Save A hearty comforting soup featuring spicy Italian sausage sweet potatoes and cheese tortellini all simmered in an herby creamy broth and finished with fresh spinach for a satisfying meal on chilly evenings.
I first made this soup on a cold evening and immediately loved how the creamy broth and tender tortellini came together for a warming meal.
Ingredients
- Spicy Italian sausage: 12 oz (340 g) crumbled
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
- Italian seasoning: 1 tablespoon
- Paprika: 1 teaspoon (regular or smoked)
- Red pepper flakes: 1/4 teaspoon plus more to taste
- Sweet potatoes: 1 large (about 12 oz / 340 g) peeled and cubed or 2 small sweet potatoes
- Garlic: 5 cloves minced
- Tomato paste: 1 tablespoon
- Fresh thyme leaves: 4 tablespoons or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Fresh spinach: 4 oz (115 g)
- Water: 6 cups
- Three-cheese tortellini: 8 oz (225 g) refrigerated
- Heavy cream: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Heat olive oil in a large high-sided pot over medium heat Add the crumbled sausage and cook stirring frequently until browned and cooked through about 5 7 minutes Drain excess grease
- Step 2:
- Sprinkle cooked sausage with Italian seasoning and paprika Stir well to coat
- Step 3:
- Add cubed sweet potatoes minced garlic red pepper flakes and tomato paste Mix thoroughly to combine
- Step 4:
- Pour in the water Increase heat and bring to a boil stirring to dissolve the tomato paste
- Step 5:
- Once boiling reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are fork-tender
- Step 6:
- Add the tortellini to the soup Cover and cook at a gentle boil for 10 minutes or according to package instructions until pasta is just tender
- Step 7:
- Stir in fresh spinach and cook until just wilted about 1 minute
- Step 8:
- Remove the pot from heat Gently stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated
- Step 9:
- Season to taste with salt if needed and additional red pepper flakes for extra heat Top with fresh thyme before serving
Save This soup often brings my family together on chilly nights especially when served with crusty bread for dipping.
Required Tools
Large high-sided pot with lid Cutting board and knife Wooden spoon or spatula Ladle Measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (tortellini) Milk (tortellini heavy cream) Egg (tortellini possibly sausage) May contain Soy (check sausage and tortellini labels) Sulfites (in sausage) If in doubt double-check all ingredient packaging for allergen information
Nutritional Information
Calories ~410 Total Fat 25 g Carbohydrates 28 g Protein 16 g per serving
Save This delicious creamy sausage tortellini soup is perfect for warming up on cold evenings and can be easily adapted to your taste preferences.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I use mild sausage instead of spicy?
Absolutely, using mild sausage will mellow the heat without sacrificing the rich, savory flavor.
- → Is it possible to substitute tortellini with another pasta?
Yes, small pasta shapes like mini ravioli or ditalini can be used, but cooking times may vary slightly.
- → How can I make this dish vegetarian?
Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based crumbles, and ensure the broth is vegetable-based.
- → What is the best way to store leftovers?
Keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days; add cream fresh when reheating if previously frozen.
- → Can I prepare this in advance and freeze it?
Yes, freeze before adding cream for best texture; thaw and stir in cream when warming up.
- → What herbs complement the flavors best?
Fresh thyme is ideal for its earthy aroma, and adding a pinch of Italian seasoning enhances the overall profile.