Description
This comforting Sausage Tortellini Soup combines spicy Italian sausage, tender kale, and cheesy tortellini in a creamy, flavorful broth. With a perfect blend of herbs and subtle heat from hot sauce and red pepper flakes, this hearty soup is easy to make in about 30 minutes and serves as a satisfying meal for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups kale, chopped
Dry Ingredients and Spices
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
Liquids and Pasta
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups tortellini (just under 10 oz., refrigerated or frozen)
Instructions
- Prepare the sausage and onions: Remove casings from the sausage if using links. Cook and crumble the sausage along with diced onions over medium-high heat until the onions soften and the sausage is fully cooked, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain excess grease. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Add flour: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked sausage mixture and stir well. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste and help thicken the soup.
- Incorporate spices and seasonings: Add dried basil, oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), hot sauce, mustard powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Add liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to scrape and clean the bottom of the pot, preventing any stuck bits. Slowly stir in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer gently.
- Add kale and tortellini: Stir in the chopped kale and tortellini. Simmer the soup for 3-5 minutes until the kale wilts and the tortellini are cooked through. If your tortellini requires longer cooking time, add it first, then add the kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Season to taste: Taste the soup and add salt gradually, starting with ¼ teaspoon and adjusting as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into serving bowls. This soup pairs wonderfully with garlic bread topped with cheese for a complete meal.
Notes
- The mustard powder and hot sauce add subtle depth and enhance the overall flavor; don’t skip them even if hesitant.
- Use refrigerated or frozen tortellini according to your preference; adjust cooking time if needed.
- For a spicier kick, increase cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to taste.
- Drain sausage grease well to avoid a greasy soup.
- Pairs excellently with garlic bread with cheese for a cozy, satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
