If you are searching for a cozy, comforting meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, this Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup with Kale Recipe is your new best friend. Packed with hearty sausage, tender cheese tortellini, and a generous handful of nutritious kale, all swimming in a luscious, creamy broth, it’s the kind of soup that satisfies both your hunger and your soul. Perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends, this soup delivers on flavor and ease, bringing a lovely Italian-inspired dish right to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup with Kale Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients. Each element plays a big role in bringing vibrant colors, rich flavors, and delightful textures to the table. From the aromatic garlic and onion to the smoky sausage and fresh kale, every bite is an experience.
- 1 medium onion (minced): Adds a subtle sweetness and foundational flavor to the soup.
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil: Used for sautéing, it infuses a gentle, fruity richness.
- 12 oz smoked sausage (cut in half rounds): Provides smoky, savory depth and satisfying protein.
- 6 cloves garlic (minced): Brings a punch of aromatic warmth and zest.
- 2 tbsp tomato paste: Enhances umami and gives a slight tangy richness.
- 1 tsp oregano: Offers classic herbal notes, perfect for Italian-inspired dishes.
- 1 bay leaf: Infuses the broth with subtle, complex flavor.
- 6 cups chicken stock: Forms the savory, comforting base of the soup.
- 14 oz petite diced tomatoes: Adds a fresh, tangy brightness and texture.
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt (or more to taste): Balances and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 bunch kale (stems removed and chopped into thin strips or use spinach): Brings earthy greens and healthy nutrients.
- 10 oz cheese tortellini (fresh not dried): Melts into the broth, creating a silky, comforting bite.
- 1 cup heavy cream: Rounds out the soup with irresistible creaminess.
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (shaved for garnish): Adds a salty, nutty finish to each bowl.
How to Make Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup with Kale Recipe
Step 1: Start with a Sizzle
Begin by heating a large Dutch oven or a sturdy soup pot over medium-high heat, warming up your workspace for success. This initial step lets you build flavor from the very beginning, ensuring every component melds perfectly.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Add the olive oil and minced onions, sautéing them gently for about five minutes until they soften and become translucent. This soft base releases sweet and fragrant notes that are simply irresistible.
Step 3: Brown the Sausage
Next, toss in your sliced smoked sausage and cook until it’s beautifully browned, about three minutes. This quick sear locks in smoky goodness and adds a satisfying texture contrast that will elevate your soup.
Step 4: Build Depth with Garlic and Tomato Paste
Lower the heat to medium-low, then stir in the minced garlic, oregano, and tomato paste. Let this mixture cook for about a minute, allowing those flavors to deepen and mingle, creating a rich, fragrant foundation.
Step 5: Swimming in Flavorful Broth
Pour in the chicken stock along with the bay leaf and petite diced tomatoes. Bring everything to a boil, season generously with kosher salt, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes. This simmering journey helps all the flavors marry beautifully.
Step 6: Prep Your Greens While You Wait
While your soup simmers, prep the kale by stripping the leaves from the stems and chopping into thin strips. This quick task adds vibrant color and a nutritional boost to the upcoming finishing stages of your soup.
Step 7: Final Touches – Tortellini, Kale, and Cream
Remove the bay leaf from the pot, then stir in the chopped kale, fresh cheese tortellini, and heavy cream. Turn the heat down to medium-low, allowing the soup to gently simmer for three to five minutes until the kale wilts and the tortellini cooks to tender perfection.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Once your soup is done, take it off the heat and ladle it into bowls. Sprinkle each serving generously with shaved Parmesan cheese and pair with crusty bread if you like. Dive in while it’s warm for a soul-satisfying meal!
How to Serve Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup with Kale Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling shaved Parmesan cheese on top immediately adds a luxurious salty tang that contrasts beautifully with the creamy broth. For extra flair, a few red pepper flakes or fresh cracked black pepper can add a touch of spice and intrigue.
Side Dishes
Because this soup is so rich and filling, lighter sides pair perfectly. Consider a crisp green salad dressed simply with lemon vinaigrette or a slice of warm, crusty artisan bread to soak up every last drop of that delicious broth.
Creative Ways to Present
For casual gatherings, serve the soup in rustic mugs or mini crocks, perfect for cozy evenings. Alternatively, ladle the soup over a slice of toasted garlic bread for an irresistible open-faced twist that’s sure to impress friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup with Kale Recipe keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to three days. Store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness, and remember to stir well before reheating as the tortellini may absorb some of the broth.
Freezing
While freezing is possible, it’s best to exclude the cream and tortellini when freezing leftovers to preserve texture. Freeze the broth, sausage, and kale separately, then add fresh cream and fresh tortellini when reheating to keep the soup tasting its best.
Reheating
Warm the soup gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If you’ve frozen components separately, add the tortellini and cream last to avoid overcooking. This way, the soup remains creamy and the pasta perfectly tender.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sausage?
Absolutely! While smoked sausage adds a fantastic smoky flavor, you can swap it for Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or even chorizo depending on your taste preferences. Just adjust seasoning as needed.
Is it okay to use frozen tortellini?
Fresh tortellini is ideal because it cooks quickly and absorbs the flavors evenly, but frozen tortellini works too. Just add a couple extra minutes to your simmering time to ensure it’s cooked through.
Can I substitute the kale with spinach?
Yes, spinach is a wonderful alternative if you prefer a milder green. It wilts even faster, so add it towards the end of cooking for best results to keep its tender texture.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Simply replace the heavy cream with coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative, and use a plant-based cheese for garnish. This swap keeps the soup creamy without compromising flavor.
What can I do if the soup is too thick?
If the soup thickens too much after cooling or during reheating, just stir in a splash of chicken stock or water to reach your desired consistency. Warm gently and stir well.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup with Kale Recipe has quickly become one of my all-time favorites for good reason. It’s hearty, comforting, and brimming with flavor that feels both homey and special. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining friends, it hits all the right notes. Trust me, once you try it, this soup will be a cherished staple in your recipe collection. So get your pot, gather those fresh ingredients, and dive into a bowl of pure comfort!
Print
Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup with Kale Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A rich and comforting Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup featuring smoked sausage, tender kale, and cheese-filled tortellini in a flavorful tomato and chicken broth base finished with heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a cozy meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 medium onion (minced)
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 14 oz petite diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt (or more to taste)
Meat and Greens
- 12 oz smoked sausage (cut in half rounds)
- 1 bunch kale (stems removed and chopped into thin strips or use spinach)
Pasta and Dairy
- 10 oz cheese tortellini (fresh, not dried)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (shaved for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the pot: Heat a large dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat to prepare for sautéing.
- Sauté onions: Add olive oil and minced onions to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes until they soften and become translucent.
- Cook sausage: Add the smoked sausage cut into half rounds and sauté for 3 minutes until browned, developing flavor.
- Add aromatics: Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the garlic, oregano, and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Simmer broth: Pour in chicken stock, add bay leaf and diced tomatoes, bring the mixture to a boil, season with kosher salt, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes.
- Prep greens: While soup simmers, remove kale stems and chop the leaves into thin strips for easy incorporation.
- Add kale, pasta, and cream: Remove bay leaf from soup, add the prepared kale, cheese tortellini, and heavy cream. Simmer on medium-low for 3-5 minutes until the kale is wilted and the tortellini is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove soup from heat, ladle into bowls, garnish with shaved parmesan cheese, and serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use fresh cheese tortellini for the best texture; dried tortellini can be substituted but will require a longer cooking time.
- Spinach can be used instead of kale for a milder flavor and quicker cooking time.
- Adjust the salt according to taste since the sausage and chicken stock can add varying levels of sodium.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
