Description
Hearty Spicy Sausage and Tortellini Soup brings comforting Italian flavors to your winter table. Simmering with robust sausage, tender cheese tortellini, and a rich tomato base, this soul-warming dish delivers bold spice and satisfying warmth you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 2 cups tortellini (just under 10 ounces/283 grams)
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups kale (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 pinch cayenne (optional)
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, sauté sausage and onions over medium-high heat at 375°F, breaking meat into crumbles until onions soften and meat is fully cooked, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the pot, then add minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Dust the meat mixture with flour, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and create a thickening base.
- Incorporate a blend of herbs and spices including basil, oregano, cayenne, hot sauce, mustard powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, mixing thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Slowly pour chicken broth into the pot, using a silicone spatula to deglaze and scrape any caramelized bits from the bottom, ensuring maximum flavor extraction.
- Gradually whisk in heavy cream, bringing the liquid to a rolling boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer.
- Add chopped kale and tortellini, allowing the soup to simmer for 3-5 minutes until pasta reaches desired tenderness.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed, ensuring a balanced and vibrant flavor profile.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls and serve immediately for optimal temperature and taste.
Notes
- Choose ground sausage with a spice level that matches your heat tolerance, allowing you to control the soup’s kick.
- Swap kale for spinach or Swiss chard if you prefer a different leafy green texture and flavor profile.
- Lower the fat content by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream or a dairy-free milk alternative for lactose-sensitive diners.
- Enhance protein by adding white beans or shredded rotisserie chicken to make the soup more filling and nutritionally balanced.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 327 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg