- Quick, one-pot tortellini soup ready in about 30 minutes—perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.
- Creamy, tomato-based broth with cheesy tortellini offers comforting Italian flavors, adaptable with sausage or veggies.
- Key tips: add tortellini at the end, don’t boil cream, season as you go, garnish with basil or pepper.
- Store leftovers in fridge up to 3 days; keep pasta separate for reheating to avoid mushy tortellini.
If there’s one recipe that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, it’s tortellini soup. Picture tender, cheesy tortellini floating in a rich tomato broth, with just enough cream to make it cozy but not heavy. It’s the kind of comfort food soup you crave when the weather turns chilly, or honestly, whenever you just need something satisfying fast.
I started making this easy tortellini soup recipe on weeknights when I wanted something homemade but didn’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen. Everything happens in one pot, it’s ready in about 30 minutes, and the flavor? Pure Italian comfort with a hint of creamy indulgence. Whether you add sausage, keep it vegetarian, or toss in a handful of spinach, this soup always hits the spot.
Table of contents
- Let’s Make This Cozy Tortellini Soup Together!
- Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Cozy Bowl of Tortellini Soup
- Pro Tips for the Best Bowl of Tortellini Soup
- Mistakes to Avoid When Making This Soup
- Variations to Try (Because One Bowl Is Never Enough)
- Serving Up Cozy: How to Enjoy Your Tortellini Soup
- How to Store and Reheat Your Soup Like a Pro
- FAQs: Your Tortellini Soup Questions, Answered
- Wrapping It Up, Your Next Cozy Night In
Let’s Make This Cozy Tortellini Soup Together!
Tortellini Soup Recipe
6
servings10
minutes20
minutes370
kcalThis creamy Italian tortellini soup is cozy, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. Filled with tender tortellini, spinach, and a velvety tomato broth, it’s a comforting bowl of warmth that tastes like a hug from Italy.
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Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, optional for vegetarian version)
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, sliced
4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
9 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
2 cups fresh spinach (or kale)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
0.5 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
0.25 teaspoon black pepper
0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Directions
- Start by warming a large soup pot over medium heat and drizzle in the olive oil. If you’re using sausage, add it to the pot and cook until it’s browned and crumbly, this adds a ton of flavor. Once the sausage is ready, scoop it out and set it aside, leaving a bit of the rendered oil in the pot.
- Next, toss in your onions, garlic, and carrots. Let them sauté for about five minutes until they start to soften and smell amazing. Add your Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, this helps the spices bloom and deepens the flavor of the broth.
- Pour in your broth and crushed tomatoes, giving everything a good stir. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then add back the cooked sausage (if using). Once the soup is bubbling lightly, stir in the tortellini. Let it cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, or just until the tortellini are tender and floating.
- Now comes the magic, lower the heat and slowly pour in the cream. Stir it well and watch the broth turn beautifully rich and velvety. Finally, toss in the spinach and let it wilt for about a minute.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then ladle it into bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan, and serve warm. It’s cozy, quick, and oh-so comforting!
Notes
- Go vegetarian: Skip the sausage and use vegetable broth for a rich, vegetarian tortellini soup.
- Make it healthier: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or coconut milk for a lighter, healthy tortellini soup.
- Add more veggies: Mushrooms, zucchini, or kale make great additions.
- Turn it into a meal prep soup: This reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.
- Want a thicker texture? Let the soup simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce slightly.
- For extra cheesy flavor: Stir in a handful of shredded mozzarella right before serving for a cheesy tortellini finish.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 6
- Calories: 370kcal
- Fat: 23g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
- Protein: 16g
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Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Cozy Bowl of Tortellini Soup
Every now and then, you stumble upon a recipe that becomes your “I could eat this every week” kind of dish. This soup is exactly that. It’s creamy, hearty, and packed with flavor, but still light enough to enjoy as a weeknight dinner without feeling weighed down. Plus, it’s a true one pot tortellini soup, which means fewer dishes and more cozy couch time.
Here’s why this soup works so beautifully:
- Comfort in every bite: The cheesy pasta pockets soak up the rich tomato and broth base, creating a warm, comfort food soup that’s both creamy and savory.
- Quick and easy: From start to finish, it’s ready in under 30 minutes, a total quick dinner idea for busy nights.
- Flexible ingredients: You can go with a sausage tortellini soup for a meaty twist, or keep it as a vegetarian tortellini soup by loading it with spinach and veggies.
- One pot magic: Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor. Everything simmers together, letting the flavors mingle perfectly.
- Make it your own: Swap the cream for coconut milk for a dairy-free healthy tortellini soup, or toss in kale instead of spinach for extra texture.
This Italian tortellini soup isn’t just delicious, it’s also versatile, meal-prep friendly, and a total crowd-pleaser for the whole family.
Pro Tips for the Best Bowl of Tortellini Soup
You know how some soups taste even better the next day? This one’s definitely in that club. Here are a few quick tips to make your creamy tortellini soup taste like it came straight from an Italian café.
