Save A hearty comforting soup featuring spicy Italian sausage sweet potatoes and cheese tortellini all simmered in an herby creamy broth and finished with fresh spinach for a satisfying meal on chilly evenings.
I first enjoyed making this soup on a cold evening and it quickly became a family favorite for its rich flavors and satisfying ingredients.
Ingredients
- Sausage and Seasoning: 12 oz (340 g) spicy Italian sausage crumbled, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked), 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (plus more to taste)
- Vegetables and Flavorings: 1 large sweet potato (about 12 oz / 340 g) peeled and cubed (or 2 small sweet potatoes), 5 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 4 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme), 4 oz (115 g) fresh spinach
- Liquids and Pasta: 6 cups water, 8 oz (225 g) refrigerated three-cheese tortellini, 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Heat olive oil in a large high-sided pot over medium heat. Add the crumbled sausage and cook stirring frequently until browned and cooked through about 57 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Step 2:
- Sprinkle cooked sausage with Italian seasoning and paprika. Stir well to coat.
- Step 3:
- Add cubed sweet potatoes minced garlic red pepper flakes and tomato paste. Mix thoroughly to combine.
- Step 4:
- Pour in the water. Increase heat and bring to a boil stirring to dissolve the tomato paste.
- Step 5:
- Once boiling reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
- Step 6:
- Add the tortellini to the soup. Cover and cook at a gentle boil for 10 minutes or according to package instructions until pasta is just tender.
- Step 7:
- Stir in fresh spinach and cook until just wilted about 1 minute.
- Step 8:
- Remove the pot from heat. Gently stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated.
- Step 9:
- Season to taste with salt (if needed) and additional red pepper flakes for extra heat. Top with fresh thyme before serving.
Save This recipe always brings our family together especially on chilly nights when we share stories over a warm comforting bowl.
Required Tools
Large high-sided pot with lid Cutting board and knife Wooden spoon or spatula Ladle Measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (tortellini) Milk (tortellini heavy cream) Egg (tortellini possibly sausage) May contain Soy (check sausage and tortellini labels) Sulfites (in sausage) If in doubt double-check all ingredient packaging for allergen information.
Nutritional Information
Calories ~410 Total Fat 25 g Carbohydrates 28 g Protein 16 g
Save This soup is perfect for easy weeknight dinners and meal prepping for the week ahead.
Recipe Guide
- → Can I use frozen tortellini instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen tortellini works well. Just follow the package instructions for cooking time and add it during the simmering stage.
- → How can I make this dish less spicy?
Use sweet Italian sausage instead of spicy, and reduce or omit the red pepper flakes to suit your heat preference.
- → Is it possible to prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it in advance and freeze. For best results, omit the cream before freezing and add it when reheating.
- → Can dried thyme substitute fresh thyme here?
Dried thyme is a good substitute; use about 1 teaspoon dried thyme for every 4 tablespoons of fresh thyme.
- → What can I serve alongside this dish?
Crusty bread pairs wonderfully, adding texture and making the meal more filling.