Feeding a family of seven is no small feat. Someone’s always not hungry, someone else suddenly can’t eat anything green, and another mysteriously “never liked rice.” Finding a dinner that pleases the whole crew? Practically a miracle. But this soup—this Sausage Tortellini Soup—actually did it. Bonus points, it’s a one-pot meal!
It’s hearty, cozy, and full of flavor, with enough flexibility to make everyone happy. You can add tomatoes and cream if you want it rich and velvety—or leave them out for a lighter version. Either way, it’s absolutely delicious. Perfect for busy weeknights, cold weekends, or any time you need a win at the dinner table.
Why This Soup Works
- Balanced flavors & textures: Spicy or mild sausage gives savory depth, sweet potato adds a hint of sweetness and body, and tortellini brings comforting, cheesy bites.
- Flexible for picky eaters: Leave out the spinach or sweet potato for the green‑averse; swap in different veggies (zucchini, bell pepper) if someone won’t touch carrots; use a mild sausage or turkey sausage for little ones.
- One‑pot ease: Brown, sauté, simmer, and finish all in one Dutch oven or soup pot—minimal cleanup!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Instructions:
- 1. In a large soup pot, heat olive oil and add sausage that has been removed from its casings. Brown sausage halfway.
- 2. Add chopped celery, carrots, onion, and garlic. Continue browning until onions are tender and meat is completely cooked.
- 3. Add the sliced sweet potato pieces and saute for another 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, basil, and diced tomatoes. Mix well.
- 4. Add broth and bring soup to a boil for 15-20 minutes or until sweet potatoes start breaking apart when pressed with a spoon.
- 5. Next, add the tortellini to the boiling soup. Boil the tortellini in the soup according to the package directions.
- 6. When noodles are done and ready to serve, add chopped spinach. (If tortellini sucked up most of the broth you can add a cup or two of water. Adjust salt if needed.)
- 7. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and crusty bread or rolls.
Expanded Tips & Techniques
1. Browning the Sausage
- Don’t rush it: Let the sausage sit undisturbed for 2–3 minutes before breaking it up. This gives better caramelization and flavor.
- Drain if needed: If your sausage is very fatty, spoon off excess oil before adding veggies so the soup isn’t greasy.
2. Veggie Prep
- Uniform cuts: Thinly slice celery and carrots, and cube the sweet potato to about ½” pieces. Even sizing ensures everything cooks in sync.
- Layered sauté: Onions first until translucent, then add garlic last (just 30 seconds) so it doesn’t burn.
3. Building the Broth
- Homemade vs. store‑bought: If you have homemade chicken or veggie stock, that’s ideal—but a good-quality carton works great too. Taste as you go and adjust seasoning.
- Tomatoes (optional): A 14‑oz can of diced tomatoes (undrained) adds acidity and color. If you love tomato flavor, swap half the broth for a can of crushed tomatoes.
4. Cooking the Tortellini
- Timing is key: Add tortellini only once the broth is at a rolling boil. Stir gently so they don’t stick.
- Prevent overcooking: Taste a tortellino at the low end of the package time—cheese filling can burst if overcooked.
5. Greens & Finish
- Spinach vs. kale: Baby spinach wilts in seconds; if you use kale, remove stems, chop finely, and add a few minutes earlier.
- Creamy finish (optional): Stir in ½–1 cup heavy cream off‑heat for richness. Alternatively, swirl in a dollop of mascarpone or Greek yogurt when serving.
Variations & Add‑Ins
| Variation | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian | Use plant‑based sausage or omit meat; boost umami with mushrooms. |
| Spicy kick | Stir in red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce at step 3. |
| Slow‑cooker style | Brown sausage & veggies on stovetop, then transfer to slow cooker; add broth & sweet potato, cook 4 hrs on Low, add tortellini last hour. |
| Gluten‑free | Swap tortellini for gluten‑free pasta or chickpea pasta shells. |
| Lower carb | Replace tortellini with zucchini noodles (add them in step 7). |
Make‑Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Make‑ahead: You can cook through step 4 (before adding tortellini) and refrigerate up to 24 hrs. When ready, reheat, then add tortellini and finish.
- Freezing: Freeze without tortellini or spinach for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight, reheat, then add fresh tortellini and greens.
- Reheating: Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium‑low, adding a splash of broth or water if too thick.
Serving & Garnishes
- Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano at the table.
- Herbs: A sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil brightens each bowl.
- Bread: Crusty Italian bread, garlic toast, or soft dinner rolls are perfect for sopping up broth.
- Sides: Simple green salad (for those willing!), roasted veggies, or antipasto platter.
FAQ
- My tortellini soaked up all the broth—help!
Add 1–2 cups of water or extra stock, bring back to a simmer, and adjust salt. - Can I swap the sweet potato?
Yes—use butternut squash, Yukon gold potatoes, or even white beans for protein. - My family hates green—how do I sneak in the spinach?
Finely chop or puree the spinach into the broth before adding tortellini. It’ll add nutrients without a strong flavor.
With these extra pointers and tweaks, you’ll have a foolproof, adaptable soup that truly satisfies every member of your family—no matter their quirks. Enjoy!
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Sasage Tortellini Soup
Sausage Tortellini Soup is the ultimate comfort food. The recipe features sweet potatoes, spinach, garlic, and cheese tortellini - all smothered in a creamy delicious broth. This one-pot meal takes only 40 minutes to make and requires minimal cleanup as only one pan is used! Perfect dinner for busy families.
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Ingredients
Instructions
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1.Heat olive oil in a large, high-sided pot over medium heat. Add crumbled sausage.
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2.Cook for several minutes over medium heat, stirring until the sausage is cooked through. Drain all grease. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and paprika.
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3. Add cubed sweet potato, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste (Optional).
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4.Add 6 cups of water. Note: You don't need to use chicken stock as the sausage imparts lots of flavor to the soup.
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5. Bring to boil. Mix everything well, ensuring the tomato paste dissolves.
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6.Once the soup is boiling, reduce to simmer (a visible boil), cover the pot with a lid, and cook for 15 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through.
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7.Add tortellini to soup in the pot, cover with a lid and boil for 10 minutes over medium heat. Note: Use the cooking time indicated on the tortellini package as your guide.
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8.Add spinach right in the end, stir in until it slightly wilts.
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9.Remove the soup from heat. Add the cream and stir it in.
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10.Season with salt and more red pepper flakes (add spice especially if you did not use spicy sausage). Top with fresh thyme.
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11.Important note: No salt might be necessary if the sausage is very salty. Use your judgment about whether to add salt or not based on how salty the sausage is. If the sausage is not very salty, season with salt to taste, about ¼ teaspoon of salt or less.
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Notes
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Cream separates as the soup cools off. You might notice that the cream might look separated (or grainy) as the soup cools off. That's no reason for worry. As soon as you warm the soup up on the stovetop or in the microwave oven and stir it well, the texture will get back to normal. The same thing will happen if you refrigerate the soup. The creamy texture will turn grainy (will look separated) after the soup has been refrigerated. Again, once you warm up the soup, the texture will get creamy again.
Nutrition Facts
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 430kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 28g44%
- Saturated Fat 11g56%
- Trans Fat 1g
- Cholesterol 82mg28%
- Sodium 603mg26%
- Potassium 473mg14%
- Total Carbohydrate 28g10%
- Dietary Fiber 4g16%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 16g32%
- Vitamin A 7916 IU
- Vitamin C 16 mg
- Calcium 147 mg
- Iron 4 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Sausage Tortellini Soup, Easy Dinner
