Description
This Dutch Oven Tortellini Soup with Sausage is a hearty, comforting dish combining savory Italian sausage, tender fresh tortellini, and a rich tomato and cream-based broth. Simmered slowly with aromatic herbs and fresh vegetables, it’s an ideal meal for cozy nights, delivering robust flavors and satisfying textures in every bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Base
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Vegetables
- 5 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
Herbs and Pasta
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 8 oz fresh tortellini pasta
Finishing Touches
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
- Parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: In a dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat and add the Italian sausage. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5-7 minutes until browned. Remove the sausage and drain on a paper-lined plate.
- Prepare the base: Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the sausage drippings from the pan. Using the remaining drippings, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Stir in the beef broth, water, diced tomatoes, shredded carrot, dried basil, dried oregano, tomato sauce, and the drained sausage pieces. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the soup: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer uncovered for 30 minutes to meld flavors.
- Finish initial cooking: After 30 minutes, skim off any visible fat from the surface. Stir in 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, then cover the dutch oven and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes on low heat.
- Add tortellini and cream: Stir in the fresh tortellini pasta and heavy cream. Cook for another 10 minutes until the tortellini is tender and the soup is creamy.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional fresh parsley, chopped fresh basil, and grated Parmesan cheese for a flavorful finish.
Notes
- Use a dutch oven for slow cooking to deepen and blend all the flavors perfectly.
- This soup makes a hearty, comforting meal perfect for chilly days.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a cream alternative.
- Fresh tortellini cooks quickly; avoid overcooking to keep pasta tender.
- Feel free to adjust herbs to taste or add extra vegetables like spinach for additional nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Sodium: 1667 milligrams
- Fat: 43 grams
- Saturated Fat: 19 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 grams
- Trans Fat: 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: 29 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Cholesterol: 105 milligrams
