Creamy Sausage & Cheese Tortellini Soup (Cozy 30-Minute Dinner)
If you’re looking for a creamy tortellini soup recipe that checks every box try this cozy, flavorful, kid-approved, and done in under 30 minutes! Creamy Sausage & Cheese Tortellini Soup is your new go-to weeknight dinner. It’s rich, hearty, and packed with veggies, but still light enough to fit into your family’s weekly rotation.
This recipe is inspired by classic Italian-inspired soups but simplified into a comforting, one-pot meal that tastes like it simmered for hours. It’s the perfect balance of indulgent and health-minded, making it ideal for busy weeknights, chilly winter evenings, and anyone craving a comfort food dinner full of flavor.
This dish has quickly earned a spot in our regular meal plan because:
- It’s a one-pot creamy tortellini soup
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients
- Kids love it
- It reheats beautifully
- It’s incredibly customizable
- It tastes like a restaurant-style cream-based soup
If you love cozy dinners like my White Chicken Chili or my Spinach & Cheese Pinwheels, this soup will slide right into your comfort-food favorites.
Why This Tortellini Soup Belongs in Your Dinner Rotation
This soup has quickly become one of our most-loved family meals, and here’s why:
- 30-minute, one-pot recipe
- Kid-approved and picky-eater friendly
- Comforting but still health-minded
- Creamy without heavy cream
- Packed with veggies for nourishment
- Flexible & customizable for any diet
- Perfect for leftovers and meal prep
It’s the kind of soup that tastes like a warm hug, its cozy, creamy, and incredibly satisfying.Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a cozy Sunday at home, this sausage and tortellini soup tastes like a warm hug in a bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this comforting tortellini soup:
Produce & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 ribs celery, sliced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp garlic powder (your exact addition!)
Protein
- 1 lb sweet chicken Italian sausage (Chicken or turkey sausage works great.)
Broth & Seasoning
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
Creaminess + Tortellini
- 10 ounces cheese tortellini
- ½–1 cup heavy cream, half-and-half, milk, or coconut milk
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Finish
- Salt & pepper
- Fresh basil or parsley for serving
How to Make This Creamy Tortellini Soup
1. Brown the sausage
Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain excess grease if needed.
2. Add the vegetables
Stir in onion, celery, and carrots. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened. Add garlic, garlic powder, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Build the broth
Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Cook the tortellini
Stir in the 10 ounces of cheese tortellini. Simmer 4–6 minutes until tender.
5. Make it creamy
Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream (or milk) and Parmesan until the broth is smooth, creamy, and silky.
6. Add spinach & serve
Stir in spinach until wilted. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs.
Expert Tips for the Best Tortellini Soup
Use fresh tortellini if possible
Refrigerated tortellini cooks quickly and gives this soup the BEST texture.
Don’t boil after adding dairy
Low heat keeps the broth creamy and prevents separation.
Grate your Parmesan fresh
It melts smoother and adds amazing richness.
Add more veggies
This recipe is incredibly flexible toss in zucchini, mushrooms, or extra spinach to make it even more nutrient-dense.
Ingredient Swaps & Healthy Modifications
If you’re cooking for kids or trying to lighten things up, here are easy ways to modify this soup without losing flavor:
- Use lean turkey or chicken sausage
- Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk
- Add extra vegetables
- Use whole-wheat tortellini
- Choose low-sodium broth
How to Store & Reheat
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
Reheat:
Warm on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of broth or milk if the soup thickens, tortellini soaks up liquid as it sits.
Freezing:
For the best texture, freeze the soup without tortellini, then add fresh tortellini when reheating.
Recipe Variations
Spicy Tortellini Soup
Use hot Italian sausage + extra red pepper flakes.
Veggie-Packed Version
Add more spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or white beans.
Tomato-Basil Tortellini Soup
Add more tomato paste + fresh basil + a splash of cream.
Dairy-Free Version
Use coconut milk and a dairy-free Parmesan.
FAQ
Yes! Add 1–2 extra minutes of cook time.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes — prepare the soup but don’t add tortellini until serving.
How do I keep the soup from getting too thick?
Add broth or milk when reheating; tortellini absorbs liquid over time.
Can I swap the sausage?
Absolutely. Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based sausage works.
This Creamy Sausage & Cheese Tortellini Soup is truly the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and family-friendly flavors. With simple ingredients, a rich creamy broth, tender veggies, and perfectly cooked tortellini, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Whether you’re serving it on a busy weeknight or curled up on a cozy winter evening, this soup brings warmth, comfort, and serious flavor every single time.
Picky Kid Tip
Instead of using canned diced tomatoes use tomato sauce. Also mince the veggies instead of chopping them so they are small enough not to notice.
Get the Recipe:
Creamy Sausage & Cheese Tortellini Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb sweet Italian chicken sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 ribs celery, sliced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 10 oz cheese tortellini
- ½ – 1 cup heavy cream, half-and-half or whole milk
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for serving
Instructions
Brown the sausage
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
Add the vegetables
- Stir in onion, celery, and carrots. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened. Add garlic, garlic powder, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute.
Build the broth
- Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Cook the tortellini
- Add the cheese tortellini and simmer for 4–6 minutes until tender.
Make it creamy
- Lower heat and stir in the half-and-half and grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
Add spinach & serve
- Stir in spinach until wilted. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs.
Notes
- Use turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter version.
- Frozen tortellini works, simply add 1–2 extra minutes.
- For meal prep, cook tortellini separately and add per serving.
- Make dairy-free by using coconut milk and dairy-free Parmesan.
- Thickens as it sits , add a splash of broth when reheating.
What to Serve with Tortellini Soup
This soup is hearty enough to be a full meal, but pairs perfectly with:
- Garlic bread
- A simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Crispy Chicken Parmesan
- Homemade croutons
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