Name: Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground Italian sausage, hot or mild; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 Tablespoons flour; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon oregano; 1 pinch cayenne (optional); 1 teaspoon hot sauce; ½ teaspoon mustard powder; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 1 pinch red pepper flakes; 1 cup heavy cream; 5 cups chicken broth; 2 cups kale, chopped; 2 cups tortellini (just under 10 oz.), refrigerated or frozen; Salt, to taste

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 19 reviews

If there’s one soup that delivers full-on comfort and gets raves at the dinner table, it’s got to be Sausage Tortellini Soup. Creamy, hearty, and dreamy, this bowlful of goodness brings together juicy sausage, pillowy cheese tortellini, vibrant greens, and just the right cozy seasonings. Even better? It’s a true 30-minute meal, making it your go-to for busy weeknights or those lazy weekends when you’re craving something extra special but don’t want to fuss around for hours. Let’s dive in and create a soup that turns any night into soup night!

Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Sausage Tortellini Soup lies in a handful of straightforward ingredients, each one playing a unique role. From colorful veggies to the creamy finish, every element adds its touch—making this soup so much more than the sum of its parts. Here’s what you’ll need and why each ingredient matters.

Ground Italian Sausage (1 pound): The main event! Choose hot or mild depending on your heat preference; sausage brings all the deep flavor and heartiness.
Yellow Onion, diced (1 small): Adds sweetness and depth, blending right into the savory broth.
Garlic, minced (3 cloves): For that irresistible aroma and zingy background flavor.
Flour (3 Tablespoons): Thickens the soup beautifully, resulting in a satisfyingly creamy texture.
Dried Basil (1 teaspoon): Herbaceous notes that boost the Italian-inspired flavor.
Oregano (½ teaspoon): Classic for a subtle earthiness which balances the creaminess.
Cayenne (a pinch, optional): Just a hint of heat—skip or double up, per your taste.
Hot Sauce (1 teaspoon): Adds lively depth. Trust, it won’t overpower!
Mustard Powder (½ teaspoon): Quiet flavor enhancer, don’t skip—even if it sounds odd!
Pepper (¼ teaspoon): For a necessary touch of spiciness.
Red Pepper Flakes (a pinch): Another optional layer of gentle heat if you enjoy a kick.
Heavy Cream (1 cup): The indulgent, velvety element that brings it all together.
Chicken Broth (5 cups): The savory soup base—choose low-sodium and adjust salt as needed.
Kale, chopped (2 cups): For color, texture, and a little green goodness. Sub spinach if you like!
Tortellini, just under 10 oz. (2 cups, refrigerated or frozen): Little pockets of cheese that turn this into a full meal.
Salt, to taste: Adjust at the end so all flavors can shine.

How to Make Sausage Tortellini Soup

Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Onion

Start by removing sausage casings if you’re using links. In a big soup pot, cook and crumble the sausage and diced onion together over medium-high heat. This takes about 8-10 minutes, until the sausage is cooked through and the onions are tender and fragrant. Don’t forget to drain off excess grease—this keeps your Sausage Tortellini Soup from feeling heavy.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Cook the Flour

Once your kitchen smells amazing, toss in the minced garlic and sauté for just a minute. Now sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly for another 1–2 minutes. This quick step cooks out the raw flour taste and gives a luscious body to your final soup.

Step 3: Layer in the Spices

Sprinkle in the dried basil, oregano, cayenne (if using), hot sauce, mustard powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir them in well so their aromas and flavors meld into the sausage mixture, creating a base that’s savory, herby, and just a touch zippy.

Step 4: Add Broth and Cream

Slowly pour in the chicken broth, and use a spatula or spoon to scrape up any browned bits—those are pure flavor! Gently stir in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a friendly simmer. All these flavors will start to get acquainted at this point.

Step 5: Simmer with Kale and Tortellini

Add the chopped kale and tortellini—almost there! Simmer for 3–5 minutes. If your tortellini takes longer to cook (especially if frozen), start with them first, adding kale in the last few minutes so it stays bright and just-tender. Taste the soup and add salt a little at a time until it tastes perfect.

Step 6: Serve It Up

Ladle your Sausage Tortellini Soup into bowls, grab a piece of garlicky bread, and tuck in! Each spoonful is creamy, savory, and filled with pops of tortellini, sausage, and green goodness—pure comfort.

How to Serve Sausage Tortellini Soup

Garnishes

Top each bowl with a generous dusting of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a handful of torn basil or crunchy croutons for texture, or even a few extra red pepper flakes if you like a little extra heat. These simple garnishes bring a bit of sparkle and additional flavor to every bowl of Sausage Tortellini Soup.

Side Dishes

Nothing complements a creamy, hearty soup quite like buttery garlic bread, a classic Caesar salad, or a big chunk of crusty sourdough. Pair your Sausage Tortellini Soup with any of these, and you’ll have a meal that feels restaurant-worthy—perfect for both casual nights and special gatherings alike.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to get a bit playful, serve Sausage Tortellini Soup in bread bowls or pair it with little bowls of toppings so everyone can customize their bowl. Or try ladling it over gently toasted slices of baguette for a rustic, bistro-style twist. However you serve it, your guests will be coming back for more.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer any leftover Sausage Tortellini Soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Just know the tortellini will soak up some broth as it sits, making each bite even more flavor-packed.

Freezing

If you want to freeze your Sausage Tortellini Soup, do it before adding the tortellini for best results—this keeps the pasta from getting mushy. Simply cool the soup base, freeze in zip-top bags or containers (leaving a bit of space for expansion), and add fresh or cooked tortellini when you reheat later on.

Reheating

To reheat, warm gently over medium heat on the stove, stirring now and then. If the soup got a bit thick, just splash in extra broth or cream. If you froze the base, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before stirring in tortellini and kale.

FAQs

Can I use spinach instead of kale in Sausage Tortellini Soup?

Absolutely! Spinach is a fantastic substitute, and it will cook even quicker—just stir it in during the last 30 seconds of simmering, giving it just enough time to wilt beautifully.

Which type of sausage works best for this soup?

Both hot and mild Italian sausage shine in Sausage Tortellini Soup, so choose whichever matches your heat preference. Pork sausage gives the richest flavor, but turkey sausage makes a tasty, lighter variation.

How can I make this soup spicier or milder?

Adjust the kick by playing with the amount of hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and cayenne. To dial it down, simply use less or skip those spices entirely; for more heat, add a touch extra or go for hot Italian sausage.

Is it possible to make Sausage Tortellini Soup gluten-free?

Yes, you can! Use your favorite gluten-free tortellini and swap the flour for a gluten-free thickener like cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend. Double-check your sausage and broth labels for hidden sources of gluten too.

Can I make Sausage Tortellini Soup in a slow cooker?

You sure can. Brown your sausage and onions on the stove first, whisk in the flour, then transfer to your slow cooker with everything except the cream, tortellini, and greens. Cook, then add cream and tortellini at the end for a velvety, fuss-free dinner.

Final Thoughts

When you need a creamy, crowd-pleasing meal that comes together quickly, Sausage Tortellini Soup is impossible to beat. It’s simple yet soul-satisfying, with every spoonful delivering big flavor and plenty of cozy vibes. Give this recipe a try—you might just find it becomes your new soup night tradition!