Introduction
Chilly weeknight, bare pantry vibes, but you’re craving something that feels like a warm hug? Enter this Sausage Tortellini Soup a single Dutch oven situation packed with garlicky Italian sausage, pillowy cheese tortellini, and a tomato herb broth that tastes like it simmered all day (spoiler: 30 minutes, tops). It’s hearty enough to stand alone, yet uncomplicated enough for even post-work brain fog. Ready to ladle out the comfort? Let’s do it.
Ingredient Line-Up (Serves 6)
| Item | Amount | Notes |
| Olive oil | 1 Tbsp | For browning |
| Italian sausage, casings removed | 1 lb | Hot or mild, your call |
| Yellow onion, diced | 1 medium | |
| Carrots, diced | 2 | |
| Celery stalks, diced | 2 | |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves | |
| Tomato paste | 2 Tbsp | Umami booster |
| Crushed tomatoes | 1 (28-oz) can | |
| Low-sodium chicken broth | 6 cups | |
| Dried Italian seasoning | 1 tsp | |
| Fresh thyme | 2 sprigs (or ½ tsp dried) | |
| Cheese tortellini (refrigerated) | 1 (9-oz) package | |
| Baby spinach | 3 cups | Or kale, chopped |
| Heavy cream | ½ cup | Optional but silky |
| Salt & black pepper | To taste | |
| Parmesan, grated | For serving | |
| Fresh basil or parsley | 2 Tbsp chopped | Bright finish |
One-Pot Method (30 Minutes)
- Brown the sausage
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium/high. Add sausage; cook 5 min, crumbling, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. - Sauté aromatics
Stir in onion, carrots, celery. Cook 4 min until softened. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 min, letting paste darken. - Build the broth
Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, thyme, ½ tsp salt, and a few grinds pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce to medium and simmer 10 min (veggies finish cooking, flavors meld). - Tortellini time
Add tortellini; simmer per package (usually 3–5 min) until they float and turn tender. - Finish & serve
Stir in spinach to wilt, then swirl in cream if using. Fish out thyme sprigs, taste, adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls; shower with Parmesan and fresh herbs. Cue the satisfied silence.
Flavor Variations & Hacks
| Twist | Swap / Add | Result |
| Spicy kick | Use hot Italian sausage + pinch red-pepper flakes | Extra warmth |
| Veg-up | Toss in 1 cup zucchini half-moons with tortellini | Spring vibes |
| Lighten it | Substitute turkey sausage + 2% evaporated milk for cream | Slim but still creamy |
| Pantry savior | Frozen spinach & shelf-stable tortellini work fine | Zero grocery run |
Leftovers tip: Pasta will keep absorbing broth. When reheating, splash in extra stock to return it to soupy glory.
Nutrition Snapshot (1 of 6 bowls, with cream)
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
| ~420 | 22 g | 34 g | 23 g |
Wholesome but cozy exactly what comfort food should be.
Final Ladle
With browned sausage, tender tortellini, and a tomato broth that hugs every spoonful, this Sausage Tortellini Soup earns permanent rotation status. Little chopping, one pot, 30 minutes then it’s just you, a bowl, and pure contentment. Grab that ladle, and chase the chill away! 🍲
