Tortellini Sausage Soup

I shared a recipe for this Tuscan Bean Soup last week because this time of year, hearty soups are on rotation in my house weekly. Today I am sharing a Tortellini Sausage Soup, another recipe that is comforting, filling and flavorful. If you like tortellini soups you also might like this Chicken Tortellini Soup recipe or this Creamy Tortellini Soup.

It is Tortellini Sausage Soup is hearty meal that is also comforting, combining savory sausage, tender cheese tortellini, and a flavorful broth that makes it taste like a pasta dish but in soup form.  This is the perfect soup for busy weeknights. I like to serve this soup with a simple Lemon Arugula Salad, Roasted Broccoli and some homemade bread. If comforting soup is your thing you also might like this Pasta e Fagioli Soup, Slow Cooker Turkey Kale Lasagna Soup, Easy Sausage Gnocchi Soup or this Lebanese Lentil Soup.

For exact ingredient amounts and instructions, see the full recipe card below.

• Sausage: I used Italian sausage in this soup and it adds a good amount of flavor! You can use whatever you favorite sausage is. If you like a spicier soup try a hot Italian sausage. 
• Vegetables: I like to load my soups with vegetables. This soup uses onion, carrots, celery and diced tomatoes. You can add whatever you like from zucchini to mushrooms to bell pepper. 
• Tortellini: The tortellini are a nice addition to this soup. I used a cheese-filled tortellini but feel free to use whatever you favorite variety is! 
• Greens: Bulk up your soup and add nutritional value with greens. I added chopped kale but spinach or swiss chard are nice too. 

Ways to Vary this Recipe

• protein: add protein to the soup like tofu, shredded chicken or ground turkey. 
• beans: I like adding beans to this soup. Try white beans or chickpeas. 
• vegetables: add in veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, kale, mushrooms, peas, green beans or broccoli. 
• spice: spice up the soup with crushed red pepper, cayenne red pepper, or a spoonful of Calabrian chili paste. 
• herbs: finish off the soup with herbs like fresh oregano, fresh basil, fresh parsley or fresh thyme. 
• creamy: to make it even creamier try stirring in heavy cream, cream cheese or mascarpone. 

Recipe Tip: Don’t overcook the tortellini or it will become mushy.

How to Make This Tortellini Soup Recipe

Step 1. Brown the Sausage: Start by cooking the sausage until brown. Drain and set aside.

Step 2. Saute the Vegetables: Then sauté the garlic and onion. Add the carrots and celery and sauté until soft. 

Step 3. Add Other Ingredients: Add the remaining ingredients except the kale. Simmer until the tortellini is soft. Add the sausage and kale in and cook until the kale is wilted. 

Step 4. Stir in Cheese: Stir in Parmesan cheese if you like, add crushed red pepper and fresh parsley and enjoy! 

Storage Tips

• Store the leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days. If you know you will have leftovers you can leave the tortellini separate until you are ready to eat the leftovers. This helps prevent the tortellini from getting mushy.
• Yes you can but I suggest not adding the tortellini into the soup until you are ready to eat it. So if you plan to eat half of the soup now and want to freeze half for later only add the tortellini into the half you are eating now. 
• Let the soup cool completely and store the half without the tortellini in the freezer-safe containers. When you are ready to eat the soup defrost it overnight in the fridge. Cook the tortellini and add it into the soup, heat and enjoy!