Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup is a rich and comforting one-pot meal made with savory Italian sausage, tender cheese-filled tortellini, tomatoes, fresh spinach, and Parmesan in a creamy seasoned broth. It’s an easy, hearty dinner that’s perfect whenever you’re craving a warm bowl of homemade soup.

Cook Time

Servings

Difficulty

30 Minutes

Easy

Prep Time

15 Minutes

Ingredients

▢ 1 pound Italian sausage
▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
▢ 1 small yellow onion, diced
▢ 3 teaspoons minced garlic
▢ 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
▢ 4 cups chicken broth
▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
▢ 1 package (20 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
▢ 1 cup heavy cream
▢ 3 cups fresh baby spinach
▢ 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
▢ Additional Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

Directions

Brown the Sausage

Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.

Sauté the Onion

Add the olive oil if the pot is dry. Stir in the diced onion and cook for 4–5 minutes, until softened.

Add the Garlic

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

Build the Soup

Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Simmer the Broth

Bring the soup to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Cook the Tortellini

Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to the package directions, usually 3–5 minutes, until tender.

Make It Creamy

Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, spinach, and Parmesan cheese.

Finish and Serve

Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring gently, until the spinach has wilted and the soup is hot. Do not let the soup boil after adding the cream. Taste, adjust the seasonings if needed, and serve with additional Parmesan cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use mild or spicy Italian sausage?

Yes. Mild sausage gives the soup a family-friendly flavor, while spicy sausage adds a little heat.

Can I use frozen tortellini?

Yes. Add it directly to the soup and cook according to the package directions. It may require a few additional minutes.

Can I substitute half-and-half for heavy cream?

Yes. Half-and-half will make the soup slightly lighter while still keeping it creamy.

Can I use kale instead of spinach?

Yes. Remove any tough stems, chop the kale, and add it a few minutes earlier because it takes longer to soften.

Why did my creamy broth separate?

The soup may have boiled after the cream was added. Keep the heat low and warm it gently to maintain a smooth, creamy broth.

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RECIPE TIPS

● Add the tortellini shortly before serving and cook it only until tender. Overcooking causes it to become too soft and soak up the creamy broth.

🥶 STORAGE

Refrigerator: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat or microwave individual servings. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the soup has thickened.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended because the tortellini can become mushy and the cream may separate. To prepare it for freezing, freeze the soup base without the tortellini, cream, spinach, or Parmesan, then add those ingredients after reheating.