Sausage Tortellini Soup
A hearty sausage tortellini soup packed with Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian sausage ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped ⓘ
- 5 c. beef broth ⓘ
- 1 c. water ⓘ
- 1/2 c. dry red wine ⓘ
- 2 c. chopped peeled tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 c. thinly sliced carrots ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. basil ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 8 oz. tomato sauce ⓘ
- 2 small zucchini, sliced ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. parsley ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, diced ⓘ
- 1 bag frozen tortellini ⓘ
- cheese for sprinkling ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook Italian sausage in a large skillet until browned; add chopped onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- In a large saucepan, combine beef broth, water, red wine, chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced green pepper, basil, and oregano.
- Add the cooked sausage mixture to the saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Add sliced carrots and zucchini to the soup and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Before serving, bring the soup to a boil again and add the tortellini.
- Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until tortellini are tender.
- Serve hot, sprinkled with cheese and chopped parsley.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using spicy Italian sausage or adding a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you don't have dry red wine, a splash of balsamic vinegar can work as a substitute. Feel free to swap out vegetables based on what you have on hand; spinach or kale can add a nice touch. For a thicker soup, you can puree a portion of it before adding the tortellini.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Italian recipes like Nonna Zelenda's Lasagna for a comforting dinner. Sprinkle additional cheese on top just before serving for an extra touch of richness. A drizzle of olive oil can also enhance the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much. This soup also freezes well; just be sure to leave out the tortellini, as they can become mushy when frozen.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sausage Tortellini Soup contains roughly 1118 calories, with 40g protein, 171g carbohydrates, and 40g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (188% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (129% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1591mg per serving (69% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh tortellini instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh tortellini can be used in this recipe. Just reduce the cooking time to 3-5 minutes once added to the boiling soup, as fresh varieties cook faster than frozen ones.
What can I substitute for beef broth?
If you prefer, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth as a substitute for beef broth. Each will impart a slightly different flavor, but both will work well in this recipe.
Can I make this soup in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the soup a day ahead of time, but it's best to add the tortellini just before serving to ensure they remain tender. Reheat the soup gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth or water as needed.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).