When the weather cools down, nothing beats a warm, filling meal. From experience, this creamy sausage tortellini soup is always a hit. It’s rich, full of flavor, and incredibly simple to make. Whether you’re cooking for family or just yourself, this one-pot wonder delivers big taste without the hassle.

This soup blends savory Italian sausage with cheesy tortellini and a creamy broth. Add in garlic, herbs, and fresh spinach, and you’ve got a complete meal in one bowl. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll keep coming back to, especially on chilly nights.

Table of Contents

What Makes This Soup Special

This dish stands out because it balances comfort with ease. You don’t need fancy equipment or ingredients. In less than an hour, you can have a hearty soup ready to serve.

Main Features:

Uses basic ingredients found in most kitchens
One-pot preparation for easy cooking and cleanup
Full of rich, savory flavor
Creamy texture that feels indulgent but is easy to make
Perfect for leftovers or meal prep

Ingredients You’ll Need:

1 lb Italian sausage (choose mild or spicy based on your taste)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
4 cups chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 package (9 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups fresh spinach
Salt and black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sausage. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, transfer the sausage to a plate.
In the same pot, add diced onion. Cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and the can of diced tomatoes. Stir to combine.
Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, add the tortellini. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 to 7 minutes or until the tortellini is tender.
Lower the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh spinach.
Let the soup simmer for another 2-3 minutes, until the spinach wilts and everything is heated through.
Taste and season with salt and black pepper.

Helpful Tips for Better Results:

Use high-quality sausage. It’s the base flavor of the soup and makes a difference.
Don’t overcook the tortellini. They should be tender but not falling apart.
Want a bit more texture? Swap spinach with kale or Swiss chard.
Need a thicker soup? Simmer a bit longer before adding the cream.
Want it spicier? Use hot Italian sausage or increase the red pepper flakes.

Variations to Try:

Vegetarian Option: Skip the sausage and use vegetable broth. Add white beans or mushrooms for added texture.
Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. It adds a slight sweetness but still gives a creamy texture.
Different Tortellini: Try meat-filled or spinach and ricotta tortellini instead of cheese for variety.

Meal Prep & Storage Advice:

This soup keeps well, which makes it ideal for meal prepping. Let it cool completely before storing.

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: If freezing, it’s best to freeze the soup without the tortellini. Pasta can become mushy when thawed. Add cooked tortellini fresh when reheating.
Reheating: Warm on the stove over medium heat. If it’s too thick, add a splash of broth or cream.

Serving Suggestions:

Pair with crusty bread for dipping
Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top before serving
Serve with a simple green salad for a full meal

Why This Recipe Works Every Time:

The balance of meat, pasta, and creamy broth makes this dish satisfying and rich. It doesn’t need fancy skills. The ingredients do the heavy lifting. Even beginner cooks can pull this off with ease.

It’s also flexible. You can adjust it to your liking without ruining the flavor. Want more veggies? Add carrots or zucchini. Prefer a thinner soup? Add extra broth.

Make It Your Own
Once you’ve made it once, it’s easy to experiment. Add roasted garlic for depth. Swap in turkey sausage for a lighter version. Stir in fresh herbs like basil or parsley at the end for extra brightness.

Some people even like to top it with crushed croutons or bacon bits. Others pour it over mashed potatoes for a serious comfort upgrade. The base recipe is so solid, you can go in any direction you like.

A Soup Worth Repeating
This creamy sausage tortellini soup isn’t just another dinner idea. It’s one of those meals you’ll find yourself craving again. It’s perfect for fall and winter but still light enough to enjoy any time of year.

It’s also crowd-pleasing. Even picky eaters usually love it. The rich broth, the cheesy pasta, the seasoned meat—it all comes together in the best way. Make a big batch, because it goes fast.

Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s become a staple in so many homes. It’s simple, filling, and packed with taste. Whether you’re cooking for family or just making a cozy dinner for yourself, this soup delivers.

Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

This creamy sausage tortellini soup is the ultimate cozy dinner—rich, flavorful, and satisfying. With Italian sausage, cheesy tortellini, and fresh spinach in a creamy broth, it’s the kind of meal you’ll crave all season long.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Italian-American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 lb Italian sausage mild or spicy
1 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional, for heat
4 cups chicken broth
14.5 oz diced tomatoes 1 can, undrained
9 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups fresh spinach
to taste salt and black pepper

Instructions

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add diced onion. Cook for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine, then return the cooked sausage to the pot.
Bring to a boil, then add the cheese tortellini. Reduce heat and simmer for 5–7 minutes or until tortellini are tender.
Lower the heat, stir in heavy cream and fresh spinach. Let the soup simmer for another 2–3 minutes until spinach wilts.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Notes

Use high-quality sausage for best flavor. Don’t overcook the tortellini. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and swap sausage for mushrooms or beans. For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Soup can be stored for 3 days in the fridge or frozen without tortellini for longer storage.

Keyword comfort food, creamy tortellini soup, easy dinner, one pot meals, sausage soup

Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup: The Cozy Dinner You’ll Crave Again