translucent, then quickly introduce minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Deglaze the pot with chicken broth, incorporating Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to develop a rich flavor base.
- Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer and carefully add tortellini, cooking for 5-7 minutes until pasta reaches al dente consistency.
- Lower the heat and gently fold in heavy cream, creating a silky and luxurious texture.
- Introduce fresh spinach leaves to the hot soup, allowing them to wilt naturally and release their vibrant green color.
- Reintegrate the cooked sausage into the soup, stirring to distribute evenly and reheat the meat.
- Perform a final taste assessment, adjusting seasonings as necessary. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving piping hot.
Notes
- Customize meat selection by swapping pork sausage with chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives for diverse dietary needs.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium chicken broth and reducing added salt, perfect for heart-healthy diets.
- Enhance vegetable content by adding extra leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard for increased nutritional value.
- Achieve creamy texture without heavy cream by substituting with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for lighter versions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg