The short answer: This tortellini soup is a 30-minute, one-pot dinner made with Italian sausage, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, broth, spinach and cheese tortellini. Brown the sausage, simmer the tomato broth for 10 minutes, then add the tortellini and spinach for the last 5. It serves 6, costs less than takeout and turns leftovers into easy lunches.
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Prep time: 15 minCook time: 22 minTotal time: 37 minServings: 6 servings
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I love cooking a big pot of soup when the weather turns cold, and tortellini soup is the fastest one I know that still feels like comfort food.
Tortellini soup ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Italian sausage, casings removed | 1 pound |
| Yellow onion, diced | 1 medium |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves |
| Crushed tomatoes | 1 can (28 ounces) |
| Chicken broth | 6 cups |
| Italian seasoning | 1½ teaspoons |
| Red pepper flakes | ¼ teaspoon, optional |
| Cheese tortellini, refrigerated or frozen | 9 to 12 ounces |
| Baby spinach | 3 to 4 cups |
| Grated Parmesan | for serving |
How to make tortellini soup
- Brown the sausage. Cook it in a large pot over medium-high heat, breaking it up, until no pink remains.
- Check the temperature. Ground pork sausage should reach 160°F, as the FoodSafety.gov temperature chart shows. Spoon off extra fat.
- Add aromatics. Stir in the onion and cook 4 to 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Build the broth. Add the tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer. Lower the heat and simmer 10 minutes so the flavors blend.
- Cook the tortellini. Add the pasta and cook 3 to 7 minutes, depending on the package.
- Wilt the spinach. Stir it in until it softens, about 1 minute. Taste and add salt.
- Serve with Parmesan on top.
Tortellini soup variations
| Version | What changes |
|---|---|
| Creamy tortellini soup | Stir in ¾ cup heavy cream at the end |
| Slow cooker | Cook the base on low 6 to 7 hours, add pasta last |
| Instant Pot | Pressure cook the base 5 minutes, then simmer the pasta |
| Vegetarian | Skip sausage, use vegetable broth, add white beans |
| Lighter | Use turkey sausage and extra vegetables |
| Kale and white bean | Swap kale for spinach and add 1 can of cannellini beans |
| Chicken tortellini soup | Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of sausage |
Tips for the best tortellini soup
- Add pasta last. Tortellini only needs a few minutes and gets soft if it simmers too long.
- Use good broth. Low-sodium broth lets you control the salt.
- Add a Parmesan rind. Simmer it with the broth for extra flavor, then remove it.
- Brighten it. A squeeze of lemon right before serving lifts the tomato flavor.
- Double the base, not the pasta. Freeze half the broth and sausage for another night.
Which tortellini to buy
- Refrigerated cheese tortellini cooks fastest and has the softest bite. It is the easiest pick for weeknights.
- Frozen tortellini is often cheaper per ounce and keeps for months, so it is handy to stock in the freezer.
- Dried tortellini takes longer, often 10 minutes or more, so check the package and add it earlier.
- Filled flavors like spinach and ricotta, three cheese or mushroom all work. Meat-filled tortellini makes the soup even heartier.
One 9-ounce package feeds about 4 people. Use 12 ounces or more if you want a thicker, more pasta-heavy soup.
Toppings that make it special
- Freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
- A spoonful of pesto swirled into each bowl
- Torn fresh basil or chopped parsley
- A drizzle of good olive oil
- Extra red pepper flakes for heat
- Toasted breadcrumbs for crunch
- A dollop of ricotta for a creamy finish
Set the toppings out in small bowls so everyone can build their own.
Storing, freezing and reheating
Cool the soup and refrigerate it within 2 hours. It keeps 3 to 4 days, which matches the USDA leftovers guidance. Reheat until it is steaming hot.
For freezing, cool the base without tortellini and freeze it up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, bring it to a simmer and cook fresh tortellini right before serving. That keeps the pasta from turning mushy.
A cozy soup week
| Night | Soup | Side |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Tortellini soup | Garlic bread |
| Wednesday | Chicken noodle soup | Crackers |
| Friday | Minestrone soup | Green salad |
| Sunday | Leftover soup lunch | Grilled cheese |
Find more pots to rotate in our big list of soup recipes and our freezer meals guide.
Write your soup week on the Meal Planner & Grocery List, and keep an eye on grocery costs with the Budget Planner Printable ($5.99). See every kitchen and planning page in our printables.
Frequently asked questions
How long does tortellini take to cook in soup? Fresh refrigerated tortellini cooks in soup in about 3 to 5 minutes. Frozen tortellini takes about 5 to 7 minutes, so add it at the very end.
Can I use frozen tortellini in soup? Yes, frozen cheese tortellini works well in soup and doesn't need thawing. Add a couple of extra minutes to the cook time and stir so the pieces don't stick.
How do I keep tortellini from getting mushy in soup? Add tortellini only in the last few minutes, and store leftover pasta separately if you can. Tortellini keeps absorbing broth as it sits, which makes it soft.
Can I make tortellini soup creamy? Yes, stir in ½ to 1 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end for a creamy tortellini soup. Keep the heat low after adding dairy so it doesn't separate.
Can I freeze tortellini soup? Tortellini soup freezes best without the pasta, for up to 3 months. Freeze the sausage and tomato base, then cook fresh tortellini when you reheat it.
Can I make tortellini soup in a slow cooker? Yes, you can make tortellini soup in a slow cooker. Brown the sausage, then cook the base on low for 6 to 7 hours. Add the tortellini and spinach in the last 15 to 20 minutes.
What sausage is best for tortellini soup? Mild or hot Italian sausage is the classic choice for tortellini soup. Turkey or chicken Italian sausage makes a lighter version.
What can I use instead of spinach in tortellini soup? Kale, Swiss chard or escarole all work instead of spinach in tortellini soup. Hardier greens like kale need about 5 extra minutes to soften.
How do I make vegetarian tortellini soup? Skip the sausage, use vegetable broth and add white beans, zucchini and extra Italian seasoning. Cheese tortellini keeps it filling.
How long does tortellini soup last in the fridge? Tortellini soup keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator in a covered container. The pasta softens over time, so add a splash of broth when reheating.
What goes with tortellini soup? Garlic bread, a green salad or crusty bread go well with tortellini soup. It is filling enough to serve as a one-pot dinner.
How can I fit tortellini soup into a weekly meal plan? Tortellini soup is a fast 30-minute dinner that also makes good lunches. The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. helps you plan soup night and buy only what you need.
Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov