If you love pasta soups, try whipping up this Easy Creamy Tortellini Soup with Spinach and Kielbasa Sausage! It's a quick and hearty soup that's on the table in under 30 minutes. Incredibly cozy, creamy, and downright comforting! This delicious creamy spinach tortellini soup is an ideal choice for a warm and satisfying family dinner.
In this guide, I'll walk you through the simple steps to create a delightful creamy sausage tortellini soup. I'll provide a list of the necessary ingredients and share helpful tips to ensure you whip up the most flavorful tortellini with spinach soup in a breeze. Let's get started on crafting this delicious dish!
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Ingredients
Here are the key ingredients you'll need to prepare the most indulgent creamy tortellini pasta.
- Tortellini Pasta:
- Soft, ring-shaped pasta filled with cheese, meat, or a combination of both. Adds a hearty and flavorful element to the soup.
- Kielbasa Sausage:
- A type of Polish sausage, usually made with pork and seasoned with garlic and various spices. Adds a savory and smoky flavor to the soup.
- Fresh Baby Spinach:
- Tender, young spinach leaves that add a vibrant color, mild flavor, and a boost of nutrients to the soup.
- Mirepoix (Onion, Carrot, Celery Mixture, and Garlic):
- A classic base in cooking, providing a flavorful foundation. Onions add sweetness, carrots contribute a hint of sweetness and earthiness, celery adds freshness, and garlic imparts a rich, aromatic flavor.
- Low-Sodium Broth:
- A liquid base for the soup, enhancing the overall flavor. Using low-sodium broth allows better control over the dish's saltiness.
- Heavy Cream:
- Adds richness and a velvety texture to the soup. Enhances the creaminess of the dish for a comforting and indulgent taste.
- All-Purpose Flour:
- Used as a thickening agent for the soup, providing body and a smooth consistency. Helps create a creamy and luscious texture in the broth.
How to Make Creamy Tortellini Soup with Spinach and Sausage
Here's a simple guide to making delicious tortellini soup with spinach and sausage:
- Start by melting butter in a big pot on medium heat.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for about 4 minutes or longer until they get tender.
- Toss in garlic and stir for one more minute.
- Sprinkle in the flour and stir for an extra 3 minutes.
- Pour in the broth and add the kielbasa sausage. Let everything simmer for around 5 minutes.
- Mix in the tortellini pasta, cover, and let it cook until it's just right, following the package instructions.
- Once the pasta is good to go, add heavy cream and fresh spinach. Keep stirring for about 1 minute.
- Season with salt and pepper, or adjust by adding more low-sodium chicken broth, creamy goodness, or water if you want.
Top Tip
Remember to give the soup a good stir occasionally while it's cooking. This prevents starchy ingredients from sticking to the pot's bottom and ensures the best flavor, texture, and appearance.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to mix and match these suggestions to create your own personalized version of creamy tortellini soup! Here are some ideas to consider:
- Spinach Swap:
- Instead of spinach, try kale for a heartier green addition. It adds a slightly different texture and a robust flavor to the soup.
- Vegan Twist:
- Opt for vegan cream to make this soup entirely plant-based. You'll achieve the same creamy goodness without any animal products.
- Tortellini Choices:
- Experiment with tortellini variations—go for cheese-filled, meat-filled, or try a blend for a diverse flavor profile. Alternatively, use tortellini without fillings for a simpler twist.
- Vegetarian Delight:
- Make the soup entirely vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. This switch enhances the natural veggie flavors for a delightful meat-free option.
- Spice it Up:
- Personalize the flavor by adding your favorite spices. Consider Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, or a pinch of smoked paprika for an extra kick.
- Herb Infusion:
- Elevate the aroma and taste by incorporating fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, oregano, or parsley. These additions bring a burst of freshness to each spoonful.
- Noodle Alternatives:
- Swap tortellini for other pasta shapes like penne or bowties if you don't have tortellini on hand. The creamy base pairs well with various pasta types.
- Kielbasa Alternatives:
- Consider using Polish sausage, Andouille sausage, Italian sausage, or Chorizo as alternatives to Kielbasa in your recipe.
Tips
Here are some tips for making the perfect creamy tortellini soup:
- Gentle Stirring:
- Stir the soup gently throughout the cooking process to prevent ingredients from sticking and ensure an even blend of flavors.
- Mindful Creaminess:
- When adding heavy cream, start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste. It's easier to add more later if needed.
- Low-Sodium Broth:
- Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness, especially if your tortellini or sausage choices contain higher sodium levels.
- Balancing Thickness:
- If the soup becomes too thick, you can balance it by adding a bit of water during cooking or reheating.
- Perfect Pasta:
- Cook tortellini just until tender to avoid it becoming mushy, and follow the package instructions for the best results.
- Freshness Matters:
- Add fresh spinach towards the end to preserve its vibrant color and nutrients.
- Flavor Adjustments:
- Taste the soup before serving and adjust seasoning as needed with salt, pepper, or additional broth.
Check Out More Soup Recipes
- Slow-Cooked Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Slow Cooker Sausage Gnocchi Soup
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don’t mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.
๐ Recipe
Creamy Tortellini Soup with Kielbasa and Spinach
Ingredients
- 12 oz tortellini pasta , (with or without fillings)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 garlic clove, {minced}
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream , {or add more according to your liking}
- 4 cups of fresh spinach
- 1 cup sliced Kielbasa sausage
Optional:
- a pinch of nutmeg
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and cook until tender for about 4 minutes. Add garlic and stir for a minute.
- Add flour, stir for about 3 minutes. Add broth and kielbasa sausage into the pot and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in tortellini pasta, cover, and cook until the pasta is tender or according to the product packaging. Once the pasta is fully cooked, add heavy cream and fresh spinach. Keep stirring for about 1 minute. Season with salt/pepper or add more low sodium chicken broth, heavy creamy, or water if needed.
Terri A says
I love how quickly this soup comes together. My family raved about how delicious it was. Hubs asked me to make it again and my MIL raved about it being as good as any sheโs had in 5 star restaurants.
Rika says
Thanks, Terri! Your comment made me blush, I was so happy to read it.
I think you said it well about the soup coming together, it's a fun way to get a full meal in a bowl with the pasta, the veggies, and the meat. I wish you, your hubs, and your mother-in-law the best and hope that you're able to try out more of my recipes!
Best,
Rika
Maria says
Hi, I have frozen tortellini. Is that what the recipe was created for or do I need to make adjustments? Thanks!
Rika says
Hi Maria,
You can use frozen tortellini too and follow the cooking time recommendation on the packaging to cook the pasta until al dente.
Best,
Rika
Camelle Kinney says
This is a fav of my entire family. So warm and cozy on a chilly night. And leftovers are delicious the next day (even if the tortalini is a little extra soft.) so so good. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Rika says
Hi Camelle,
Thank you so much for your kind words! Iโm so happy to hear that the tortellini soup is a family favorite! Itโs perfect for those chilly nights. And Iโm glad the leftovers are still tasty, even with the tortellini getting a bit softer. Thanks again for trying the recipe, and Iโm so glad everyone enjoyed it!
Best,
Rika