This scrumptious Tortellini Soup Recipe is loaded with Italian Sausage, tomatoes, fresh cheese tortellini, arugula and a perfect blend of herbs and spices. Fall is here and with it comes all kinds of incredibly delicious soups. I love to serve this family favorite with a garden salad tossed with a light vinaigrette and French baguettes with soft creamy butter.
If your family is anything like mine than soup is the main meal category for most of fall and winter. It is my favorite time of the year and soup warms our mind, body and soul. Of course we eat soup year round. As I always say “Isn’t that what they make air conditioning for? Do you love soup as much as we do? This soup, Cabbage Roll Soup, Meatball Soup, Chicken and Rice Soup and Vegetable Beef Soup are just a few of our many favorites.
How do you make Tortellini Soup?
Start by browning the Italian Sausage in a Dutch Oven or stockpot over medium heat. When it is almost fully browned add the onion and cook until the sausage is done browning and the onion has softened. Then turn the heat down to low and add the garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme and crushed red pepper. If a little more fat is needed add a little more olive oil. Now cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. Next whisk the tomato paste with a little bit of the beef broth to thin it out. Then add the vegetable broth, remaining beef broth, fire roasted tomatoes and thinned out tomato paste. Go ahead and increase the heat to medium and bring it to a low boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Next add the cheese tortellini and let everything simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the tortellinis are cooked to your desired tenderness. Then remove from the heat and stir in the arugula. Finally salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle each bowl with 1-2 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese. If desired garnish with fresh thyme or fresh basil.
Recipe notes and tips for Tortellini Soup
- You can substitute fresh baby spinach for arugula without any changes to the recipe. Remember to remove the large stems.
- Most grocery stores carry refrigerated pasta although you may have to ask where it is in the store. You can always substitute frozen cheese tortellini.
- Try to purchase a good Italian sausage from a local Italian meat market. If it is only available in links simply cut the casings off.
- Omit the meat and use only vegetable broth for a vegetarian tortellini soup.
- This soup is really so quick and easy with a short cooking time that is doable on a weeknight.
- Feel free to substitute different veggies like mushrooms, kale, fresh baby spinach, carrots, or celery.
- Dried herbs work best in soup where their flavors have time to permeate the whole pot. I like to add them right before the liquids and stir for about 1 minute. A tablespoon of Italian seasoning can be substituted for the dried herbs.
- Buy the freshest dried herbs you can get. If they don’t have much smell to them anymore than they have lost their potency and they will not lend much to the recipe. It is time to replace them.
- The red pepper flakes adds a very minuscule amount of heat but if the idea of adding it leaves you apprehensive than omit it.
- To make this a creamy tortellini soup recipe add 3/4 cup heavy cream to the soup as the last step in the recipe over very low heat or no heat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be careful not to overcook the pasta when reheating. Reheat on low on the stovetop or in the microwave at a reduced power.
What to serve with Sausage Tortellini Soup
- crusty French or Italian bread
- Spinach Salad with Warm Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
- garden salad with a light vinaigrette
- Cheese Garlic Bread
- breadsticks
- mozzarella grilled cheese
- Garlic Rosemary Herb Focaccia
- Fruit Salad
- bread bowls
- Cheese Straws
How to cook this soup in a crock pot
Start by browning the sausage. When it is almost fully browned add the onion and cook until the sausage is done browning and the onion has softened. Turn the heat to low and add the garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme and crushed red pepper Cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. Transfer to a crockpot.
In a small bowl whisk the tomato paste with about 1/2 cup beef broth. Add the vegetable broth, remaining beef broth, fire roasted tomatoes and thinned out tomato paste to the crock pot. Cook on low for about 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Increase temperature to high. Then add the tortellini cooking for about 30 minutes or until tender. Add the arugula and cook for about 10 minutes. Finally ladle into bowls and top with 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese.
More soup recipes for you to love!
Tortellini Soup
This hearty Cheese Tortellini Soup combines Italian sausage with cheese tortellini in an easy broth with tomatoes, onions, garlic, arugula and Italian herbs and seasonings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: main meal soup
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground Italian Sausage
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 pinches red pepper flakes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth or low sodium chicken broth
- 10 ounces refrigerated tortellini
- 3 cups arugula (or spinach)
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh thyme (optional)
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Italian Sausage in a Dutch Oven or stockpot over medium heat. When it is almost fully browned add the onion and cook until the sausage is done browning and the onion has softened. Turn the heat to low and add the garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.
- In a small bowl whisk the tomato paste with about 1/2 cup beef broth. Add the vegetable broth, remaining beef broth, fire roasted tomatoes and thinned out tomato paste. Increase the heat to medium and bring it to a low boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Add the cheese tortellini and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the tortellini are cooked to your desired tenderness. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the arugula. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle each bowl with 1-2 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese. If desired garnish with fresh thyme or fresh basil.
Notes
- You can substitute spinach for arugula without any changes to the recipe.
