Easy Tortellini Soup Chicken Broth (Print View)

Creamy soup with cheese tortellini, vegetables, and savory broth ready in 40 minutes.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
02 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Broth & Dairy

06 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
07 - 1 cup heavy cream

→ Pasta

08 - 18 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
10 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil, then sauté onions, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
04 - Add cheese tortellini and simmer according to package instructions, usually 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Lower the heat, add heavy cream, and simmer for 3 minutes.
06 - Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout, yet tastes like comfort in a bowl.
  • The cream transforms simple broth into something luxurious without requiring fancy techniques.
  • You can throw in leftover vegetables or proteins and it somehow gets better, not worse.
02 -
  • Never add the cream when the broth is at a rolling boil, or it can separate and look curdled—gentle heat is non-negotiable.
  • Quality tortellini makes a visible difference here because they're the star, not a supporting player, so buy the refrigerated ones if you can.
  • Taste as you go because the broth, cream, and tortellini all contain salt already, and over-salting is easier to do than you'd think.
03 -
  • If you want extra richness, stir in a handful of shredded cooked chicken or crumbled sausage once the tortellini is cooked—it turns a side dish into a real main.
  • Buy pre-cut vegetables if time is tight; nobody gets points for chopping carrots when the end result is what matters.
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