Creamy Tortellini Soup
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy for details.
Creamy tortellini soup made with Italian sausage, cheese-filled tortellini, kale, and Parmesan rind for extra richness. A cozy comfort food recipe ready in just 30 minutes.
Featured Comment
This creamy tortellini soup is one of the most popular Damn Delicious recipes. A quick and hearty Italian-inspired soup with sausage, kale, and tender tortellini simmered in a Dutch oven.
I’ve loaded up on parkas and electric blankets for myself and Butters. But I don’t know, guys. It’s going to be a dicey winter for us Californians.
But what I do know is this – have as much of this creamy tortellini soup as possible until the polar vortex passes. That and all the crusty bread to sop up all this creamy goodness.
Oh, and the wine. That helps warm you up too, no?
Tips for the Best Creamy Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage
- Use fresh tortellini. Fresh cheese tortellini cooks quickly and keeps the soup creamy without becoming mushy.
- Add the cream slowly at the very end to prevent curdling and to keep your tortellini soup creamy and smooth.
- Save leftover Parmesan rinds. Adding them while simmering in a Dutch oven gives this creamy tortellini soup a nutty depth of flavor.
- Store tortellini separately for leftovers. Store cooked tortellini separately when meal prepping or freezing so the soup doesn’t lose its creamy broth.
- Serve with crusty bread. Serve with homemade crusty bread or garlic knots for dipping—classic sides for creamy tortellini soup.
What to Serve with Creamy Tortellini Soup
Tools For Making Tortellini Soup
Dutch oven or large cast iron pot – essential for simmering creamy tortellini soup evenly.
Dutch oven
Tortellini Soup: Frequently Asked Questions
Swiss chard, baby spinach, collard greens, and cabbage are all great options.
We love using fresh cheese tortellini for a more neutral base but your favorite tortellini would also work very well here.
Absolutely! Dried tortellini can be cooked in a separate pot and added to the soup at the end of cooking time until warmed through.
Heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream) has one of the highest fat contents with about 36-40% fat. Half and half or whole milk are suitable substitutes, but will yield a lighter result.
Yes! You can freeze the leftovers without the tortellini and heavy cream (cream soups tend to separate when frozen) in individual freezer bags, thaw overnight, and reheat on the stovetop, adding cooked tortellini and heavy cream when serving.
Creamy Tortellini Soup
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (3-inch) Parmesan rind, optional
- 1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated three cheese tortellini
- ½ bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the sausage as it cooks; drain excess fat.
- Stir in garlic, onion and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
- Stir in chicken stock, tomato sauce and Parmesan rind, if using. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in tortellini; cover and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in kale until wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and basil until heated through, about 1 minute; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @damn_delicious on Instagram and hashtag it #damndelicious!
I have made this numerous times, and it is very customizable. I have used hot Italian sausage, I’ve thrown in chopped zucchini, I’ve also made it without the cream before. Always delicious! I even quadrupled the recipe for a family gathering and kept it warm in one of those big electric roasters. There are never any leftovers unfortunately lol!
Do you think this would work with half and half instead of heavy cream to reduce the calories?
Absolutely!
One of my all time favourite soup recipes. My family always requests it, highly highly recommend.
Can I sub dried tortellini?
I’ve done it several times and I didn’t notice a difference. I make this soup recipe all the time and we love it!
Can I double the recipe
You can easily double this. I have quadrupled the recipe for a large family gathering and kept it warm in an electric roaster.
Have made this many times. I sub spinach for kale. SO damn delicious.
So good. So full of flavor. Easy to make too.
Delicious! One of a family’s favorite
Where’s the nutrition information?
Just made this for dinner and it was incredible!
I’m vegetarian so I cut out the sausage, and added a pinch of anise seeds.
Will definitely be making again in the future, might try adding mushrooms next time!
I am not an experienced cook at all. Are you supposed to use the ENTIRE Onion for 6 servings? It seems like a lot for 4 cups of chicken broth.
So onion can be deceiving. Raw onion is pungent, but when you cook with them, it more “smooths” the flavors over. It almost helps it all to blend better.
This is my absolute most favorite soup recipe! I double it because my husband and I gobble it up! When doubling I use 1 lb mild and 1 lb hot sausage. Make this immediately! It will not disappoint !
Made this for the family and they loved it! Used spinach instead of kale and added Italian sausage ravioli only because I had it in the freezer. Will make this again….84° in Honolulu but a/c made it cool enough to enjoy soup for dinner with warm crusty Italian bread.
It is a wonderful soup for cold nights.. my daughter liked it.. full of nutritions..
This is a delicious soup. I have made it at least 10 times. My husband and I love it any time of the year, winter or summer.
Very flavorful, kids love it. Thank you!
Amazing and easy soup for a rainy night! I used spinach arugula combo and topped with grated part. Delightful!
Delicious filling soup. Everyone loved it!
I make this with a few variations, including arugala instead of kale. Sooooo good!!!
I love this soup!!!!