Hearty Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
On a chilly evening, there's nothing quite as comforting as a warm bowl of Hearty Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup. Inspired by a recent feature from Taste of Home Healthy Cooking, this soul-soothing soup combines the robust flavors of Italian sausage with tender cheese tortellini, fresh baby spinach, and a rich tomato broth. Perfectly seasoned with aromatic garlic and basil, this dish is both filling and nutritious. It’s a delightful meal that pairs wonderfully with crusty Italian bread, making it an ideal choice for rainy days or cozy family dinners.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Italian turkey sausage
3 links (4 ounces each) (casings removed and crumbled)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Garlic
6 cloves (minced)
Low sodium chicken broth
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) (opened)
Water
1 3/4 cups (measured)
Diced tomatoes
1 can (14.5 ounces) (undrained)
Refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 package (9 ounces) (opened)
Fresh baby spinach
6 ounces (coarsely chopped)
Fresh basil
2 1/4 teaspoons (minced, or 3/4 teaspoon dried)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Crushed red pepper flakes
1 dash (to taste)
Shredded Parmesan cheese
optional (for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, crumble the Italian turkey sausage and add the chopped onion.
2
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
4
Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, water, and undrained diced tomatoes. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil.
5
Once boiling, stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini and return to a boil.
6
Lower the heat to simmer, uncovered, for 5-8 minutes or until the tortellini are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
7
Add the coarsely chopped baby spinach, minced fresh basil (or dried basil), black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and vibrant.
8
Ladle the soup into bowls and, if desired, garnish with shredded Parmesan cheese before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup?
It is a soul-soothing, comforting soup combining Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, baby spinach, and a rich tomato broth seasoned with garlic and basil.
What kind of sausage is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 links (4 ounces each) of Italian turkey sausage with the casings removed.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
You will need 6 cloves of garlic, minced, to provide a robust aromatic flavor.
What type of tortellini should I buy?
The recipe recommends one 9-ounce package of refrigerated cheese tortellini.
Do I need to drain the diced tomatoes?
No, you should use one 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes undrained to add more flavor to the broth.
What kind of broth is best for this soup?
Two 14.5-ounce cans of low-sodium chicken broth are used for the base.
How do I prepare the spinach?
You should use 6 ounces of fresh baby spinach and coarsely chop it before adding it to the pot.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use 3/4 teaspoon of dried basil as a substitute for 2 1/4 teaspoons of minced fresh basil.
What is the first step in cooking the soup?
Crumble the Italian turkey sausage into a large Dutch oven and add the chopped onion.
How long does it take to brown the sausage?
The sausage and onion should be cooked over medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes until the sausage is no longer pink.
When do I add the minced garlic?
Add the garlic after the sausage is browned and sauté it for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
What liquids are added to the pot?
You add the chicken broth, water, and the undrained diced tomatoes.
How long do the tortellini need to simmer?
Once the mixture is boiling and the tortellini are added, simmer uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes or until tender.
When do I add the spices and spinach?
Add the spinach, basil, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes after the tortellini are tender.
How long does the spinach take to cook?
The spinach only needs to cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it is wilted and vibrant.
What is the recommended garnish?
The soup is best served with a garnish of shredded Parmesan cheese.
What should I serve as a side dish?
Crusty Italian bread is an ideal pairing for this hearty soup.
Is this soup spicy?
It has a mild kick from the crushed red pepper flakes, but you can adjust the amount to your taste.
How much water is added to the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 3/4 cups of water.
What size onion is required?
One medium onion, chopped, is used for the base flavor.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
While the recipe calls for fresh baby spinach, frozen could be used if thawed and squeezed dry, though fresh is preferred for texture.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is tagged as a 'quick meal' and '30 minutes or less' recipe.
What equipment do I need?
A large Dutch oven is the primary piece of equipment needed for this one-pot meal.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients including the optional Parmesan cheese garnish.
What inspired this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a feature from Taste of Home Healthy Cooking.
Is this a family-friendly dinner?
Yes, it is tagged as a family dinner and is a filling, nutritious meal for all ages.
Can I use regular pork sausage instead of turkey?
Yes, you can substitute Italian pork sausage for the turkey sausage if preferred.
How much black pepper is used?
The recipe suggests 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, or more to taste.
How do I prevent the tortellini from sticking?
Stir the soup occasionally while the tortellini are simmering to ensure they do not stick to the bottom.
Can I use frozen tortellini?
The recipe specifies refrigerated tortellini, but frozen can be used; you may just need to add a few extra minutes to the simmer time.