Description
A comforting and flavorful soup with Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, and a creamy tomato-based broth.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1 (9 oz) package cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or kale)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
1. Cook the Sausage:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked (5-7 minutes). Break it into crumbles as it cooks.
- Drain excess grease if necessary and set sausage aside.
2. Sauté the Aromatics:
- In the same pot, add olive oil if needed, then sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Make the Soup Base:
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to let the flavors blend.
4. Add the Tortellini & Spinach:
- Stir in the cooked sausage and tortellini.
- Simmer for 5-7 minutes, until tortellini is tender.
- Stir in the heavy cream and spinach. Let cook for 2 more minutes, until spinach wilts.
5. Serve:
- Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or garlic toast. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter version.
- Swap spinach for kale or Swiss chard.
- Make it dairy-free by using coconut milk instead of cream.
- Add mushrooms or bell peppers for extra veggies.
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg