Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup

By Addie

This is my favorite soup recipe. It's quick to fix on a busy night and full of healthy, tasty ingredients. It originally called for spicy sausage links, but I've found that turkey sausage, or even ground turkey breast, is just as good. —Tracy Fasnacht, Irwin, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

• 3 Italian sausage links (4 ounces each), casings removed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1-3/4 cups water
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped
• 2-1/4 teaspoons minced fresh basil or 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Dash crushed red pepper flakes
• Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Preparation

Step 1

Crumble sausage into a Dutch oven; add onion. Cook and stir over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil.

Add tortellini; return to a boil. Cook for 7-9 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; add the spinach, basil, pepper and pepper flakes. Cook 2-3 minutes longer or until spinach is wilted. Serve with cheese if desired. Yield: 6 servings (2 quarts).
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REVIEWS:

I only edited one major thing in this recipe, and that was the onions. My fiance doesn't like regular onions but will eat green onions if I put them in soup, so I used a stalk of green onions chopped in exchange for an onion. I also nearly tripled the amount of tortellini, and I used three cans of chicken broth instead of the one can chicken broth + water. I ended up buying a 16 ounce package of Italian Sausage instead of of taking a part 3 4-ounce sausages. So, other than changing the amount I put in of certain ingredients, lol, I nearly followed the recipe, and it was fantastic! I'll be keeping this recipe for years to come!

This is super easy to make, ready in no time and delicious. Everyone I've ever served it to has loved it. Paired with some crusty bread, this is a mega-pleasing lunch or dinner!

I doubled this recipe, used tri-colored tortellinis and ground turkey instead of sausage. To add some spicy flavor I used one can of diced tomatoes and one can of diced tomatoes w/chiles. I also added a can of white beans (drained/rinsed). This is such a hearty, delicious soup!

Wasn't sure about the recipe when I started out with the first few ingredients but LOVED the end result! I used whole grain tortellini and added some fresh tomato. I let the first 6 ingredients simmer for about 1 hour before I added the rest.

My family LOVES this! My sister in law even wanted the recipe. Its a quick, easy, family pleasing meal!

My husband and I made this recipe together...It was amazing!!! Thank you for the post, I will definitely be making this recipe again!!! :)

First time to rate a recipe after many years of enjoying Taste of Home, Simple and delcious and Healthy Cooking! This is awesome! My Italian husband wasn't sure with the addition of spinach, but loved it and rated as a "keeper"

Firsttime to rate a recipe after many years of enjoying Taste of Home, Simple and delcious and Healthy Cooking! This is awesome! My Italian husband wasn't sure with the addition of spinach, but loved it and rated as a "keeper"

I doubled the amount of tortellini to make it thicker and it was still amazing:)

Quick and easy meal on a cold night. Wonderful flavor along with a loaf of hot baked bread makes for a complete comfort meal. A favorite recipe now.

Wow this is good! We like lots of flavor and this has it. Very filling w/some crusty garlic bread. Don't skimp on the garlic.

The day I made it I wasn't terribly impressed, but it was better the next day. It gave the flavors time to "marry".

I substituted Italian Pork Sausage & Frozen Tortellini. Easy to make and really yummy!!

This was absolutely wonderful....I just substituted turkey for the turkey sausage...I hate sausage..WONDERFUL!

I have been looking for a good tasting & easy restaurant quality tortellini soup-this recipe is a keeper. I doubled it, used frozen tortellini & frozen spinach. I also used hot turkey sausage and homemade chicken stock. Very filling, but also light, tasty, no added salt and good for you. I love the ease that this comes together-one pot, chop an onion & garlic and toss everything else in. It was finished so quickly too..a little parmesan adds salt and creaminess that makes it just perfect. Yummo.

Very yummy! Doubled this and used home canned tomatoes and thawed swiss chard instead of spinach. Next day the tortellini's started falling apart and absorbed a lot of the liquid still very tasty but better the first day.

I used precooked turkey sausage breakfast patties chopped instead of the links. It was absolutely wonderful!! It freezes very well, tastes just as fresh as the day it's made. I added a dash of cayan pepper instead of the red pepper flakes, and doubled up on the tomatoes.

I just made this tonight. It was a hit! Great taste, easy and healthy!

