This hearty Italian sausage soup with tortellini is the perfect comfort food option for lunch or dinner. The recipe combines spicy or sweet Italian sausage, rich chicken broth, melted cheese, an assortment of vegetables, and a blend of spices, all simmered to perfection. While it does require some time and effort, the end result is well worth the wait. As the soup cooks, your kitchen will be filled with an incredible aroma that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. The best part? A warm, satisfying bowl of goodness awaits you at the finish line.
Why You’ll Love It
While it may take some time to cook, crafting this sausage tortellini soup is surprisingly effortless. The process mainly consists of preparing the ingredients and adding them to the pot in sequence. As you savor each spoonful, you’ll be delighted by the harmonious blend of flavors that emerges. This soup’s impressive flavor profile stems from its thoughtful combination of fresh vegetables, rich chicken broth, juicy tomatoes, and other wholesome elements. Not only will your taste buds rejoice, but so will your conscience, as this nutritious choice is both satisfying and guilt-free.
How to Make Sausage Tortellini Soup
To bring this hearty soup to life, start by caramelizing the onions in a large pot over medium heat. Melt butter and add sliced onions, allowing them to cook until they’re beautifully browned. As you stir occasionally, add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. Next, splash in some apple cider vinegar and scrape up any stuck-on bits of onion – this step is crucial for adding depth to your soup. Once the onions are done, it’s time to cook the sausage. Brown the sausage in the same pan, then add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook for a few minutes to allow these flavors to meld together. After that, it’s time to add the broth and veggies. Pour in the chicken broth and add sliced carrots, allowing them to cook until they’re tender. Then, bring in the star of the show: cheese tortellini. Simmer the pasta until it’s done, then stir in diced tomatoes and tomato paste for an added burst of flavor. Finally, finish off the soup by stirring in fresh spinach and kale. Cover the pot to allow the greens to wilt, and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the sausage tortellini soup hot, garnished with parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil.
Substitutions and Variations
Tortellini soup is an incredibly versatile dish that lends itself to customization. Feel free to experiment with different Italian sausages – sweet, mild or hot – to suit your taste preferences. Alternatively, swap out the traditional Italian seasoning for dried herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, or sage to add a distinct flavor profile. The choice is yours when it comes to incorporating leafy greens into your soup, as you can opt to omit either spinach or kale altogether or substitute with other options like peas, green beans, bell peppers, celery, or even white beans.
How to Serve Sausage and Tortellini Soup
Indulge in the hearty goodness of Italian tortellini soup by pairing it with a crusty loaf of bread and/or a refreshing side salad. For more culinary delights reminiscent of this one, consider exploring recipes for minestrone soup or Italian lentil soup, which share similar flavors and textures.
How to Store Tortellini Soup
When storing leftovers from this recipe, it’s essential to keep them distinct from the soup itself, as this will prevent the tortellini from becoming soggy. As for the soup and its accompanying tortellini, they can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheating is a straightforward process: simply combine the tortellini with the warmed soup using either a pan on the stove or the microwave. For those looking to preserve their soup for future meals, freezing is also an option. Here, it’s recommended to separate the pasta from the soup before freezing and then allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Easy Tortellini Soup FAQs
For those looking for a vegetarian version of sausage and tortellini soup, the good news is that it’s easy to make plant-based substitutions. Simply swap the hot Italian sausage with your favorite alternative, such as a vegetarian sausage patty or mushrooms, and replace chicken broth with vegetable broth. Additionally, butter can be replaced with olive oil. The key to caramelizing onions effectively is to use a pot that allows them to stick to it during this process, so avoid using non-stick cookware for this step. Once the onions are nicely caramelized, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar and scrape them up with a wooden spoon. When it comes to selecting tortellini for your soup, either fresh or dried will work well, or you can opt for frozen tortellini, adjusting the cooking time accordingly. Feel free to get creative with your choice of tortellini, as spinach and cheese, plain cheese, or any other variety you prefer can be used.
Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe
Sausage Tortellini Soup
Bella Bucchiotti’s Sausage Tortellini Soup is a mouthwatering meal option that can be enjoyed for both lunch and dinner. The versatility of this recipe lies in its ability to be made with either spicy or sweet Italian sausage, allowing you to tailor the dish to your taste preferences.
Instructions
To begin caramelizing the onions, place one of the cut onion halves flat on a cutting board. Slice it into ¼-inch thick strips from root to stem, working your way across the onion. Repeat this process with the second onion half. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter, taking care not to use non-stick surfaces. Add the sliced onions to the pot and stir occasionally as they cook for about 15-20 minutes. As the onions start to soften, golden, and brown, adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning. It’s normal for them to stick to the pan; this is a natural part of the caramelization process. Once the onions are nicely browned, add a pinch of salt and continue stirring occasionally to ensure even browning. As the onions begin to stick to the pan, scrape them off with a metal spatula every few minutes to promote even cooking. When the onions have reached a golden brown color, deglaze the pan by adding 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This adds a tangy flavor to the soup.Next, push the caramelized onions to one side of the pot and add the Italian sausage to the other side. Chop the sausage into small pieces with your metal spatula and cook until browned, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.Stir in the sliced carrots and cook for 3-5 minutes to soften slightly. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the carrots are tender. Add the fresh or frozen cheese tortellini and fresh tomatoes to the simmering soup. Simmer for the time indicated on the tortellini package, typically 5-7 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender. If you’re cooking ahead and planning to store before eating, you can slightly undercook the tortellini so that they finish cooking when reheated.Stir in the tomato paste, adjusting to your taste. This adds depth and richness to the soup. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Just before serving, add the fresh baby spinach and kale. Gently stir, taking care not to disrupt the tortellini, then place the lid on the pot to allow the greens to wilt. Garnish with shaved or shredded Parmesan cheese and/or fresh basil leaves. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and enjoy your Sausage Tortellini Soup with Caramelized Onions.