Turn sausage and simple tortellini into a hearty soup in no time! (2024)

In our house, every season is soup season, and this delicious dutch oven tortellini soup with sausage is a family favorite. It includes all of the best flavors in every spoonful. A cream-based soup with rich Italian sausage, tender tortellini, tomatoes, and spices create a comforting bowl you'll love. Serve alone or with your favorite crusty bread for a perfect weekend meal.

Tortellini Soup with Sausage

You've probably tried a few tortellini soups in your life, but this version is definitely going to become a favorite. While it takes a while to prepare, the slowly simmered broth brings out the richness of the sausage and herbs so every bite is delightful. Pasta in the soup is a classic choice, but this recipe brings that extra tough by using tortellini for a bit more elevated taste.

Do I Have to Use a Dutch Oven?

While I much prefer using a dutch oven for this meal, you do not have to do so. Dutch ovens work wonderfully to hold heat in and are ideal for making a large pot of soup, but any good stockpot will work well for this. You will want to watch a traditional stockpot a bit more closely while it simmers to make sure it doesn't burn or run out of the liquid.

What is the Best Sausage for This Soup?

I used a sweet Italian sausage for my version of this tortellini soup. I like the richness it provides and the nice addition of herbs. You can use any of your preferred sausages in this. I have tried it with chicken sausage, turkey sausage, and even simply seasoned ground beef. All bring a different flavor to the soup.

One thing to consider when picking a sausage is the herb blend and how it will pair well with this recipe. I find that Italian herbs in this work best with Italian sausage or a mild-flavored sausage. It would be best to avoid things like breakfast sausage or those with apple, maple, or sweeter flavors that won't go as well with this.

You could substitute a spinach herb sausage or even one with feta or another cheese if desired. While sweet Italian is a sweeter option, it's well balanced for this soup with the heavy-handed herbs and garlic found most often in the mixture.

Can I Use a Dry Tortellini?

While I recommend nice fresh tortellini you would find in the refrigerated dairy section at a regular market. When using dry pasta, you may want to add it to the soup about 5 minutes earlier. If you enjoy making your own homemade pasta, you could also try your hand at a nice homemade pasta.

Other options that I have tried and prefer over dry are to purchase frozen tortellini or even frozen mini ravioli. Both work well in this recipe and give a great texture and flavor to the mixture that you will enjoy. You can even check out beef or chicken ravioli for more texture, protein and flavor if desired.

What Goes Well with Tortellini Soup?

Since this soup has both a nice protein and pasta addition in every bite, I like to use something light as a side. It's excellent served with a nice large garden salad. I prefer a Caesar salad when available, but you could even do a mixed green or kale salad if desired.

Crunchy breads or even a nice cheese biscuit could pair well with this as well. I like this easy homemade French bread recipe with mine. Some like to serve with an oyster cracker or saltine cracker, but I find that it is ideal just all by itself with a serving of something green on the side.

How Long will Tortellini Soup Last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, I recommend eating this within 3 days of preparation. If you decide to prepare and freezer for later, this lasts up to 4 months in the freezer. It should be eaten within the same 3 days after being thawed from the freezer.

If you choose to make a large batch and freeze it, make sure to label and date it so you know what it is in the freezer. You may also want to portion in 2 cup measurements so it is easy to grab for just one meal rather than thawing the whole batch and it going to waste.

Is it Best to Use Fresh or Dried Herbs?

When possible, I always suggest reaching for fresh herbs in any recipe. In this soup, I used dried herbs because it is more available in most kitchens, and happened to be what I have on hand. You can interchange fresh or dried as preferred to bring more flavor to your soup. Fresh herbs just add a bit of extra freshness that I love seeing in any meal.

Ingredients

• Sweet Italian sausage
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Beef broth
• Water
• Diced tomatoes
• Carrot
• Basil
• Oregano
• Tomato sauce
• Tortellini
• Heavy cream
• Parsley
• Parmesan

How to Make Tortellini Soup with Sausage

Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes stirring regularly or until cooked through.

Once the sausage is browned and crumbled, remove and drain on a paper-lined plate.

Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the drippings from the pan.

In the 1 tablespoon of drippings, over medium heat, saute the chopped onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes until the onions are translucent.

Stir in the beef broth, water, diced tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato sauce, and drained sausage.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.

After 30 minutes, skim any visible fat from the top of the soup, then stir in the parsley.

Cover and simmer for an additional 30 minutes.

Add the tortellini and heavy cream then continue cooking for another 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese and additional chopped fresh parsley before serving.

More Soup Recipes

If soup is on your mind, let me fill your menu plan with great choices. Below are some of my favorite soup recipes that are both delicious and satisfying!

• Rich Pork Stew Recipe with Root Vegetables
• Creamy Beef Taco Soup Recipe
• Savory Parmesan-Fennel Italian Wedding Soup
• The Best Ever Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
• Savory Spanish Garlic Bread Soup {Sopa de Ajo}
• The Best French Onion Soup You'll Ever Eat
• 10-Minute Egg Drop Soup Recipe

Chef's Tip

A dutch oven is a true investment for your kitchen. You can use a classic cast iron dutch oven or an enamel coated cast iron dutch oven for this recipe. I have one of each and find that I regularly reach for my dutch oven for all sorts of recipes.