Description

Warm, comforting, and hearty—this Creamy Tortellini Soup features savory Italian sausage, tender three-cheese tortellini, and nourishing kale, all immersed in a rich, creamy broth with a hint of tomato and Parmesan depth. It’s the ultimate cozy, one-pot meal for chilly nights or when you crave a bowl of pure comfort.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb (about 450 g) Italian sausage (casing removed)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium sweet onion, diced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups (960 ml) chicken stock
1 (8‑oz / ~225 g) can tomato sauce
1 (3‑inch / ~7.5 cm) Parmesan rind, optional (for extra depth)
1 (9‑oz / ~255 g) package refrigerated three‑cheese tortellini
½ bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
⅓ cup (80 ml) heavy cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Instructions

Heat the Oil & Brown Sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage (remove from casings) and cook, breaking it into pieces, until browned and cooked through (about 5–6 minutes).
Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and diced onion; season with Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Sauté until the onion is softened and translucent (about 3–4 minutes).
Make a Roux Base: Sprinkle in the flour and stir for about 1 minute to cook the raw taste out.
Add Liquids & Parmesan Rind: Gradually whisk in the chicken stock and tomato sauce until smooth. If using, add the Parmesan rind for extra umami richness.
Simmer: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8–10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly.
Cook Tortellini & Kale: Stir in the tortellini and chopped kale, and simmer for another 5–7 minutes—until the tortellini is tender and kale is wilted.
Finish with Cream & Basil: Remove from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and chopped fresh basil. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper as needed. Discard the Parmesan rind before serving.

Serve Warm: Ladle into bowls and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Make-Ahead Tip: This soup reheats beautifully—just add extra broth when reheating if needed as tortellini may absorb liquid. You can also freeze it without cream; add cream when reheating.

Flavor Enhancements: Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness, or top with grated Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (chopping and prep)
Cook Time: Approximately 25–30 minutes (including simmering and tortellini cooking)
Category: Soup / One-Pot Meal
Method: Sautéing + Simmering
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: creamy tortellini soup, sausage tortellini soup, cheesy tortellini soup, hearty soup, weeknight dinner