Let’s Discuss This Sausage Tortellini Soup

Before We Get Into the Cooking Process, Let’s Gather Our Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 pound sausage (ground – mild or spicy)
• 1 yellow onion (chopped)
• 3 teaspoons minced garlic (or 3 cloves of garlic chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 15 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
• 16-20 ounces of fresh cheese tortellini
• 5 cups chicken broth (if using low-sodium, add 1/2 tsp sea salt)
• 4 cups fresh spinach (or kale if you prefer)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Grated parmesan and chopped fresh basil for topping.

How to Make This Flavorful Tortellini Soup:

1. Brown the Sausage: In a large pot or dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat. Break it into small pieces with a spoon as it cooks until it’s no longer pink. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Don’t forget to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté everything together for another 3-5 minutes until the onions turn translucent.
3. Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes and the chicken broth. If you like a thicker soup, you can add some tomato paste too. Season the mixture with pepper and Italian seasoning. Give it a good stir. Let the soup simmer for 15 ish minutes.
4. Add Tortellini: Add the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions. Typically, this takes around 7-10 minutes.
5. Add Greens: Toss in the chopped spinach or kale. These greens will add a burst of freshness and vibrant color to the soup. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they wilt.

1. Creaminess: This is the best part! After the tortellini has cooked through and the greens have wilted, pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and stir gently. The cream will infuse richness into the broth and make the soup velvety smooth.
2. Serve and Garnish: Ladle your finished soup into bowls, and if you’re feeling extra fancy, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top for a cheesy finish.

Things to Remember When Making Sausage Tortellini Soup

• Choose Quality Sausage: The key to a flavorful soup is using high-quality Italian sausage. You can go for mild or spicy, depending on your preference, but make sure it’s fresh and well-seasoned.
• Use Fresh Tortellini: If you can find fresh tortellini at your local store, go for it. They cook up faster and have a wonderful texture. If not, a frozen tortellini will do just fine.
• Store It Right: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. This soup actually gets better with time as the flavors meld together. It can stay fresh for up to 3-4 days, but the tortellini will continue to absorb the liquid, so it will have a different texture after being refrigerated.
• Reheat with Care: When reheating, do it on low heat to avoid overcooking the tortellini. You can also add a little extra broth to loosen up the soup’s consistency.

So there you have it my friends, a hearty sausage tortellini soup that’s easy to make, full of flavors and textures, and perfect for those busy times you crave a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll want to make it a regular addition to your dinner rotation like we did. Winner, winner…um…sausage dinner?!