Name: Sausage Tortellini Soup with Spinach
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 lb Italian chicken sausage, casings removed (mild or spicy); 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 4 cups chicken broth; 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional); Salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 (9 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini; 2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped; 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half; For serving: freshly grated Parmesan cheese, crusty bread or homemade rolls

Description

A creamy, hearty, and flavorful one-pot soup with cheese tortellini, savory sausage, and fresh spinach — ready in just 30 minutes for the perfect cozy fall meal.

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb Italian chicken sausage, casings removed (mild or spicy)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 (9 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
For serving: freshly grated Parmesan cheese, crusty bread or homemade rolls

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it apart, and cook until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Remove excess grease if needed.
Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes with juices. Add Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir, scraping up browned bits.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes to meld flavors.
Add cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions (4–5 minutes) until tender but slightly firm.
Stir in chopped spinach until wilted, about 1 minute. Lower heat and stir in cream. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Ladle soup into bowls, top with Parmesan, and serve with crusty bread.

Notes

Tips: Use Italian chicken sausage for rich flavor without heaviness, watch tortellini to prevent overcooking, add spinach last to preserve color, and use half-and-half for a lighter version. Variations: Gluten-free — swap tortellini for GF pasta or gnocchi; Vegetarian — replace sausage with mushrooms or white beans; Add carrots, celery, or zucchini for more veggies; Make it spicy with hot sausage and extra pepper flakes. Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze (without tortellini) for 2 months. Reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of broth or cream.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: One Pot
Cuisine: Italian-American