Okay, so picture this: it’s a Tuesday night, you’re *starving*, and the thought of spending hours in the kitchen? Absolutely not. That’s where my creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup comes in! Seriously, this stuff is ready in like, 30 minutes flat. I’m a soup fanatic, especially when life gets hectic. There’s just something so comforting about a warm bowl after a long day, y’know? And this Sausage Tortellini Soup? Total game changer for busy weeknights at my house.
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Tortellini Soup
Quick and Easy Sausage Tortellini Soup
Seriously, who has time to spend *hours* cooking during the week? Not me! And that’s why I’m obsessed with this Sausage Tortellini Soup. It’s ready in, like, a blink. Perfect for those crazy weeknights when you just need something fast and yummy. Cleanup is a breeze, too! One pot – that’s it!
A Flavorful Sausage Tortellini Soup the Whole Family Will Enjoy
Okay, picky eaters, listen up! This Sausage Tortellini Soup is a winner. The sausage adds a savory kick, the creamy broth is super comforting, and the tortellini? Well, who doesn’t love tortellini? Even my kids, who are usually suspicious of anything green, gobble this stuff up. I swear, it’s magic!
Customizable Sausage Tortellini Soup
The best part? You can totally make this Sausage Tortellini Soup your own. Want to add more veggies? Go for it! Not a fan of spicy food? Just skip the cayenne. Need a dairy-free option? Easy peasy – use coconut milk instead of heavy cream. Seriously, this recipe is so flexible, it’s practically begging you to experiment!
Ingredients for Sausage Tortellini Soup
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Nothing too crazy here, promise! Just good, simple stuff that comes together to make the most amazing Sausage Tortellini Soup. Trust me; you probably have most of this already!
Sausage
Gotta have sausage! I usually go for a pound of ground Italian sausage. Hot or mild? Totally up to you! I like a little kick, so I go with hot. Oh, and don’t forget to remove the casings. Nobody wants to bite into that!
Onion and Garlic
The dynamic duo! You’ll need one small yellow onion, diced. And three cloves of garlic, minced. Don’t skimp on the garlic – it adds so much flavor!
Flour
Just plain old all-purpose flour here. Three tablespoons will do the trick. This helps thicken up the soup a bit and make it extra creamy.
Spices and Seasonings
Okay, here’s where the magic happens! Grab a teaspoon of dried basil, half a teaspoon of oregano, a pinch of cayenne (if you’re feeling brave!), a teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce, half a teaspoon of mustard powder, a quarter teaspoon of pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Whew! Sounds like a lot, but trust me, it’s worth it!
Liquids
You’ll need one cup of heavy cream for that ultimate creaminess. And five cups of chicken broth – low sodium is always a good idea so you can control the saltiness.
Kale
Two cups of chopped kale. Don’t worry if it seems like a lot – it wilts down as it cooks. And hey, it’s good for you!
Tortellini
Last but not least, two cups of cheese-filled tortellini. You can use refrigerated or frozen – whatever you have on hand! Just make sure it’s around 10 ounces total.
How to Prepare Sausage Tortellini Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, ready to get cooking? This Sausage Tortellini Soup is so easy, I promise you can’t mess it up! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious, comforting bowl of soup in no time.
Cooking the Sausage
First things first, grab a big ol’ pot and crank the heat to medium-high. Toss in your ground Italian sausage (remember, casings off!), along with that diced onion. Cook it all up for about 8-10 minutes, using a spoon to break up the sausage as it cooks. You want it nice and crumbly. Don’t forget to drain off any extra grease – nobody wants a greasy soup! Then, toss in your minced garlic and cook for just a minute until fragrant. Mmm, that’s the good stuff!
Creating the Base of the Sausage Tortellini Soup
Now, sprinkle in those three tablespoons of flour. Cook it for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. This helps get rid of that raw flour taste, and it thickens up the soup beautifully. Next, add all those yummy spices: basil, oregano, cayenne (if you’re using it!), hot sauce, mustard powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Give it all a good stir to coat the sausage and onions.
