Description
This creamy tortellini soup is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a quick dinner. Made with a blend of vegetable broth, tomatoes, cheese tortellini, fresh spinach, and a touch of cream, it combines hearty and fresh ingredients into a smooth, luscious soup that’s easy to prepare in about 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Liquids & Broth
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
Herbs & Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces cheese tortellini (refrigerated)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach leaves (packed)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half and half)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add Garlic and Flour: Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly. Then sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir continuously for one more minute to cook out the raw flour taste and start to thicken the base.
- Add Broth and Tomatoes: Slowly pour in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce, stirring to combine without lumps. Add the Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Taste the broth and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Cook Tortellini: Bring the soup mixture to a gentle boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook for a few minutes, typically about 3-5 minutes, until the tortellini are tender and cooked through.
- Finish Soup: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the fresh spinach leaves, grated parmesan cheese, and heavy cream (or half and half) until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the soup, creating a creamy texture.
- Add Fresh Basil and Serve: Fold in the chopped fresh basil leaves. Serve the soup warm for best flavor and comfort.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce richness slightly.
- Use fresh or frozen spinach, adding frozen spinach straight from the freezer without thawing if desired.
- For a spicy kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
- Vegetarian friendly as it uses vegetable broth and no meat products.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
