This Sausage Tortellini Soup is pure comfort food in a bowl! I love how the hearty sausage, tender tortellini, and flavorful broth come together to create a truly satisfying meal. It’s a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights, and it’s always a hit with my family. The secret is in the subtle spices – a touch of mustard powder and hot sauce that add depth and complexity without making it overly spicy. Trust me, you’re going to want to add this soup to your regular dinner rotation!
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe
- Hearty and Flavorful: Packed with Italian sausage, cheese-filled tortellini, and a rich, savory broth, this soup is incredibly satisfying.
- Quick and Easy: It’s ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal.
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in one pot, which means less cleanup for you!
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the spice level or add your favorite vegetables to make it your own.
Ingredients for Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Sausage Tortellini Soup. I’ve divided them up for clarity, but the full list with measurements is in the recipe card directly below.
Meat and Vegetables
- Ground Italian sausage (Meat)
- Yellow onion (Vegetable)
- Garlic (Aromatic)
- Kale (Vegetable)
Spices and Seasonings
- Dried basil (Herb)
- Oregano (Herb)
- Cayenne (Spice)
- Hot sauce (Condiment)
- Mustard powder (Spice)
- Pepper (Spice)
- Red pepper flakes (Spice)
- Salt (Seasoning)
Liquids and Dairy
- Flour (Thickener)
- Heavy cream (Dairy)
- Chicken broth (Liquid)
Pasta
- Tortellini (Pasta)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Variations
I love this soup just the way it is, but here are a few variations you might want to try:
- Use Different Sausage: Try using sweet Italian sausage or even chicken sausage for a lighter option.
- Add More Veggies: Toss in some diced carrots, celery, or zucchini along with the onions.
- Spinach Instead of Kale: Substitute spinach for the kale for a milder flavor.
- Make it Creamier: Add an extra splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese for an even richer soup.
How to Make Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe
Let me show you how easy it is to make this amazing Sausage Tortellini Soup!
Cook the Sausage and Onions
- First, if you purchased sausage links, remove the casings. Then, I cook and crumble the sausage and diced onions in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the onions are softened and the sausage is cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. I drain off any excess grease.
- Then, I add the garlic and cook for another minute until it’s fragrant.
Add the Flour and Spices
- I add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to remove that raw flour taste.
- Next, I add the basil, oregano, cayenne, hot sauce, mustard powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes. I stir everything to combine.
Add the Liquids and Simmer
- I pour in the chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot – that’s where all the flavor is!
- Then, I slowly stir in the heavy cream.
- I bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Add the Tortellini and Kale
- I add the kale and tortellini to the pot and simmer for 3-5 minutes. (If your tortellini needs a longer cooking time, add the tortellini first, then the kale during the last 5 minutes.)
Season and Serve
- I always taste the soup at this point and add salt if needed. I usually start with about ¼ teaspoon and add more from there.
- Finally, I ladle the soup into bowls and serve it hot!
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful when making this Sausage Tortellini Soup:
- Don’t Overcook the Tortellini: Cook the tortellini until it’s just tender to avoid it becoming mushy.
- Use a Good Quality Sausage: The flavor of the sausage will really shine through in this soup, so choose a good quality one that you enjoy.
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you’re sensitive to spice, start with just a pinch of cayenne and red pepper flakes and add more to taste.
How to Serve
This Sausage Tortellini Soup is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions:
- Garlic Bread: A slice of crusty garlic bread is perfect for dipping into the flavorful broth. (I highly recommend this!)
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette would make a great accompaniment.
- Parmesan Cheese: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top adds an extra layer of flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
This soup tastes even better the next day! You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this recipe:
- Can I use frozen tortellini?
- Yes, you can use frozen tortellini. Just add it directly to the soup and cook according to package directions.
- Can I make this soup ahead of time?
- Absolutely! You can make the soup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving.
- Can I freeze this soup?
- I don’t recommend freezing this soup, as the tortellini and kale may become mushy when thawed and reheated.
Enjoy this hearty and delicious Sausage Tortellini Soup! I hope you love it as much as I do.
Print
Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
A hearty and flavorful soup featuring Italian sausage, tortellini, and kale in a creamy, subtly spiced broth.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 2 cups refrigerated or frozen tortellini (just under 10 oz.)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- If using sausage links, remove the casings. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook and crumble the ground Italian sausage and diced onion over medium-high heat until the sausage is cooked through and the onions are softened, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the sausage and onion mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour taste.
- Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, hot sauce, mustard powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Pour in the chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot, loosening any browned bits.
- Slowly stir in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Add the chopped kale and tortellini to the simmering soup. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or according to the package directions for the tortellini. If your tortellini needs a longer cooking time, add the tortellini first and then the kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Taste the soup and add salt as needed. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and add more to your preference.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately.
Notes
- Subtle Spices: The mustard powder and hot sauce add a subtle depth of flavor that enhances the other ingredients. Don’t be afraid to add them even if you’re sensitive to spice!
- Tortellini Cooking Time: Adjust cooking time based on your tortellini package instructions.
- Serving Suggestion: This soup is delicious with a side of garlic bread, such as Garlic Bread with Cheese.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: sausage tortellini soup, Italian sausage, tortellini, kale, creamy soup, easy dinner, weeknight meal