Description
This creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup is a flavorful and comforting meal made with Italian sausage, kale, tender tortellini, and a rich broth enhanced with subtle spices and cream. Perfect for a quick and hearty dinner, this soup combines savory sausage, aromatic herbs, and fresh kale in a smooth, creamy base.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups kale (chopped)
Soup Base and Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups tortellini (just under 10 oz., refrigerated or frozen)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage and Onions: Remove casings from sausage if using links. In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the sausage along with the diced onions until the onions are softened and sausage is cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Incorporate Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the sausage mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Spices: Mix in dried basil, oregano, cayenne (if using), hot sauce, mustard powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to scrape and clean the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Slowly stir in the heavy cream. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook Tortellini and Kale: Add the kale and tortellini to the pot. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the tortellini is cooked through and kale is tender. If the tortellini needs more time, add it first and the kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Season to Taste: Taste the soup and add salt starting with ¼ teaspoon, adjusting as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Pairs wonderfully with garlic bread with cheese.
Notes
- The mustard powder and hot sauce provide subtle background flavors that enhance the overall taste, so it is highly recommended to include them.
- You can use either refrigerated or frozen tortellini depending on what’s available.
- For a spicier kick, adjust the cayenne and red pepper flakes to your preference.
- Drain the sausage grease carefully to avoid a greasy soup base.
- This soup is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 314 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 836 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg
