Description
Hearty spicy sausage and tortellini soup delivers comfort in each spoonful. Rich Italian-inspired flavors blend perfectly with robust ingredients, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (1 pound) spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
- 9 oz (9 ounces) cheese tortellini
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 oz (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups baby spinach or kale, chopped
- 1 tsp (1 teaspoon) red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp (1 teaspoon) Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp (1 tablespoon) olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley
- Extra red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Sausage Searing: In a spacious pot over medium heat, crumble spicy sausage until golden-brown, draining excess fat while preserving a thin layer for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Aromatic Foundation: Sauté onions until translucent, then introduce garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning, allowing their vibrant essences to permeate the developing base.
- Liquid Integration: Pour diced tomatoes and chicken broth into the pot, stirring to create a harmonious mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop depth of flavor.
- Tortellini Transformation: Immerse cheese tortellini into the simmering liquid, cooking until they become plump and tender. Monitor carefully to prevent overcooking, adjusting time based on fresh or frozen variety.
- Creamy Finale: Incorporate heavy cream, creating a luxurious texture. Fold in fresh baby spinach or kale, allowing greens to wilt gracefully. Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Culinary Presentation: Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan, torn basil leaves, and optional red pepper flakes. Serve alongside crusty artisan bread for a complete gastronomic experience.
Notes
- Control Sausage Fat: Drain excess grease but keep a thin layer for richer flavor depth, preventing the soup from becoming overly greasy while maintaining a robust taste profile.
- Tortellini Timing Precision: Fresh tortellini cooks faster than frozen, so watch carefully to avoid overcooking. Aim for a tender, al dente texture that maintains its shape and doesn’t become mushy.
- Cream Integration Technique: Add heavy cream at the end of cooking to prevent separation or curdling. Stir gently and remove from direct heat to maintain a smooth, silky consistency.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes according to personal heat tolerance. Start with a small amount and gradually increase for those who prefer more intense spiciness without overwhelming the other flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 438
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 925 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg