Description
This Spicy Beef Sausage and Tortellini Soup is a hearty, flavorful meal that combines spicy beef sausage with fresh vegetables, tender tortellini, and a rich broth. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this soup is easy to prepare and packed with Italian-inspired flavors, featuring savory sausage, fresh spinach, and a hint of garlic and Italian seasoning.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb spicy beef sausage, casings removed
Vegetables
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups spinach, fresh
Liquids & Canned Goods
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
Pasta
- 2 cups tortellini (fresh or frozen)
Seasonings & Others
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for sautéing
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: In a large pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat to prepare for sautéing.
- Cook the sausage: Add the spicy beef sausage to the pot. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned, about 6-7 minutes, ensuring it is cooked through and has developed a rich flavor.
- Sauté vegetables: Stir in the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are softened, which builds a flavorful base for the soup.
- Add garlic: Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant, enhancing the aroma and depth of the soup.
- Add broth and boil: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil to begin cooking the soup components together.
- Cook tortellini: Once boiling, add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions, usually about 5 minutes, until tender.
- Add tomatoes and spinach: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, fresh spinach, and Italian seasoning. Let the soup simmer gently for 3-5 minutes to combine flavors and wilt the spinach.
- Season to taste: Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as necessary to balance the flavors.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired, for a savory finish.
Notes
- If you prefer a milder soup, use mild sausage instead of spicy beef sausage.
- You can substitute fresh tortellini with frozen or even dried tortellini; adjust cooking times accordingly.
- For a vegetarian version, replace sausage with plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Adding a splash of red wine before the broth can add depth to the flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