- Most grocery stores carry refrigerated pasta although you may have to ask where it is in the store. You can always substitute frozen cheese tortellini.
- Try to purchase a good Italian sausage from a local Italian meat market. If it is only available in links simply cut the casings off.
- This soup is really so quick and easy that is doable on a weeknight.
- Dried herbs work best in soup where their flavors have time to permeate the whole pot. I like to add them right before the liquids and stir for about 1 minute.
- Buy the freshest dried herbs you can get. If they don’t have much smell to them anymore than they have lost their potency and they will not lend much to the recipe. It is time to replace them.
- The crushed red pepper adds a very minuscule amount of heat but if the idea of adding it leaves you apprehensive than omit it.
Keywords: how to make tortellini soup, sausage tortellini soup, cheese tortellini soup
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J
Do you cut up sausage? Instructions don’t say so but picture looks like you should.
Beth Pierce
It is ground sausage but you can use links. Yes please cut them up.
Lauren Carter
When would you add the tortellini and arugula when using a crockpot?
Beth Pierce
About 30-40 minutes prior to serving.
Penny
Can I skip thr meat in this ? It sounds delicious
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Yes of course. It will still be delicious!
Kathryn
Can dry tortellini be substituted for the refrigerated type? I happen to have some on hand.
Thanks!
Kathryn
Beth Pierce
Yes it can.
Joann
Could you use ground beef or ground turkey instead of sausage? Can the greens be omitted and maybe use green beans or something like that?
Beth Pierce
Sure. Green beans would be great in the soup. Cut in small pieces so you get a little bit in each spoonful.
Jacque
Very good! Even the picky eater really liked it.
★★★★★
Karen Laliberte
I can’t even describe how delicious this was!!! I doubled the recipe and shared with family near and far (50 miles), I made this the night before I was going to go visit them. The only thing I did different was I used one extra can of tomatoes (10oz Rotel mild.) and I switched the broths and used more beef and less vegetable, 8 cups of beef broth and 4 cups of vegetable broth (because I double the recipe). I only could find mini tortellini they worked but I think the regular ones would have given it more cheese flavor. I did not use the crushed red pepper because I don’t like my food spicy.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Karen! So glad that you liked it and thanks for all the tips!
asma khalid
My first time making it, and absolutely loved it. I am a fan of Italian cooking and those tortellini were just little pockets of flavor <3
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that you like the soup!
Joyce Hitt
Can I substitute cabbage instead of arugula or spinach or kale
Beth Pierce
Yes you can! Enjoy!!
Rachell Schroader
I make this soup at least once a month!! I add more red peppers, sliced zucchini and mushrooms. I’ve also added a cup of heavy cream at the end a time or two. My family loves this soup!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Rachell! So glad that you like the soup! Thanks for all the great tips.
Nikki
I only have tomatoes with green chilies! Do you think that would work?
Beth Pierce
Yes I think that would be fine!
Coco
Amazingly good!!I used beyond meat Italian sausage and vegan beef broth. The flavors of this soup are perfect and truly taste restaurant quality. My entire family loved it and it reheats perfectly. Best of all it is quick and super easy to make. Thank you!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine Coco. So glad that you and your family liked it! I wish I had the ingredients here to make it today.
Arlene
Pretty cool I’ve made something like this before but this looks more interesting and delicious I’m going to buy the ingredients tomorrow and make it a day ahead and have it for the next day can’t wait to try it thank you very much for the recipe
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome! I sure hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Danielle
Do you think this soup would freeze well? I’d like to make it ahead of time and freeze it for the busy holiday season.
Beth Pierce
Yes but I would hold back on the tortellini and arugula (or spinach) and add them when reheating.
Ashlyn
Used beyond meat Italian sausage as a vegetarian substitute and it worked great! Also instead of beef broth, used all vegetable broth. Highly recommend!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Ashlyn! So glad that you liked it and were able to adapt it to your recipe.
Jean Hadlock
An excellent soup! A superb use of a spicy Italian javelina sausage our butcher made up after my husband’s annual hunt in Arizona. My family dislikes the texture of arugula and spinach in hot soups, so switched them out for chopped kale to still provide a vegetable. The soup is now a regular meal item during the winter months.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jean! So glad that you and your family like it.
Susan Habeeb
I love this soup! My husband loves this soup! I’ve shared the recipe with my sisters and they and their families love this soup! It is one of my favorites and will be one of my go to soups especially when I want to impress company. ❤️❤️❤️
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Susan! So glad that you enjoy it!!
Pamela L Curry
This soup is absolutely delicious! This is my 2nd time making it and my daughter, who is not a normally a fan of soup, is waiting for it to be finished. Great recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Pamela! I sure hope you enjoy it!!
Lisa Griffith
This my second time making this. This soup is absolutely delicious. I make exactly as written. So easy to throw together after a long day at work. Thanks so much for this recipe. It called to me on this cold, rainy winter day!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Lisa! So happy that you like it! I know it is so cold here too! We had soup yesterday!