Name: Creamy Sausage & Cheese Tortellini Soup
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 pound mild or hot Italian pork sausage, casings removed; 1 cup chopped yellow onion; 0.5 cup chopped carrot; 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves); 1 teaspoon salt-free dried Italian seasoning; 3 cups unsalted chicken broth; 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained; 1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini (such as Buitoni); 3.5 cups baby spinach; 1 cup half-and-half

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

6

Nutrition Profile:

Sesame-Free Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Protein

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Notes

Is Pork Sausage Nutritious?

Pork is a nutritious source of high-quality protein, provides several B vitamins and is a good source of choline, an essential nutrient for developing babies' brains and spinal cords during pregnancy. If you're concerned about the amount of fat in pork sausage, simply swap it out for turkey or chicken Italian sausage.

Are Canned Tomatoes Healthy?

Tomatoes are filled with antioxidants that help keep your heart, skin and eyes healthy. They're also an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of potassium and vitamin K. Cooking and canning tomatoes increases the availability of the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene has been shown to help protect skin from UV rays and may help protect from some cancers.

Is This Soup High-Protein?

Yes, this soup provides 24 grams of protein per serving, which fits within EatingWell's guidelines to be considered a high-protein dish. The primary contributors of protein in this soup are the sausage and the cheese tortellini.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

I Don't Have Salt-Free Dried Italian Seasoning, What Can I Use Instead?

You can make your own Italian seasoning blend with dried herbs from your pantry, like oregano, basil, thyme, sage and rosemary. Store in an airtight jar for up to 6 months.

Can I Use Frozen Cheese Tortellini?

Yes, you can! Cook according to the package directions until tender. Tortellini can be delicate, so don't overcook them or they'll fall apart in the soup.

Can I Use Milk Instead of Half-and-Half?

If you don't have half-and-half on hand, you can use whole milk instead. The soup will be slightly less creamy with a lighter broth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Creamy Sausage & Cheese Tortellini Soup Ahead?

To prevent the tortellini from getting too soggy, it's best to cook them right before serving. The broth can be made ahead, following the recipe through Step 2. Refrigerate the broth in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop, then proceed with Steps 3 and 4.

What Do You Eat with Tortellini Soup?

Serve this cheese tortellini soup with a simple side salad and crusty bread. It's also delicious paired with an Herb & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, a crunchy Fennel, Radish & Cucumber Salad or a Caesar Salad with Crispy Artichokes for dinner.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers and Jan Valdez

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound mild or hot Italian pork sausage, casings removed
1 cup chopped yellow onion
½ cup chopped carrot
1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
1 teaspoon salt-free dried Italian seasoning
3 cups unsalted chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained
1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini (such as Buitoni)
3 ½ cups baby spinach
1 cup half-and-half

Directions

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage; cook, stirring to crumble, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add onion and carrot; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and Italian seasoning; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir in broth and tomatoes; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium to maintain a simmer; cook, covered, until the carrots are tender, about 5 minutes.
Uncover and return to a boil over high heat. Add tortellini. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil; cook according to package directions.
Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in spinach and half-and-half. Stir gently until the spinach wilts, about 1 minute. Ladle the soup into 6 bowls.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, August 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

396	Calories
19g	Fat
33g	Carbs
24g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 1/3 cups
Calories 396
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 33g	12%
Dietary Fiber 3g	11%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 24g	48%
Total Fat 19g	24%
Saturated Fat 7g	35%
Cholesterol 54mg	18%
Vitamin A 3125IU	63%
Vitamin C 13mg	14%
Vitamin D 5IU	1%
Vitamin E 1mg	4%
Folate 10mcg	3%
Vitamin K 72mcg	60%
Sodium 745mg	32%
Calcium 158mg	12%
Iron 3mg	17%
Magnesium 23mg	5%
Potassium 302mg	6%
Zinc 1mg	9%
Vitamin B12 1mcg	42%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.