Didn't have spinach on hand so I used some green peppers. We loved it!

So yummy! Even my mom, who swore she'd never like italian sausage, liked this soup.

I added a tsp of salt, and substituted the crushed red pepper flakes for 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper because that what was in the pantry! Every delicious..I just ate 3 bowls!!

Me and my family love this soup. I have made it at least every other week since I found the recipe.

This was very good. It tasted even better to me heated up the next day for lunch. I'll definitely be making this again.

This soup is delicious and easy to make. I,ve made it several times and everyone loves it. You can substitute the tortellini with Bowtie pasta and it's still fabulous! This recipe ia a keeper!

Simple, fast, tasty. Add some crusty french bread and you have a great meal. I used frozen tortellini and it didn't seem to make any difference. I also used a can of diced Italian tomatoes instead of regular diced tomatoes and it gave the soup a little more flavor. Another keeper recipe!

Reviewed on Feb. 09, 2012 by laurenph31

Heck yes, I would make this again! This soup is absolutely delicious...may have just become the favorite.

This family favorite is requested often. I usually follow the recipe as written, but have substituted bulk sausage, frozen tortellini or frozen spinach based on what I have on hand

This family favorite is requested often - I usually follow the recipe as written, but have substituted bulk sausage, frozen tortellini or frozen spinach based on what I have on hand

My whole family loved this! Fantastic flavor!

Wonderful recipe! The whole family loved it.

I make this soup at least once a month. My family loves it. I have shared this with my "recipe club" at work and everybody who has made it loves it.

I made this soup for dinner tonight, and it is awesome!! I subbed kale for the spinach (personal taste) with delicious results. Definitely recommend this recipe to others.

This soup was delicious just as written. I did not make any changes. It had great flavor our whole family liked.

The soup has become a family favorite- I have introduced it to many family & co-workers who all have returned with rave reviews!

HAVE BEEN MAKING THIS FOR YEARS - ALMOST IDENTICAL TO MY GRANDMAS RECIPE!

This soup was fantastic. Got a lot of request for this recipe when I made it for a function I went too.

I have made this recipe many, many times. My family loves it!

I just made this soup for dinner and it was very good! Was fast and easy to make. I didn't use the whole bag of spinach because my family just prefers a little less. :)

This got top ratings from my family, particularly my husband. I didn't have any spinach so I used red pepper.

I really like the flavors of this soup. This is the ideal soup to pair with a salad and breadsticks.

The best soup I have ever tasted!!!

Doubled this recipe and brought to work, should have tripled..gone in a flash! Everyone really enjoyed. Great soup and hearty, too! Yum!

I just did not think it had much flavor.

I tried this soup for the first time last week. It was delicious. I used a seeded jalapino pepper in place of pepper flakes as I had some from my garden. I also just used bulk Italian sausage. I have already shared this recipe with my daughters.

I have now made this yummy soup several times. My family and coworkers all agree it's a "keeper!"

A bit too much spinach for my husband and me. I think I will substitute some zucchini next time. Other than that, it was easy to prepare and tasty to eat. Leftovers were even better.

DELISH!!

Great flavor and easy to make. I didn't have any Italian sausage so I used country sausage and added Italian seasoning and some fennel. Otherwise I pretty much made it as written and served it with small sandwiches. Great meal for the Fall.

Awesome! I made this for the first time when I got my magazine in the mail...and make it probably once a month through the fall and winter. Everyone that tastes it raves! Simple and very delicious.

I made this recipe as written and it was delicious!!! My husband loved it too and it will definitely be a repeat in my house.

My mom gave me this recipe a few years ago, she used zucchini instead of spinach. I've used either one, or green beans! Delcious!

I added left over chicken, cilantro, celery and sundried tomatoes - DELICIOUS... no one knew they were eating leftovers. I kept the sausages also but used chicken/apple sausages.

Awesome! We used 4 regular italian sausage links, rather than the 3 italian turkey sausage links suggested. Also, I kept the casings on the sausage - much easier.

I make this all the time, light, healthy and delicious!

This soup is fantastic!! Major raves reviews and seconds by all made this pot disappear quickly.

I love this recipe!!! I have used ground beef or regular Italian sausage.