If you’re searching for a quick, cozy, and flavor-packed dinner idea, look no further than this Tortellini Soup. This one-pot wonder is brimming with tender cheese-filled tortellini, colorful vegetables, and a savory broth that warms you from the inside out. 🌿
It’s simple enough for weeknights but satisfying enough for weekend comfort — and it’s ready in under 30 minutes. With options to customize it with sausage, chicken, or cream, this soup can be as light or as indulgent as you like. Perfect for dipping with crusty bread and savoring slowly. 🥖✨
Why You’ll Love This Tortellini Soup 💡
✅ Quick and Easy – Just 30 minutes from start to slurp
✅ One Pot = Fewer Dishes – Minimal cleanup
✅ Rich and Hearty – Cheesy pasta + broth = bliss 🧀
✅ Customizable – Add sausage, chicken, or make it creamy
✅ Comfort Food Favorite – The whole family will love it
Ingredients You’ll Need 🛒
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – Adds richness and helps veggies sauté
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion – Builds the aromatic base 🧅
- 3 medium carrots, chopped – Naturally sweet and colorful 🥕
- 3 cloves garlic, minced – Adds warmth and depth 🧄
- 5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth) – Flavorful soup base
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes – Brings acidity and brightness 🍅
- 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning – Adds classic herb flavor 🌿
- ½ teaspoon salt – Adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper – For a mild kick
- 9–10 oz fresh cheese tortellini – The star of the show! 🧀
- 4 cups loosely packed chopped kale or spinach – Adds freshness and nutrients 🥬
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for topping (optional but amazing)
✨ Optional Add-ins:
– Cooked Italian sausage or shredded chicken
– ½ cup heavy cream for a rich, silky texture
– Red pepper flakes for heat
– Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
How to Make Tortellini Soup 🧑🍳
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and carrots. Cook 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until softened and fragrant.
Step 2: Add Garlic & Seasonings
Stir in the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds, until just golden. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Build the Broth
Pour in the broth and diced tomatoes (with juices). Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
Step 4: Simmer the Soup
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until carrots are fork-tender.
Step 5: Add Tortellini & Greens
Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions — usually 5–7 minutes. Add kale or spinach during the final minute so it softens but stays vibrant.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top with freshly grated Parmesan if desired and serve with warm bread. 🥣🧀🥖
Flavor Variations 💡
- Creamy Version: Stir in ½ cup heavy cream when adding greens for a richer feel
- Meaty Version: Brown 1 lb Italian sausage before the onion, then follow the recipe as written
- Chicken Twist: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken with the tortellini
- Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper or a dash of hot sauce 🌶️
Serving Suggestions 🍽️
- With garlic bread or focaccia
- Alongside a crisp salad for contrast 🥗
- Topped with pesto or a swirl of cream for extra flair
- As a hearty lunch or light dinner with wine 🍷
Storage & Reheating 🧊
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days
- Freezer: Best without tortellini — freeze broth and veggies separately
- Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over low heat. If pasta has absorbed too much liquid, add broth to thin
FAQs About Tortellini Soup ❓
Q: Can I use frozen tortellini?
A: Yes! No need to thaw — just add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
Q: Can I use other greens?
A: Definitely. Spinach, Swiss chard, or even arugula work well.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Use dairy-free tortellini and skip the cheese for a vegan-friendly soup.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Absolutely! Use a large pot and adjust seasonings to taste.
Final Thoughts 🥣💬
This Tortellini Soup is the kind of recipe that turns ordinary nights into something a little more special. It’s warm, rich, and wonderfully cozy — with cheesy tortellini, tender veggies, and a flavorful broth that brings everything together. Whether you keep it light or go all in with cream or sausage, it’s always satisfying. 💛
It’s quick enough for busy weeknights but comforting enough to be your go-to on chilly days or lazy weekends. And with its endless variations, it never gets old — it’s the kind of soup you’ll want to make again and again.
So grab a bowl, sprinkle on that Parmesan, and dip in with a slice of crusty bread — you’ve got a meal that hits all the right notes. Simple. Delicious. Soul-warming. 🧄🍅🥬🧀
Short version
Tortellini Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 3 medium carrots chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 5 cups low sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 9-10 ounces fresh cheese tortellini
- 4 cups loosely packed chopped fresh kale or chopped fresh spinach
- grated Parmesan cheese optional for serving
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and sliced carrots. Cook them together, stirring frequently, for about 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to soften and become fragrant. This forms the flavorful base of your soup.
- Add the minced garlic and continue cooking for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly so the garlic doesn’t burn. This step enhances the overall aroma and gives the soup a rich, savory depth.
- Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth along with the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well to combine and allow the flavors to meld.
- Increase the heat and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the carrots are nearly tender when pierced with a fork.
- Stir in the cheese tortellini, cover the pot again, and cook them according to the package directions, usually about 5 to 7 minutes. When there’s about 1 minute of cooking time left, stir in the chopped kale so it softens just enough without losing its bright color.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if you like. Serve hot with crusty bread for a cozy, satisfying meal.
Notes
For a hearty Sausage Tortellini Soup, start by browning 1 pound of Italian sausage in the pot before adding any vegetables. Be sure to remove the sausage from its casings and crumble it as it cooks. Once the sausage is fully browned, add the chopped onions and carrots, and continue with the rest of the recipe as usual. The sausage brings a bold, savory flavor that makes this version especially satisfying.
To make a Creamy Tortellini Soup, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream at the same time you add the kale. This small addition gives the broth a silky texture and a rich flavor, transforming the soup into a more indulgent version that’s perfect for colder days or when you want something extra comforting.
