Comforting Creamy Tortellini Soup (Printable)
Rich, cozy soup with cheese tortellini, tender vegetables, and velvety broth. Perfect for chilly autumn evenings.
# 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)
# Method:
01 - Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and develop fragrance.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Garlic should become fragrant but not brown.
03 - Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with their juices. Add dried Italian herbs, crushed red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Bring mixture to a gentle boil.
04 - Reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Add refrigerated cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions, typically 4–7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the surface. Stir continuously until cheese melts and incorporates evenly. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until soup thickens slightly and reaches desired creaminess.
06 - Add chopped baby spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring gently until leaves just wilt. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
07 - Ladle hot soup into individual bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while steaming hot.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you spent much longer nurturing it
- The combination of creamy broth and tender pasta makes it impossible to stop at one bowl
02 -
- The soup continues thickening as it sits, so stop the simmer a little earlier if you prefer a lighter broth
- Adding the cream last prevents it from separating and keeps the texture perfectly smooth
03 -
- Prep all your vegetables before you start cooking once the butter hits the pan, everything moves quickly
- Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre grated for better melting and a fresher taste