Sausage tortellini soup is the ultimate comfort food — a creamy, hearty one-pot meal that brings warmth to any chilly evening. Loaded with savory Italian sausage, tender cheese tortellini, sweet potatoes, and spinach, this soup offers bold flavor and a velvety finish in just 40 minutes. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal prep favorite, this creamy soup checks all the boxes. Serve it with crusty bread or a fresh salad, and you’ve got a complete dinner that feels like a hug in a bowl.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One pot = less cleanup
- Ready in 40 minutes
- Creamy and flavorful
- Family-friendly and filling
- Great for meal prep or leftovers
This is the kind of soup you’ll crave again and again once the temperature drops — and maybe even when it doesn’t!
Ingredients
- 12 oz Italian sausage (spicy or mild)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked or regular paprika
- 1 large sweet potato (peeled and cubed)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 6 cups water (or chicken broth if preferred)
- 8 oz three-cheese tortellini (refrigerated)
- 4 oz fresh spinach
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp fresh thyme
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the sausage
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add crumbled sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess grease. Add Italian seasoning and paprika. - Add vegetables and flavor base
Stir in cubed sweet potatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring to coat. - Simmer
Pour in water or broth. Stir until tomato paste dissolves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. - Cook the tortellini
Add tortellini directly to the simmering soup. Cover and cook for 8–10 minutes (or according to package instructions). - Add spinach and cream
Stir in fresh spinach and let it wilt. Remove soup from heat and gently mix in the heavy cream. - Season and serve
Taste and add salt if needed. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme before serving.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Calories: ~430 per serving
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 3g
- Cholesterol: 82mg
- Sodium: 603mg
Nutrition will vary based on tortellini and sausage used.
Tips & Variations
- Use broth for deeper flavor: Chicken or vegetable broth can replace water if you want a richer base.
- Make it vegetarian: Use veggie sausage and plant-based tortellini. Substitute cream with oat or coconut cream.
- Add more greens: Kale or chard are great swaps for spinach.
- No sweet potato? Use carrots, butternut squash, or regular potatoes.
- Spice it up: Add extra red pepper flakes or hot Italian sausage.
Sausage Tortellini Soup
Equipment
- – Large soup pot
- – Cutting board
- – Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- – 12 oz Italian sausage spicy or mild
- – 1 tbsp olive oil
- – 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- – 1 tsp smoked or regular paprika
- – 1 large sweet potato peeled and cubed
- – 5 cloves garlic minced
- – ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- – 1 tbsp tomato paste
- – 6 cups water or chicken broth
- – 8 oz three-cheese tortellini refrigerated
- – 4 oz fresh spinach
- – ½ cup heavy cream
- – 4 tbsp fresh thyme
- – Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pot. Add sausage, cook until browned. Drain grease.
- Add sweet potatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste.
- Pour in water or broth. Simmer covered for 15 minutes.
- Add tortellini. Cook covered for 8–10 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and remove from heat. Mix in cream.
- Season with salt and top with fresh thyme.
Notes
– Swap sweet potato with carrots or squash
– Stir cream in off the heat to prevent curdling
FAQs
Can I use frozen tortellini?
Yes, just add 2–3 extra minutes of cook time.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Absolutely. Prepare the soup base (without tortellini and cream), store it, then add tortellini and cream before serving.
What if the cream separates when reheated?
No worries — stir gently as it warms and it’ll return to its smooth consistency.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, but freeze without the tortellini and cream for best texture. Add those fresh when reheating.
What kind of sausage works best?
Spicy Italian sausage adds bold flavor, but turkey or mild sausage works just as well.
Conclusion
This sausage tortellini soup is everything you want in a cozy meal — creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re curled up on the couch or hosting a casual dinner, it’s a simple yet satisfying recipe you’ll want to make on repeat. One bowl, endless comfort.