Comforting Creamy Tortellini Soup (Printer-Friendly)
Rich Italian-American soup with cheese tortellini, vegetables, and creamy broth
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 4 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Soup Base
07 - 5 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
08 - 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
09 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
10 - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Pasta & Dairy
12 - 10 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
13 - 1 cup heavy cream
14 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish
15 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
03 - Pour in broth and diced tomatoes with juices. Stir in Italian herbs, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
04 - Reduce heat to simmer. Add tortellini and cook according to package directions (typically 4–7 minutes), stirring occasionally.
05 - Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until soup is creamy and heated through.
06 - Add chopped spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
- The leftovers somehow taste even better for lunch the next day
02 -
- The tortellini will continue absorbing liquid as it sits, so leftovers become thicker. Add a splash of broth when reheating.
- Dont let the soup come to a rolling boil after adding the cream, or it might separate. Gentle simmering is key.
03 -
- Grate your own Parmesan from a wedge instead of buying pre-grated, the texture and flavor difference is remarkable
- Use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for an extra layer of smoky depth that people notice but cant quite place