Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

Warm, hearty, and packed with comforting flavor, this Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. With savory Italian sausage, tender sweet potatoes, cheesy tortellini, and a swirl of cream, every spoonful is rich, satisfying, and full of depth.

Fresh spinach and thyme add a vibrant, aromatic finish, making this one-pot meal both nourishing and indulgent.

Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, it’s a flavorful twist on a classic favorite that everyone will love!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

People will love this Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup because it’s everything you want in a cozy, satisfying bowl—hearty, flavorful, and incredibly comforting.

The spicy (or mild) sausage adds bold flavor, the sweet potato brings a touch of natural sweetness, and the cheesy tortellini makes each bite extra indulgent.

Finished with a swirl of cream and fresh thyme, it’s a rich, balanced soup that feels like a hug in a bowl.

Plus, it all comes together in one pot, making cleanup easy and weeknight dinners a breeze!

Key Ingredients:

Italian Sausage – Adds bold, savory flavor as the base of the soup. You can use spicy or mild depending on your taste.

Sweet Potato – Brings natural sweetness and a hearty texture that balances the richness of the sausage and cream.

Tortellini – Cheesy, pillowy pasta that turns this soup into a satisfying, complete meal.

Fresh Spinach – Adds color, nutrients, and a light freshness to round out the rich flavors.

Heavy Cream – Creates a velvety finish that makes the broth luxuriously creamy and comforting.

Italian Seasoning & Thyme – Infuse the soup with warm, herby notes that tie all the ingredients together beautifully.

Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:

12 oz Italian sausage (spicy or mild)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp paprika (regular or smoked)

1 large sweet potato (or 2 small), peeled and cubed

5 cloves garlic, minced

¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

1 tbsp tomato paste

6 cups water

8 oz refrigerated tortellini (e.g. three-cheese)

4 oz fresh spinach

½ cup heavy cream

4 tbsp fresh thyme (plus more for garnish)

Instructions

Brown the Sausage:

In a large, deep pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the crumbled sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in the Italian seasoning and paprika.

Add Veggies & Flavor:

Add the cubed sweet potatoes, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste. Stir well to coat everything and allow the tomato paste to blend in.

Simmer the Soup:

Pour in 6 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the tomato paste. Once boiling, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.

Add Tortellini:

Stir in the tortellini, cover the pot, and cook according to package directions (usually about 8–10 minutes) until the pasta is soft and cooked through.

Finish with Spinach & Cream:

Add the spinach and stir just until wilted. Remove the pot from heat and pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently to combine.

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Season & Serve:

Taste and adjust seasoning—add salt only if needed, depending on how salty your sausage is. Sprinkle with fresh thyme before serving.

Notes:

Choose your sausage wisely: Spicy Italian sausage adds a kick, while mild or sweet sausage makes it more family-friendly. You can also use chicken or turkey sausage as a lighter option.

Sweet potato tips: Cut the sweet potato into small, even cubes so they cook quickly and evenly. You can substitute with butternut squash or carrots if preferred.

No broth needed: Water works perfectly in this recipe since the sausage brings so much flavor—but feel free to use chicken broth if you’d like extra depth.

Don’t overcook the tortellini: Add tortellini at the end and follow the package time to avoid mushy pasta.

Adjust salt carefully: Some sausages are quite salty, so always taste the soup before adding more salt.

Make it your own: Feel free to toss in extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or kale for added texture and nutrition.

Leftovers: This soup thickens as it sits—add a splash of water or broth when reheating to bring it back to a soupy consistency.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 6 | SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes! While Italian sausage (spicy or mild) adds the most flavor, you can substitute with chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or even plant-based sausage if preferred.

Just make sure it’s fully cooked before adding it to the soup.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Definitely! You can prepare the soup ahead, but for the best texture, cook the tortellini separately and add it just before serving.

This prevents the pasta from becoming too soft or soggy.

Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated?

Yes, frozen tortellini works just as well.

Just increase the cooking time by a few minutes, and follow the package instructions to ensure they’re cooked through.

Can I freeze this soup?

It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it without the tortellini for better texture.

When reheating, add freshly cooked tortellini to avoid them becoming mushy after thawing.

Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?

Absolutely! Use a dairy-free cream alternative (like coconut cream or cashew cream) and substitute with a dairy-free tortellini if available.

You can also skip the cream entirely and still have a flavorful broth thanks to the sausage and seasoning.

Should I drain the sausage after cooking it?

Yes, it’s a good idea to drain any excess grease after browning the sausage, especially if it’s high in fat.

This helps prevent the soup from becoming too oily.

How do I know when the sweet potatoes are fully cooked?

They should be fork-tender—easily pierced with a fork without resistance.

This usually takes about 15 minutes of simmering, depending on the size of your cubes.

When should I add the tortellini to avoid overcooking?

Add the tortellini once the sweet potatoes are fully cooked.

Check the package instructions for the tortellini’s cook time and follow that closely to ensure they stay tender and not mushy.

Can I use broth instead of water?

Yes! While the sausage adds plenty of flavor on its own, using chicken or vegetable broth instead of water can add even more depth and richness to the soup.

Why is my soup too thick after cooling?

As it sits, the tortellini and sweet potatoes will absorb some of the liquid, naturally thickening the soup.

Just add a splash of water or broth when reheating to loosen it up to your desired consistency.