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Creamy Tortellini Soup

You’ve just found the BEST creamy tortellini soup with Italian sausage, spinach and Italian seasonings in a light cream broth dusted with fresh Parmesan.

It’s cozy, comforting and flavorful, so it checks all of the right boxes! It’ll be your new favorite cooler weather creamy soup, I promise.

An overheat shot of a Dutch oven filled with creamy tortellini soup.

How to make creamy tortellini soup

  • Onion, celery and carrots: Mirepoix is essential for most soups! Also known as aromatics.
  • Garlic: Use as much or as little as you like. Garlic obviously adds immense flavor!
  • Italian sausage: You can use pork or turkey or a mix.
  • Dried oregano: Not the ground oregano, but dried leaves. It’s amazing here!
  • Spinach or kale: Any green will work, actually.
  • Fresh tortellini: Grab a container or bag of fresh cheese tortellini. I love the spinach kind.
  • Stock: Use unsalted chicken stock or make your own.
  • Evaporated milk: My trick for making a rich creamy soup without adding any or as much cream or half and half. It’s a brilliant trick!
  • Parmesan: Grate some on top before eating. YUM!
An overhead shot of a pot of tortellini soup.

Equipment Needed

  • Cutting board and chef’s knife.
  • Measuring cups (liquid) and spoons, unless you want to wing it.
  • A Dutch oven or soup pot.
  • A wooden spoon.
  • Bowls and spoons, plus a ladle, for serving.
A side shot of a pot of tortellini soup.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or stock pot to medium heat.
  2. Add onion, celery and carrot and saute 8-10 minutes, until soft.
  3. Stir in garlic, then sausage and saute 7-8 minutes, until sausage is browned, using a spatula to break it into pieces.
  4. Stir in the oregano, spinach, salt and peppers and saute until spinach has wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Add chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
  6. Add the tortellini and cook 6-7 minutes, until tortellini is cooked.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk and corn starch until dissolved.
  8. Pour mixture into the pot and simmer 3-4 minutes, until thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
  9. Spoon into bowls and top with Parmesan and greens or fresh herbs, if desired.
An overhead shot of a bowl of creamy tortellini soup.

Recipe Substitutions and Alterations

  • Mirepoix: To save time, use frozen diced onions, carrots and celery.
  • Garlic: Although freshly chopped is best, used pre-minced garlic jarred in olive oil for a shortcut.
  • Italian sausage: Use turkey instead of pork for a lighter option.
  • Spinach: Use chopped kale or any dark leafy green (like chard or mustard greens).
  • Tortellini: If you can’t find tortellini, use your favorite shaped pasta instead.

Nutrition Considerations

  • To make it gluten free: Use gluten free tortellini or gluten free pasta instead of regular. Be sure all other packaged ingredients are gluten free.
  • To make it dairy free: Use dairy free milk or cream instead of evaporated milk. Use nutritional yeast or dairy free Parmesan instead of Parmesan.
  • To make it vegetarian: Use plant-based ground sausage.
  • To make it lower sodium: I’ve already cut back on sodium by using unsalted stock, but you can lower the sodium content even more by using ground pork or turkey and adding a few teaspoons of fennel to it while sauteing.
An overhead shot of a pot of creamy tortellini soup with chopped herbs.

Cozy soup recipes:

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Creamy Tortellini Soup

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The best creamy tortellini soup with Italian sausage, spinach and Italian seasonings made with a light cream broth dusted with fresh Parmesan.

  • Author: Julie Andrews
  • Prep Time: 10-15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30-35 mins
  • Total Time: 40-50 mins
  • Yield: Serves 8
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stove-Top
  • Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, peeled and diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1-pound ground Italian sausage (pork or turkey)
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano leaves
  • 4 cups baby spinach leaves
  • 1 ½ teaspoons coarse salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 6 cups unsalted chicken stock
  • 9-ounce package fresh cheese tortellini
  • 12-ounce can low fat evaporated milk
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • Freshly grated Parmesan, for topping

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or stock pot to medium heat. Add onion, celery and carrot and saute 8-10 minutes, until soft.
  2. Stir in garlic, then sausage and saute 7-8 minutes, until sausage is browned, using a spatula to break it into pieces.
  3. Stir in the oregano, spinach, salt and peppers and saute until spinach has wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Add chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
  4. Add the tortellini and cook 6-7 minutes, until tortellini is cooked.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk and corn starch until dissolved. Pour mixture into the pot and simmer 3-4 minutes, until thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
  6. Spoon into bowls and top with Parmesan and greens or fresh herbs, if desired.

Notes

Storage Tip: Store soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
  • Calories: 283
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 430mg
  • Fat: 17g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 17g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 39mg

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