Description
A comforting and creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup featuring Italian sausage, tender kale, and cheese-filled tortellini in a flavorful broth enriched with herbs and a touch of heat. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal, this soup combines savory spices and creamy textures for a satisfying experience.
Ingredients
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups kale, chopped
Dry Ingredients & Spices
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 pinch cayenne (optional)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
Liquids & Pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups tortellini (just under 10 ounces; refrigerated or frozen)
Instructions
- Prepare the sausage and onions: Remove casings from sausage if in links. In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the sausage with the diced onion until the sausage is fully cooked and the onions are softened, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess grease. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add flour to thicken: Sprinkle the flour over the sausage mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to eliminate the raw flour taste and begin thickening the base.
- Incorporate the spices: Stir in dried basil, oregano, optional cayenne, hot sauce, mustard powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, blending well to combine all flavors.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, scrapping the bottom of the pot with a silicone spatula to incorporate any browned bits. Gradually stir in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to achieve a gentle simmer.
- Cook kale and tortellini: Add the chopped kale and tortellini to the simmering soup. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the tortellini is tender and kale is wilted. If tortellini has a longer cooking requirement, add it first and the kale in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Season and serve: Taste the soup and add salt starting with ¼ teaspoon, adjusting to personal preference. Transfer the soup into serving bowls and enjoy, optionally paired with garlic bread with cheese.
Notes
- The mustard powder and hot sauce subtly enhance the soup's depth of flavor without overpowering it.
- Removing sausage casings ensures better integration and crumbling during cooking.
- Adjust cayenne and red pepper flakes to control the spiciness according to preference.
- Using refrigerated or frozen tortellini works well; adjust cooking time if needed.
- Pair the soup with garlic bread with cheese for a delicious accompaniment.