Tortellini Sausage Soup with Spinach
A flavorful, cheesy tortellini soup packed with Italian sausage and fresh spinach, perfect for cozy family dinners. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken broth, cheese tortellini, fresh spinach, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 9 oz cheese tortellini
- 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 12 oz crumbled Italian sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced onion, 1 diced carrot, 1 diced celery stalk, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 6 cups chicken broth, then bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Step 4: Add 9 oz cheese tortellini to the simmering broth and cook for 7 minutes until tortellini float and are tender.
- Step 5: Stir in 4 cups chopped fresh spinach, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes until spinach wilts.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tortellini Sausage Soup with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Tortellini Sausage Soup with Spinach?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tortellini Sausage Soup with Spinach?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Tortellini Sausage Soup with Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Tortellini Sausage Soup with Spinach?
Italian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
