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This decadent tortellini soup is packed with plump pasta and a creamy broth of spicy sausage and wilted spinach. The definition of simple, one-pot comfort food!

Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup in a bowl

This creamy spinach tortellini soup isn’t just super easy to make, but it’s also always a crowd-pleaser, especially served with breadsticks. The way the spicy Italian sausage elevates the creamy broth and tender tortellini is unexplainably good. We often make a big batch when our family comes over and literally never have any leftovers to spare. In so many ways, it reminds me of my favorite soup at Olive Garden called Zuppa Toscana.

If you’re a fan of one-pot dinners and fewer dishes, you’re going to love this soup. It’s the perfect candidate for a lazy, laid-back weekend or weeknight dinner. You barely have to fuss with it, yet it tastes as it came straight from your favorite the kitchen of your favorite Italian restaurant.

What is Tortellini Soup Made of?

This creamy spinach tortellini soup is made with under 10 ingredients, with the tortellini and spicy Italian sausage likely being the only ones you don’t already have on hand. Below, find a rundown of the flavor, texture, and cooking time.

  • Flavor: This soup has a delicate cream-based broth that’s elevated by the punch of spice from the Italian sausage, earthiness of the tortellini, and salty cheese-stuffed tortellini.
  • Texture: The silky-smooth broth is complemented by the ground sausage, tender tortellini, and fresh spinach.
  • Time: From prep to table, this soup takes just under an hour and a half to make.
Ingredients for Tortellini soup

How to Make Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup

Making this tortellini soup only requires a handful of ingredients and one pot. Below, find a quick overview of the recipe before you dive in.

  • Prep the Veggies: Using a sharp knife, dice the onion and press the garlic.
  • Build the Soup Base: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven preheated with oil, cook the ground Italian sausage over medium heat. Next, add in the diced onion and pressed garlic, sautéing until softened. Cover the meat mixture with water and let it all simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the Tortellini & Heavy Whipping Cream: Pop the tortellini in and let the soup simmer until it’s cooked through. Next, pour in the heavy whipping cream and bring it to a simmer once more.
  • Add the Spinach and Season to Taste: Add in the spinach and allow it to wilt. Season with salt. Remove it from heat and serve immediately!
Sausage in a pan cooking
Onion, garlic and sausage in a pot
Broth added to the sausage
Tortellini added to the soup
Spinach added to the Tortellini Soup
Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup in a pot

Tips & Tricks

Below, find a short collection of pro tips and tricks to help you make the best tortellini soup.

  • Cook the soup at a simmer. To prevent yourself from overcooking the ingredients, cook the soup on a simmer.
  • Don’t preboil the tortellini. To get the perfect al dente texture, don’t preboil the tortellini and pop them into the broth raw.
  • Add red pepper flakes. If you really like it spicy, add in some crushed red pepper flakes (or cracked black pepper for more mild spice) for an extra punch of flavor and color.
  • Remove the soup from heat. Always remove the soup from heat when it’s finished to prevent the cream from curdling.
  • Top the soup with parmesan cheese and/or fresh basil. For an extra pop of flavor, top the soup with freshly grated parmesan cheese or fresh basil.

What Does Tortellini Soup Go With?

Creamy tortellini soup is filling on its own. However, if you want to whip up a more well-rounded meal, pair it with a homemade caesar salad or roasted beet salad with goat cheese. Also, don’t forget the crusty bread! There’s nothing like dunking some homemade focaccia or garlic knots into the broth. Yum!

How Long is Tortellini Soup Good For?

This tortellini soup should last for up to five days in the refrigerator. Make sure to store it in an airtight container so it doesn’t absorb any lingering smells in your refrigerator. The kicker? It gets more flavorful as it marinates in itself, making for some pretty amazing leftovers throughout the week.

Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup in a pot

FAQ

How long is tortellini soup good for?

Tortellini soup should stay fresh for up to a week. Make sure to store it in an airtight container in your fridge.

How are tortellini traditionally served?

Tortellini are traditionally served tossed in pasta sauce, butter and herbs, or soups.

Do you have to cook the tortellini before adding it to soup?

You do not have to cook the tortellini before adding it to your soup. In fact, it’s better to add the raw or frozen tortellini directly into the broth to prevent them from turning mushy.

What are tortellini typically filled with?

Tortellini typically come filled with different cheeses or a seasoned ground meat mixture.

What are some good side dishes for tortellini soup?

You can serve tortellini alongside a handful side dishes. Caesar salad is a great option, but feel free to whip up any salad you love most. Bread is also an obvious option to sop up the broth.

Other Italian Soup Recipes

Recipe

Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup in a bowl

Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup

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Servings
16 Servings
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This decadent tortellini soup is packed with plump pasta and a creamy broth of spicy sausage and wilted spinach. The definition of simple, one-pot comfort food!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cheese tortellini
  • 1 lb hot Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups spinach
US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Gather the ingredients for the soup. Dice the onion and press the garlic.
    Ingredients for Tortellini soup
  • In a soup pot preheated over medium heat, add in the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up as you cook it. Next, add in the diced onion and pressed garlic. Cover with 3 quarts of water.
    Onion, garlic and sausage in a pot
  • Let the soup simmer for about 20 minutes. Then, add the tortellini and let it simmer until the pasta is cooked through (about 2-3 minutes if you're using refrigerated, raw tortellini and about 5-6 minutes if you're using frozen tortellini). Add in the whipping cream and stir to combine.
    Liquid added to the sausage and tortellini
  • Bring the soup to a simmer and add in the diced spinach. Season to taste with salt.
    Spinach added to the Tortellini Soup
  • Remove from the heat and enjoy!
    Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup in a pot
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 242 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 53mg18%
Sodium 485mg20%
Potassium 117mg3%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 571IU11%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 62mg6%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted November 1, 2021

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.