Adding Liquids and Simmering the Sausage Tortellini Soup
Time for the broth! Pour in those five cups of chicken broth, and make sure you scrape the bottom of the pot to get up all those flavorful bits. Slowly stir in the heavy cream. Bring the whole shebang to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for a bit.
Finishing the Sausage Tortellini Soup
Now for the grand finale! Add your chopped kale and tortellini. If you’re using frozen tortellini, you might want to add it a few minutes before the kale, just to make sure it cooks through. Simmer for about 3-5 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and the kale is wilted. Voila!
Season and Serve Your Sausage Tortellini Soup
Give it a taste and add salt if needed. I usually start with about a quarter teaspoon and go from there. And that’s it! Your Sausage Tortellini Soup is ready to devour. Ladle it into bowls and serve it up! You can add a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Sausage Tortellini Soup
Want to take your Sausage Tortellini Soup from good to *amazing*? Of course, you do! Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way that’ll make all the difference. These are the little things that really make this soup sing!
Choosing the Right Sausage for Your Sausage Tortellini Soup
Okay, this is important: hot or mild Italian sausage? It really depends on your spice preference! If you like a little kick, go for the hot. But if you’re feeding kids (or you’re just not a fan of spice), mild is the way to go. Honestly, both are delicious in this Sausage Tortellini Soup! I usually use mild so the kids don’t complain!
Don’t Overcook the Tortellini in the Sausage Tortellini Soup
Trust me on this one: nobody likes mushy tortellini! Add the tortellini during the last few minutes of cooking, and keep a close eye on it. You want it to be tender but still have a little bit of bite. Overcooked tortellini is just sad, soggy little dumplings. We’re going for perfectly plump and delicious here!
Adding Cheese for Extra Flavor in Your Sausage Tortellini Soup
Want to take this Sausage Tortellini Soup to the next level? Throw in a Parmesan or Romano cheese rind when you add the broth! It adds a subtle, salty, cheesy flavor that’s just divine. Remember to fish it out before serving, though! It’s like a little flavor bomb that infuses the whole soup. My favorite part is digging around for it!
Sausage Tortellini Soup Variations
Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic Sausage Tortellini Soup. Now what? Let’s get a little crazy and mix things up! This recipe is seriously begging for you to put your own spin on it. Here are a few ideas to get you started – but don’t be afraid to get creative!
Spicy Sausage Tortellini Soup
Feeling fiery? Crank up the heat! Add an extra pinch of cayenne pepper or a generous splash of your favorite hot sauce. I’m talking *Texas Pete* or *Frank’s RedHot*, nothing wimpy! You could even use a hotter Italian sausage for an extra kick. Just be careful – it’s easy to overdo it!
Vegetarian Sausage Tortellini Soup
Don’t eat meat? No problem! Just swap out the sausage for plant-based sausage. There are tons of great options out there these days. Just make sure you brown it up nicely before adding the other ingredients. You won’t even miss the real thing, I swear!
Sausage Tortellini Soup with Spinach
Not a kale fan? That’s totally fine. Just swap it out for spinach! Two to three cups of fresh spinach will do the trick. Stir it in right at the end, after the tortellini is cooked, and let it wilt for about 30 seconds. Easy peasy!
Serving Suggestions for Sausage Tortellini Soup
Okay, so you’ve got a big pot of Sausage Tortellini Soup bubbling away. Now what? Well, you could just eat it straight from the pot with a spoon (no judgment here!), but if you want to make it a *real* meal, here are a few of my favorite things to serve alongside it. Trust me, these will take your soup game to the next level!
Bread
Gotta have bread! Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up all that delicious broth. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, whip up some garlic bread. Wowza! That’s a combo that’s hard to beat.
Salad
A simple side salad is a great way to add a little freshness to the meal. Just some mixed greens, a few veggies, and a light vinaigrette. Nothing too complicated – you don’t want to overshadow the star of the show, which is, of course, the Sausage Tortellini Soup!
Storage & Reheating Instructions for Your Sausage Tortellini Soup
Made too much Sausage Tortellini Soup? Lucky you! Leftovers are the best! Here’s how to keep it fresh and reheat it like a pro. Because seriously, nobody wants sad, dried-out soup.
