Description
This Spicy Sausage and Tortellini Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for cozy evenings. Made with Italian sausage, fresh kale, and tender tortellini in a creamy, spiced broth, it combines a comforting richness with a gentle kick of heat. Ready in just 40 minutes, this soup is ideal for weeknight dinners and serves up to six people.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
Thickening and Liquids
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 cups chicken broth
Vegetables and Pasta
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 2 cups tortellini (just under 10 oz, refrigerated or frozen)
Instructions
- Cook Sausage and Onions: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook the ground Italian sausage and diced onions for about 8-10 minutes until the onions are softened and the sausage is browned. Drain any excess grease from the pot.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Incorporate Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the sausage mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring well to form a roux that will thicken the soup.
- Add Spices: Stir in the dried basil, oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), hot sauce, mustard powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Add Broth and Cream: Pour in the chicken broth while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Gradually stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer with Kale and Tortellini: Reduce heat to low and simmer the soup, then add the chopped kale and tortellini. Continue to simmer for 3-5 minutes until the tortellini is tender. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately, ideally accompanied by crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
- Use hot or mild Italian sausage depending on your spice preference.
- Cayenne pepper is optional; adjust the heat level to your taste.
- For a thicker soup, simmer a bit longer before adding cream.
- Frozen tortellini works well and can be added directly without thawing.
- Crusty bread makes a perfect side to soak up the flavorful broth.
