Description
Ang’s Creamy Tortellini Soup is a rich and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring savory mild Italian sausage, tender vegetables, creamy broth, and cheesy tortellini. Perfect for a cozy meal, this hearty soup is infused with Italian seasonings, a touch of white wine, and finished with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese for a flavorful experience.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb. ground mild Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 teaspoon kosher sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed or chopped
- 1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 6-7 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups half and half or heavy cream
Pasta and Greens
- 14 oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 handful chopped fresh spinach
For Serving
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the sausage and vegetables: In a large stockpot set over medium-high heat, cook the ground mild Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces as it browns. When the sausage is mostly browned, add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté the mixture for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables become soft.
- Add garlic, spices, and tomato paste: Stir in the minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and tomato paste. Continue to sauté the mixture for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant, making sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Deglaze and thicken the soup base: Pour in the dry white wine and allow it to cook off for a few minutes. Then stir in the all-purpose flour, mixing it with the sausage and vegetables. It will become sticky and dry. Gradually add the chicken broth while stirring to combine everything smoothly. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes to develop flavor.
- Add cream, tortellini, and spinach: Stir in the half and half or heavy cream and bring back to a low simmer. Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini and chopped fresh spinach. Cook just until the tortellini are al dente according to package instructions, ensuring the spinach wilts slightly.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately, ideally with cheese bread for dipping to complete this hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- To make the soup vegetarian, substitute the sausage with plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- You can swap half and half for heavy cream for a richer texture or use a lighter cream for fewer calories.
- Adjust the amount of tortellini based on your preference for pasta versus broth ratio.
- For extra flavor depth, simmer the soup longer before adding cream.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or oregano as a garnish for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
