Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

There's something truly special about a soup that feels like a full meal, a complete embrace in a bowl.

This sausage tortellini soup is exactly that, a hearty and flavorful one-pot wonder that comes together with surprising ease.

Why This Soup is a Weeknight Hero

We all have those evenings where the goal is simple: get a deeply satisfying dinner on the table without a huge production.

This soup was born from exactly that need, delivering rich, rustic flavor in a timeframe that feels almost like a magic trick.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

Gathering these simple components is the first step toward a fantastic meal.

Each one plays a specific role in building the soup's comforting layers of flavor and texture.

• Pork Sausage: The star of the show, it provides a savory, spiced foundation and rich, flavorful fat for cooking.
• Yellow Onion & Garlic: These aromatics create the essential flavor base, becoming sweet and fragrant as they sauté.
• Chicken Stock: Opt for stock over broth if you can, as it offers a deeper, more robust backbone for the soup.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes & Tomato Paste: Together, they bring a bright, tangy acidity and concentrated tomato depth.
• Dried Oregano & Basil: These classic Italian herbs infuse the broth with their warm, earthy essence.
• Granulated Sugar: Just a touch is all you need to perfectly balance the sharpness of the tomatoes.
• Red Pepper Flakes, Black Pepper, & Kosher Salt: This trio lets you fine-tune the heat and seasoning to your personal taste.
• Cheese Tortellini: These little pasta parcels deliver a delightful, cheesy surprise in every single spoonful.
• Baby Spinach Leaves: Added at the very end, they wilt gently into the hot soup, contributing a fresh, vibrant touch.

The Right Pot for the Job

Using a heavy-bottomed pot, like a Dutch oven, makes a noticeable difference here.

It distributes heat evenly, preventing any scorching and allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

How to make Sausage Tortellini Soup?

The process is straightforward, but a few key techniques build the incredible flavor.

Just follow these steps, and you'll have a steaming pot of comfort ready in no time.

Step 1 - Brown the Sausage

Heat a skillet over medium heat and form the sausage into small, rustic balls with your hands.

Cook them in two batches to ensure they brown properly and cook through, then set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 2 - Sauté the Aromatics

In that same skillet, using the glorious rendered sausage fat, cook the chopped onions until they become soft and translucent.

Stir in the pressed garlic and let it cook for just 30 seconds more, until its fragrance fills your kitchen.

Step 3 - Build the Broth

While the onions are cooking, combine the chicken stock, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried herbs, sugar, and spices in your large soup pot.

Bring this mixture to a lively boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about ten minutes to let the flavors get acquainted.

Step 4 - Combine and Crush

Stir the sautéed onion and garlic mixture into the simmering broth.

Now, take a potato masher and give everything a few gentle presses to lightly crush the tomatoes and onions, which helps thicken the soup slightly.

Step 5 - Cook the Tortellini and Finish

Add the cheese tortellini to the pot and cook it according to the package directions.

In the final minute of cooking, stir in the reserved sausage and the fresh spinach, just until the spinach wilts.

Step 6 - Serve Immediately

Ladle the hot, steaming soup into deep bowls.

This is the moment where a chunk of crusty bread for dipping becomes absolutely non-negotiable.

Tips

A few small touches can elevate this soup from great to absolutely exceptional.

Don't be afraid to make it your own with these simple suggestions.

• For a more complex flavor, deglaze the onion pan with a splash of white wine after sautéing, scraping up all the browned bits.
• Always taste your soup just before serving and adjust the salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to suit your palate.
• If you have leftovers, the soup often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to mingle.
• A final garnish of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs adds a wonderful finishing touch.
• If your soup thickens too much upon standing, simply loosen it with a small splash of additional chicken stock when reheating.

Ingredient Swaps and Variations

The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility, so feel free to adapt it based on what you have on hand.

A different protein or vegetable can give the soup a whole new character with minimal effort.

• For a lighter option, try using Italian turkey sausage or even ground chicken seasoned with fennel and red pepper flakes.
• If you're not a fan of spinach, chopped kale or Swiss chard are robust greens that work wonderfully in this soup.
• Feel free to experiment with different tortellini fillings; a three-cheese or mushroom version would be delightful.
• To add more substance, a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans can be stirred in with the tortellini.

Storing and Reheating Your Soup

This soup makes for fantastic leftovers, but the pasta requires a little special consideration.

With a simple trick, you can enjoy it days later without the tortellini becoming mushy.

• For the best texture, store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent the tortellini from breaking down.
• If you plan to freeze the soup, it's best to do so before adding the tortellini and spinach for optimal results.
• You can also cook and freeze the tortellini separately, then add them to individual portions when you reheat.