I absolutely love this Easy Sausage Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe because it combines hearty flavors with wholesome ingredients in a way that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Whether you’re cozying up on a chilly evening or need a make-ahead dinner to wow the family, this recipe fits the bill perfectly. You’ll find it’s both comforting and delightfully fresh thanks to the spinach and tomatoes working together with creamy tortellini.
When I first tried this soup, I was looking for something simple but satisfying, and this recipe delivered in spades. The chicken sausage adds just the right amount of savory punch without overpowering, and the spices bring in a subtle depth that had me going back for seconds. If you want an easy, flavorful dinner idea that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen, I think you’ll really enjoy this Easy Sausage Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe as much as I do!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hearty and Nourishing: Packed with sausage, beans, and tortellini, it fills you up without feeling heavy.
- Flavor-Packed Without Fuss: The blend of seasonings and slow simmering really amp up the taste with minimal effort.
- Flexible and Family-Friendly: Great for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or comforting lunches everyone will enjoy.
- Quick to Prep, Worth the Wait: While it simmers low and slow, the hands-on time is short and straightforward.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Easy Sausage Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe work beautifully together to create layers of savory, creamy, and fresh flavors. Using canned tomatoes and broth keeps it simple, while fresh spinach and tortellini bring that homemade feel.
- Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin for better flavor when sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Tomato Sauce: Adds a smooth tomato base that melds the soup together.
- Chicken Broth: The main liquid that builds depth without overpowering your ingredients.
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes: I love these because they add a subtle smoky sweetness.
- White Cannellini Beans: They bring creaminess and protein, balancing the sausage nicely.
- Tortellini: Cheese or spinach-filled — either works great and adds comforting texture.
- Chicken Sausage Links: Sliced thin for even cooking and flavorful bites throughout the soup.
- Yellow Onion: Diced finely to soften and sweeten during the initial saute.
- Garlic Cloves: Minced fresh garlic is key for that aromatic punch.
- Spinach: Adds freshness and bright color, toss it in last to keep it vibrant.
- Basil (dried or fresh): A pinch here and there really lifts the whole soup.
- Salt and Spices: Including cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and a special Chile Con Carne seasoning that brings warmth and complexity.
- Arrowroot Powder: Mixed with water to thicken gently without clouding the broth.
- Half & Half: Adds a creamy richness that balances the tomato acidity.
Variations
One of the things I really enjoy about this Easy Sausage Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe is how easily it adapts to what you have on hand or your taste preferences. Feel free to swap out or add ingredients to make it your own—cooking should be fun and flexible!
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the sausage and add more beans or chopped mushrooms for a hearty, meat-free option—I’ve done this and found the flavor still shines with extra seasoning.
- Spice it Up: If you like heat, toss in some crushed red pepper flakes or use a spicy sausage; my family goes crazy for that extra kick!
- Dairy-Free: Substitute the half & half with coconut milk or a creamy plant-based milk to keep it dairy-free without losing creaminess.
- Seasonal Greens: Swap spinach for kale, swiss chard, or even arugula for a different texture and flavor profile depending on what’s fresh.
How to Make Easy Sausage Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics and Sausage
Start by heating olive oil in a large 6-quart soup pot over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, add your diced yellow onion and minced garlic. Let them cook together until they soften and start to turn golden—about 3 to 4 minutes. This builds a flavorful base, so don’t rush it!
Next, add your sliced chicken sausage rings right to the pot. Cooking them in the onion and garlic infuses great flavor. Sprinkle in the cumin, basil, and salt on top of the sausage, stirring to evenly coat. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until everything smells amazing and the sausage starts to brown slightly.
Step 2: Build the Soup Base
Pour in the tomato sauce and fire-roasted tomatoes, then add the chicken broth along with the remaining dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and that special Chile Con Carne seasoning. If you don’t have Chile Con Carne seasoning, you can mix paprika, oregano, and chili powder for a similar effect. Give everything a good stir to combine all those rich flavors.
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cover it. This is where the magic happens — letting it simmer for at least one hour deepens the flavors beautifully. If you can spare extra time, simmering for 2 to 3 hours takes it to another level of deliciousness.
Step 3: Add Tortellini and Finish the Soup
Once your soup has simmered to develop a rich broth, stir in the tortellini and bring it back to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and let the tortellini cook for about 5 minutes — just until tender but still holding shape.
Lower the heat to low, then add the half & half, fresh baby spinach (breaking it up as you add), and the drained cannellini beans. To thicken the soup slightly, mix the arrowroot powder with warm water in a small bowl until smooth, then slowly stir this mixture into the soup over medium heat. Keep stirring in a figure-eight motion until the soup thickens just enough—not boiling—about 1 to 2 minutes. Finally, let it simmer gently on low to marry all those lovely flavors before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Easy Sausage Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe
- Don’t Rush the Simmer: The longer you let the soup sit low and slow, the better the flavors meld — I usually let it go for at least 90 minutes when I have time.
