Creamy Tortellini Soup
The first time I made tortellini soup, it was on a rainy evening when I wanted something warm, filling, and comforting. The aroma of sizzling Italian sausage, garlic, and fresh herbs filled the air, and as I stirred in the tender pasta and cream, I knew this dish would rank among the best family soup recipes I’d ever served. The flavors reminded me of cozy trattoria dinners in Italy, yet it came together in under an hour in my own kitchen.
This recipe has quickly become the best tortellini soup for chilly nights, picky eaters, and anyone craving an easy but flavorful dinner. Whether you’re looking for sausage potato tortellini soup, creamy soups recipes tortellini style, or even a version you can adapt into a dinner recipes crockpot soup, this one will not disappoint.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Drain grease and set sausage aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened, about 8–10 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and crushed tomatoes, scraping up browned bits from the pot. Return sausage to pot and bring to a simmer.
- Add tortellini and cook until al dente, about 3–5 minutes depending on package instructions.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and spinach. Cook just until spinach wilts. Do not boil.
- Ladle soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Why you’ll love this tortellini soup
- A one-pot meal that tastes like restaurant comfort food.
- Works for picky eaters since it balances creamy broth with mild pasta.
- Easily doubled to make one of the best family soup recipes for gatherings.
- Can be made on the stove or adapted as a crockpot tortelli soup.
- Rich, hearty, and full of flavor from sausage, spinach, and Parmesan.
Ingredients for creamy tortellini soup
| Ingredient | Measurement | Notes & Substitutions |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp | Butter works for extra richness |
| Ground Italian sausage | 1 lb | Use spicy for kick, turkey for lighter |
| Yellow onion | 1 large, chopped | White onion works too |
| Carrots | 3, peeled & diced | Parsnips for sweetness |
| Celery | 3 stalks, diced | Adds base flavor |
| Garlic | 4 cloves, minced | Fresh is best |
| Chicken broth | 6 cups | Vegetable broth for vegetarian Aldi tortellini soup |
| Crushed tomatoes | 28 oz can | Diced tomatoes for chunkier style |
| Dried basil | 1 tsp | Fresh basil at the end for brightness |
| Dried oregano | 1 tsp | Italian seasoning as alternative |
| Red pepper flakes | ½ tsp (optional) | Adjust for heat |
| Cheese tortellini | 9 oz package | Fresh or frozen both work |
| Heavy cream | 1 cup | Half-and-half for lighter option |
| Fresh spinach | 4 cups, chopped | Kale for sturdier greens |
| Parmesan cheese | For topping | Romano or Asiago as substitutes |
| Parsley | For garnish | Optional, adds freshness |
How to make tortellini soup step by step
If you’ve ever wondered how to make tortellini soup at home, here’s the simple process:
- Brown the sausage – Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven. Add sausage and cook until browned. Drain grease and set aside.
- Sauté veggies – In the same pot, cook onion, carrots, and celery until tender (8–10 minutes).
- Add flavor – Stir in garlic, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes until fragrant.
- Deglaze & add liquids – Pour in chicken broth and crushed tomatoes, scraping the pot bottom.
- Return sausage – Add sausage back in and bring to a simmer.
- Cook pasta – Drop in tortellini and cook until al dente (3–5 minutes).
- Finish creamy – Lower heat, stir in cream and spinach until spinach wilts. Do not boil after adding cream.
- Serve – Ladle into bowls, top with Parmesan and parsley.
That’s it — tortelli soup made simple, hearty, and unforgettable.
Serving ideas for tortellini soup
- Pair with crusty bread or garlic knots for a complete dinner.
- Serve alongside a Caesar salad for balance.
- Add roasted potatoes for a sausage potato tortellini soup twist.
- For holiday gatherings, garnish with rosemary and Parmesan crisps for elegance.
- As a weeknight dinner, pair with Aldi tortellini soup sides like bruschetta or antipasto.
How to perfect your soups recipes tortellini style
- Brown well – Let the sausage develop deep caramelization.
- Don’t rush pasta – Cook tortellini until just tender, never mushy.
- Add greens last – Spinach keeps its vibrant green when added at the end.
- Control creaminess – Start with half cream, taste, and adjust.
- Test seasoning – A pinch of salt and black pepper at the end makes flavors pop.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Boiling after adding cream — leads to curdled broth.
- Overcooking tortellini — pasta falls apart quickly.
- Forgetting to deglaze — those browned bits are pure flavor.
- Adding spinach too early — it turns mushy and dull.
- Skipping Parmesan — freshly grated cheese makes it irresistible.
Storage and reheating instructions
| Method | Time | Notes |
| Refrigerator | 3–4 days | Store in airtight container. |
| Freezer | 2 months | Freeze without pasta, add fresh when reheating. |
| Reheating | Stove or microwave | Warm gently to prevent cream separation. |
FAQs about tortellini soup
Is this good for picky eaters?
Yes, this is one of the best soup recipes for picky eaters — creamy, mild, and full of pasta.
Can I make this as a crockpot soup?
Yes, brown sausage first, then add all ingredients except tortellini, cream, and spinach. Stir those in near the end for a dinner recipes crockpot soup success.
Can I use frozen tortellini?
Yes, just add a few minutes to the cook time.
Can I make an Aldi tortellini soup with this recipe?
Absolutely — Aldi tortellini is affordable and works perfectly here.
How to make tortellini soup vegetarian?
Swap sausage for white beans and use vegetable broth.
Final thoughts
This creamy sausage potato tortellini soup is more than just dinner — it’s comfort in a bowl. It’s flexible enough for picky eaters, hearty enough for family gatherings, and simple enough for busy weeknights. Whether you make it stovetop, as tortelli soup, or as a dinner recipes crockpot soup, it will always deliver flavor and warmth.
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