Sausage tortellini soup is a comfort food in a bowl! It’s loaded with fresh veggies, hearty Italian chicken sausage, tortellini, and in a rich tomato broth. A quick and cozy dinner you’ll love.
When cold weather is upon us, comfort food calls my name and this sausage tortellini soup is a must in my house!
Made on the stovetop in about 20 minutes this soup has a hint of spice from the Italian sausage (chicken sausage is fine here), a hearty texture from tender bits of cheese-filled tortellini, and a dose of vitamins and nutrients from the kale and veggies (you can use spinach instead if that’s more your speed.)
Swaps and Substitutions
Don’t worry if you don’t have all the ingredients needed to make this soup! There are so many easy ways you can mix it up and use what you have on hand. Some of my favorite variations include:
Replacing the kale: If you don’t have kale or simply don’t like the taste, replace it with spinach instead. Kale is generally a bit sturdier than spinach and takes longer to wilt down. However, spinach tastes great and has ample health benefits making it a great option as well.
Add mushrooms: For extra nutrients and plant-based protein, slice up mushrooms into bite-sized pieces and sautee them along with the other vegetables.
Vegetarian option: To keep this recipe vegetarian, replace the sausage with a vegetarian meat alternative. Or, leave it out completely!
Gluten-free: If you can’t consume gluten, look for gluten-free tortellini, and leave out the flour. Or, swap it out with a 1:1 gluten-free alternative instead.
What to Serve with Sausage Tortellini Soup
Made with fresh vegetables, protein, and carbs, this tortellini soup is plenty filling on its own. However, if you’re feeding a crowd or just want to go all out for a complete dinner spread, you can never go wrong with a side dish or two.
Homemade Ciabatta Garlic Bread or Rosemary Focaccia With Roasted Garlic for dipping. While your bread is baking and your soup BREAD ou can easily toss a healthy salad together with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Make Ahead Tips:
If you are not planning to serve this soup immediately but want to work ahead prepare the ingredients right up until adding the pasta. Then, when you’re ready to serve, heat the soup back up, boil the pasta, and add the rest of the ingredients. Your soup will be ready in minutes!
A comforting soup, loaded with fresh veggies, hearty Italian chicken sausage and tortellini in a rich tomato broth. Ready in 20 minutes or so , this is the perfect meal for those busy nights!
PREP TIME: 5 MINS
COOK TIME: 20 MINS
SERVES – 6 PEOPLE
INGREDIENTS:
▢2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
▢1 yellow onion, chopped
▢2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
▢3 garlic cloves, chopped
▢1 pound Italian chicken sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
▢1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
▢4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
▢2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
▢9 ounces cheese tortellini
▢3 cups packed fresh baby kale leaves or chopped kale, thick stems removed
▢1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
▢½ cup whole milk at room temperature
▢Grated Parmesan cheese, to taste (optional)
▢Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
◾Heat the oil and saute the vegetables: In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the carrots have softened and the onions and garlic are fragrant.
◾Cook the sausage: Add in the Italian sausage and cook, stirring often for about 5 minutes or until the sausage is cooked. Carefully drain excess fat, particularly if you used pork sausage.
◾Add the liquids and seasonings: Add the tomato sauce, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. Raise the heat and allow the liquid to come to a boil.
◾Add the pasta and finish the soup: Add the tortellini pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 3 to5 minutes), then stir in the kale leaves. Turn the heat off. Add the flour to the milk and whisk well then slowly stir the mixture into the soup.
◾Serve: Ladle the soup into serving bowls and finish with grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes to your liking. Serve immediately.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Tortellini soup is best served immediately while it is still warm. However, if you do have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just keep in mind that the tortellini may become a bit soggy as it will continue to absorb the liquid.
To freeze sausage tortellini soup: prepare the ingredients up until adding the tortellini. Once cooled, transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container, and keep it frozen for up to 3 months.
To reheat the soup: Let it thaw in the fridge overnight, warm it back up on the stove, and follow the instructions as listed starting with boiling the pasta.
NUTRITIONAL INFO:
Calories:399.9kcalCarbohydrates:35.8gProtein:21.8gFat:20.4gSaturatedFat:4.6gPolyunsaturatedFat:0.9gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.6gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 1334.7mgPotassium: 465.2mgFiber: 6gSugar: 8.3gVitamin A: 7362.1IUVitamin C: 40.3mgCalcium: 204.7mgIron: 3.4mg