Description
Comfort meets Italian flair in this creamy tortellini soup, a hearty blend of cheese-filled pasta, tender vegetables, and rich broth. Each spoonful delivers warmth and satisfaction, inviting you to savor a bowl of pure culinary comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage (casing removed)
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 medium sweet onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 bunch kale (stems removed and leaves chopped)
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) fresh basil (chopped)
Base and Seasonings:
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons (16 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 8-ounce (226 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1 3-inch Parmesan rind (optional)
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Dairy and Pasta:
- 1 9-ounce (255 grams) package refrigerated three-cheese tortellini
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) heavy cream
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious stockpot over medium heat, creating a flavorful base for the soup.
- Sauté Italian sausage until golden brown and crumbly, approximately 3-5 minutes, carefully draining excess grease.
- Incorporate minced garlic, diced onions, and Italian seasoning, allowing aromatics to develop and onions to become translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle flour into the mixture, toasting lightly for one minute to develop a rich, nutty undertone.
- Pour in chicken stock, tomato sauce, and Parmesan rind, bringing the liquid to a robust boil before reducing to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Introduce tortellini to the simmering broth, covering and cooking until pasta reaches perfect tenderness, roughly 5-7 minutes.
- Fold in fresh kale, allowing the leafy greens to wilt and infuse the soup with vibrant color and nutrients.
- Finish the soup by stirring in heavy cream and fresh basil, heating through for an additional minute and adjusting seasonings to taste.
- Ladle the creamy, aromatic tortellini soup into warm bowls and serve immediately for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Swap sausage with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian diets, ensuring robust flavor remains intact.
- Add extra Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for deeper umami taste and increased protein content.
- Consider freezing soup without cream, then add fresh cream when reheating to maintain optimal texture and prevent separation.
- Use gluten-free tortellini and replace flour with cornstarch for a celiac-friendly version without compromising creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 24-29 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg