Creamy Sausage And Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb. Italian sausage

1 small yellow onion, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

2 large carrots, peeled and diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon kosher sea salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed or chopped

one 6-oz. can tomato paste

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

6–7 cups chicken broth

14 oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini

2 cups half and half or heavy cream

1 handful chopped fresh spinach

Parmesan and fresh parsley for serving

Instructions:

Step 1:

In a large stockpot set over medium-high, cook the sausage, breaking up into little pieces.

When sausage is mostly browned, add onion, celery and carrot, sauté for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.

Step 2:

Add the garlic, spices, and tomato paste; sauté for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.

Step 3:

Add wine and let it cook out for a few minutes.

Stir the flour into the sausage and cook for 1 minute. It’ll be sticky and dry.

Gradually add in the chicken broth, stir to combine.

Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 4:

Add the cream, then bring it to a low simmer.

Add the tortellini and spinach.

Cook just until tortellini is al dente, per package directions.

Serve with fresh parsley and Parmesan and dunk with cheese bread!

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 6 | SERVING SIZE: 1 bowl

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of sausage in this recipe?

Certainly! While Italian sausage is traditional, you can experiment with other sausages like chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter option or spicy sausage for an extra kick.

Is it necessary to use dry white wine, or can I substitute it with something else?

You can substitute the dry white wine with chicken broth if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.

The wine adds a depth of flavor, but the soup will still be delicious without it.

Can I make this soup ahead of time and reheat it later?

Absolutely! This soup reheats well. Just keep in mind that the tortellini may continue to absorb liquid, so you might need to add a bit more broth or cream when reheating.

Is it okay to use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated?

Yes, you can use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated.

Adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions for the frozen tortellini.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Certainly! You can substitute vegetarian Italian sausage or omit the sausage altogether for a vegetarian version.

Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and you’ll have a delicious vegetarian tortellini soup.