Description
Hearty sausage tortellini soup brings comfort with its rich Italian-inspired flavors and robust ingredients. Warm bowls of this delightful recipe promise satisfying comfort that connects family and friends around a steaming, nourishing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, or breakfast sausage)
- 10 ounces (280 grams) fresh tortellini (or thawed frozen tortellini)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 24 cups baby spinach
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 quart (946 milliliters) chicken stock (or chicken broth)
- 14 ounces (396 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream)
- Freshly grated parmesan (optional, for topping)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for topping)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high heat, introducing ground sausage, finely chopped onions, and aromatic garlic powder. Continuously stir and cook until the meat transforms into a rich, golden-brown hue, eliminating any excess fat.
- Cascade chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, and concentrated tomato paste into the pot. Integrate ingredients thoroughly, allowing the mixture to reach a gentle bubbling state. Reduce thermal intensity, seal with a lid, and let the flavors meld during a 15-minute simmering dance.
- Gently introduce cheese-filled tortellini, velvety heavy cream, delicate baby spinach, and a whisper of salt. Allow the components to intermingle, cooking for 3-5 minutes until pasta achieves tender perfection and spinach surrenders its vibrant green essence.
- Elevate the soup’s final presentation by nestling it in serving bowls, crowning with a delicate snowfall of freshly grated parmesan, a sprinkle of fiery red pepper flakes, and a nuanced seasoning of salt and pepper to harmonize the robust flavors.
Notes
- Customize the protein by swapping ground sausage with turkey sausage or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
- Balance the richness of heavy cream by using half-and-half or milk alternatives like unsweetened almond or oat milk for a lighter texture.
- Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like diced carrots or zucchini during the simmering stage for more depth and nutrients.
- Enhance flavor complexity by incorporating fresh herbs like basil or oregano, or adding a splash of white wine during the sausage browning process for a more sophisticated taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 80mg