- Don’t overcook the tortellini: Add them near the end so they stay tender, not mushy.
- Bloom your spices: Let your Italian seasoning sizzle in the oil for a few seconds to wake up the flavor.
- Balance the cream: Add it slowly at low heat to keep the broth silky instead of oily.
- Boost the comfort factor: For a flavor upgrade, check out my Boursin Pasta recipe, it’s another creamy favorite you’ll love on chilly nights.
- Garnish like a pro: A little fresh basil or cracked pepper makes every bowl feel restaurant-worthy.
Mistakes to Avoid When Making This Soup
Even simple recipes can go sideways if you rush. Here’s what to avoid so your tortellini soup turns out creamy and perfect every time:
- Overcooking the tortellini: Add it last and cook just until tender.
- Boiling the cream: Keep the heat low to maintain that silky texture.
- Skipping seasoning: Taste as you go, especially after adding broth or tomatoes.
- Adding spinach too soon: Stir it in at the end so it stays bright and fresh.
Follow these small tips and your creamy tortellini soup will taste like an Italian classic every time.
Variations to Try (Because One Bowl Is Never Enough)
Half the fun of cooking is making a recipe your own. This Italian soup is endlessly adaptable, here are a few ideas to keep things fresh.
- Tomato Spinach Tortellini Soup: Skip the cream and add extra crushed tomatoes for a tangy twist, like this homemade tomato soup but heartier.
- Sausage Tortellini Soup: Use spicy Italian sausage for a bold, meaty version that’s extra satisfying on a cold day.
- Vegetarian Tortellini Soup: Load it with spinach, mushrooms, and veggie broth for a lighter, plant-based option.
- Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup: Combine everything except the pasta in a slow cooker, simmer 4-5 hours, then add the tortellini 20 minutes before serving.
- Healthy Creamy Tortellini Soup: Swap cream for Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter take that’s still cozy.
Serving Up Cozy: How to Enjoy Your Tortellini Soup
Nothing beats the feeling of sitting down with a hot bowl of creamy tortellini soup on a cold evening. I love serving it with warm crusty bread or a light salad to round out the meal. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that feels a little fancy but takes almost no effort.
For a cozy Italian-inspired spread, pair it with a small side of homemade soup like this comforting potato soup recipe. The creamy texture pairs beautifully with the tomato base of your Italian tortellini soup.
If you’re entertaining, sprinkle each bowl with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil, it instantly looks like something out of a café in Florence.
How to Store and Reheat Your Soup Like a Pro
Got leftovers? Lucky you. This one pot tortellini soup tastes even better the next day. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
When reheating, warm it gently over medium heat, just until hot. If it’s thickened up a bit (which happens as the pasta absorbs broth), add a splash of stock or water to bring it back to that perfect silky texture.
For longer storage, keep the broth and tortellini separate. That way, your cheesy tortellini won’t turn mushy when you reheat it later.
FAQs: Your Tortellini Soup Questions, Answered
Absolutely! Frozen tortellini works perfectly. Just add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time. It’s a great option for quick dinners when you don’t have fresh pasta on hand.
The trick is timing. Add the tortellini near the end of cooking and let it simmer just until tender. If you’re meal prepping or storing leftovers, keep the pasta separate from the broth to maintain that perfect texture.
Definitely! Swap the sausage for extra veggies, mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach work beautifully, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You’ll still get that rich flavor and creamy texture.
For a healthy tortellini soup, use half-and-half or coconut milk instead of heavy cream, and go easy on the cheese. You’ll still get that lovely creaminess with fewer calories.
Yes! This recipe easily becomes a slow cooker tortellini soup. Combine all ingredients except the tortellini and cream, cook on low for about 4-5 hours, then stir in the tortellini and cream during the last 20 minutes. Easy, cozy, and totally hands-off.
Absolutely! This easy soup recipe is super flexible. You can swap or add proteins like shredded rotisserie chicken, crumbled turkey sausage, or even sautéed shrimp for a fresh twist. Each one gives the soup a new flavor personality while keeping that same cozy, homemade soup vibe.
Wrapping It Up, Your Next Cozy Night In
If you’ve made it this far, you’re clearly ready for a bowl of tortellini soup magic. This recipe is the kind of simple comfort that never goes out of style, rich, creamy, and brimming with flavor. Whether you’re cooking it for a weeknight dinner or serving it to guests on a chilly evening, it always brings that “home-cooked” warmth to the table.
What I love most is how forgiving and flexible it is. You can make it a vegetarian tortellini soup, load it up with sausage for something heartier, or even prepare it as a one pot soup when you’re short on time. Every spoonful feels like a little taste of Italy, no matter how you customize it.
So grab your pot, a big spoon, and someone you love, because once you try this recipe, it’s bound to become part of your regular comfort food soup rotation.
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