Storing Leftover Sausage Tortellini Soup
Okay, cool your soup down a bit, then stash it in an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to three days. Wanna freeze it? Go for it! It’ll last for three months or even longer. Just be warned: the tortellini might get a little softer after freezing and thawing. FYI: Tortellini is known to soak up the broth so keep that in mind!
Reheating Sausage Tortellini Soup
Stovetop or microwave – your call! Stovetop’s my fave: just heat it over medium heat, stirring every so often, until it’s nice and bubbly. Microwave? Totally works too! Just nuke it for a few minutes, stirring halfway through. Careful, it splatters!
Frequently Asked Questions About Sausage Tortellini Soup
Got questions about my Sausage Tortellini Soup? Of course, you do! Here are a few of the most common things people ask me. Don’t be shy – if you have more questions, just leave a comment below!
Can I use frozen tortellini in Sausage Tortellini Soup?
Absolutely! Frozen tortellini works great in this recipe. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to make sure it’s cooked through, but otherwise, it’s a perfect substitute for refrigerated tortellini. I always have a bag of frozen tortellini on hand for soup emergencies!
Can I make Sausage Tortellini Soup ahead of time?
Yep! You can definitely make this Sausage Tortellini Soup ahead of time. The flavors actually meld together even more as it sits, so it’s often even *better* the next day. Just keep in mind that the tortellini will continue to absorb broth as it sits, so you might need to add a little extra broth when you reheat it.
Is Sausage Tortellini Soup healthy?
Well, it’s definitely comforting! But let’s be real, it’s not exactly a health food. However, you *can* make it healthier! Use lean sausage, load it up with extra veggies like spinach or carrots, and use low-sodium broth. You can even swap the heavy cream for a lighter option like half-and-half or even almond milk. Every little bit helps!
Nutritional Information for Sausage Tortellini Soup
Okay, let’s talk numbers…but with a HUGE grain of salt, okay? I’m not a nutritionist, and all those fancy nutrition labels? They’re just estimates! The nutritional info for this Sausage Tortellini Soup can vary a ton depending on the brands you use, the type of sausage, even how big your servings are! So, please, don’t take these as gospel. Just a general idea!
Enjoy Your Delicious Sausage Tortellini Soup!
Alright, my friend, that’s it! I hope you give this Sausage Tortellini Soup a try. It’s seriously one of my faves, and I just know you’re gonna love it. If you do make it, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think! And hey, don’t forget to rate the recipe and share it with your friends on social media!
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Incredible Sausage Tortellini Soup in Just 30 Minutes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 cups 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup ready in 30 minutes. This recipe combines sausage, kale, simple seasonings, broth, and cream for an easy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage, hot or mild
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 pinch cayenne, optional
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 2 cups tortellini, just under 10 oz. (refrigerated or frozen)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Remove sausage casings if needed. Cook and crumble sausage and onions over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. Drain grease. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add basil, oregano, cayenne, hot sauce, mustard powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Add chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot. Slowly stir in heavy cream. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Add kale and tortellini and simmer for 3-5 minutes. If tortellini needs longer cooking time, add it first, then kale during the last 5 minutes.
- Taste and add salt if needed. Start with 1/4 tsp.
- Transfer to bowls and serve.
Notes
- RANA refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini works well. Consider Texas Pete or Frank’s Hot Sauce.
- For more flavor, add a Parmesan or Romano cheese rind when you add the broth. Discard any remains after cooking.
- Spinach (2-3 cups) can replace kale. Stir it in after the tortellini is cooked and let it wilt for about 30 seconds.
- Crock Pot Method: Brown sausage/onions, add flour. Transfer all except cream, tortellini, and spinach to slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-7. Stir in kale toward the end. Turn heat off. Temper cream and stir it in. Add cooked tortellini to serving bowls and ladle soup on top.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for 3+ months.
- Tortellini will continue to absorb broth during storage. Consider boiling tortellini separately and adding it directly to serving bowls for leftovers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 314kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 836mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 73mg