- Season Gradually: I add salt and spices in stages—this way you avoid over-seasoning and can adjust as it cooks.
- Use a Good Arrowroot Substitute: Arrowroot makes the perfect thickener without clouding the broth—cornstarch works but can sometimes make the soup less clear.
- Add Spinach Last: Toss it in just before serving to keep it vibrant and prevent it from getting mushy.
How to Serve Easy Sausage Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish my bowl with a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil and a generous grating of Parmesan cheese — it adds freshness and salty richness that tie everything together. A tiny drizzle of good olive oil on top just before serving never hurts, either!
Side Dishes
Crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette are my go-to companions for this soup. They soak up the broth beautifully and make the meal feel cozy and complete. For a lighter side, a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette balances the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special family dinner or guests, I like to serve portions in rustic mugs or smaller soup crocks with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and Parmesan on top. You can also ladle it into hollowed-out bread bowls for a fun, rustic presentation that everyone loves. It’s an easy way to impress without extra work!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After dinner, I let leftovers cool to room temperature, then store them in airtight containers in the fridge. This soup reheats wonderfully and actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have melded more.
Freezing
I’ve successfully frozen this soup in individual portions. Just skip adding the half & half before freezing, and add it when reheating for best results. The texture of tortellini may soften a bit after freezing, but the flavor remains fantastic.
Reheating
To reheat, I warm the soup gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add fresh half & half and spinach if you omitted it before freezing, giving it a minute or two to heat through. Avoid boiling or high heat to keep the tortellini tender.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of sausage in this soup?
Absolutely! While chicken sausage is lighter and works beautifully here, you can substitute with Italian sausage, turkey sausage, or even plant-based sausage for a vegetarian twist. Just be mindful of the fat content since that can affect the cooking time and flavor balance.
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Is it possible to make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! You can brown the sausage and sauté the onions and garlic on the stove first, then transfer everything into your slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients except the spinach and half & half, cook on low for 4–6 hours, add spinach and half & half in the last 15 minutes of cooking to keep them fresh.
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Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Definitely. Dried herbs like basil work great in this soup, especially since it simmers for a while allowing the flavors to develop. I usually use dried basil in the cooking process and then sprinkle fresh basil on top at serving time for that bright, fresh flavor.
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How do I prevent the tortellini from getting mushy?
Make sure to add the tortellini later in the cooking process — just about 5 minutes before you’re ready to serve. Cooking it too long breaks down the pasta and leads to mushy texture, so a quick simmer right before serving is key.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Sausage Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe has become a true staple in my kitchen because it’s a perfect mix of comforting, nutritious, and downright tasty. I love sharing it with friends and family because it’s so easy to make yet impressively delicious. Give it a try—you might find it becoming one of your favorite go-to soups, especially when you want something satisfying without all the fuss.
PrintEasy Sausage Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian Fusion
Description
A hearty and flavorful Easy Sausage Spinach Tortellini Soup combining savory chicken sausage, tender tortellini, spinach, and a rich blend of seasonings simmered in a tomato-based broth, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
- 2 14.5 oz cans of Fire Roasted tomatoes
- 1 48 oz chicken broth
- 1 8 oz chicken broth
- 1 15 oz can White Cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp basil
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Chile Con Carne Seasoning (or substitute 1/4 tsp paprika, oregano, chili powder)
Main Ingredients
- 2 8 oz packages of tortellini (cheese or spinach preferred)
- 8 chicken sausage links, cut into 1/8 inch thick rings
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup Half & Half
Thickening Agent
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
- 2 tbsp warm water
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics and sausage: In a 6-quart or larger soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned. Add sliced chicken sausages and cook for a few minutes. Sprinkle 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp basil, and 1 tsp salt over the sausages, stirring to combine. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Stir in tomato sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, 1/2 tsp basil, 1 tsp salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and Chile Con Carne seasoning. Mix everything thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for at least 1 hour, preferably 2-3 hours to develop deep flavors.
- Cook tortellini: Add tortellini to the pot and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 5 minutes until tortellini is tender.
- Add final ingredients: Lower heat to low. Stir in half & half, broken apart spinach leaves, and drained cannellini beans.
- Thicken the soup: In a small glass dish, mix arrowroot powder with warm water until smooth. Slowly stir the arrowroot mixture into the soup while increasing heat to medium (do not boil). Use a figure-8 motion to blend evenly until the soup thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
- Simmer and serve: Reduce heat to low and keep simmering until ready to serve. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese or your preferred cheese topping.
Notes
- For the Chile Con Carne seasoning substitute, use a mix of paprika, oregano, and chili powder.
- Simmering for longer (up to 3 hours) will enhance the flavor deeply.
- Choose cheese or spinach tortellini based on preference; both work well.
- Adjust salt levels depending on broth sodium content.
- Arrowroot powder is used as a gluten-free thickener; cornstarch can be substituted if needed.
- Garnish with fresh basil and grated cheese for added fragrance and taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
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