Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

A rich, cozy one-pot soup perfect for busy weeknights

---

Simple Introduction

Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup is everything we crave when comfort food is calling—rich, hearty, warming, and deeply satisfying. This is the kind of soup that fills your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of browned Italian sausage, garlic, herbs, and simmering vegetables. Every spoonful delivers tender cheese-filled tortellini, creamy broth, savory sausage, and bursts of freshness from spinach and thyme.

What makes this Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup especially appealing is how effortlessly it comes together. Despite tasting like something that simmered all afternoon, it’s a true one-pot recipe ready in about 40 minutes. That makes it ideal for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, or anytime you want a meal that feels indulgent without being complicated.

The balance of flavors is what sets this soup apart. Spicy or mild Italian sausage adds richness and depth, sweet potatoes bring gentle sweetness and body, tortellini add a satisfying, cheesy bite, and cream ties everything together into a velvety, luxurious broth. It’s comforting without being heavy, filling without being overwhelming, and flexible enough to adapt to your personal taste.

Whether you’re serving it with crusty bread, a simple salad, or enjoying it on its own, Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again.

---

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 30 minutes

• Total Time: 40 minutes

• Course: Soup

• Cuisine: American, Italian, Mediterranean

• Servings: 6

• Calories (per serving): ~430 kcal

---

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

This Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup checks all the boxes for a perfect comfort-food recipe:

It’s a true one-pot meal. Everything cooks in a single pot, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. Perfect for hectic evenings.

It’s rich and cozy without being complicated. No long simmering times, no special techniques—just straightforward steps that deliver big results.

It’s customizable. Mild or spicy sausage, extra veggies, lighter cream options—this soup adapts beautifully to what you have on hand.

It’s filling enough to be a full meal. With protein from sausage, carbs from tortellini and sweet potatoes, and greens from spinach, it’s balanced and satisfying.

It reheats well. This soup tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for meal prep or leftovers.

---

Ingredients Breakdown & Helpful Tips

Understanding each ingredient helps you get the very best results from your Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup.

Italian Sausage (12 oz)

The backbone of flavor. Spicy Italian sausage adds warmth and depth, while mild sausage keeps things family-friendly. You can also use chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter version.

Tip: Remove the casings so the sausage browns evenly and distributes throughout the soup.

Olive Oil (1 tablespoon)

Used to help brown the sausage and prevent sticking. If your sausage is very fatty, you may need less oil.

Italian Seasoning (1 tablespoon)

A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary that reinforces the Italian-inspired flavor profile.

Paprika (1 teaspoon)

Adds subtle warmth and color. Smoked paprika brings an extra layer of richness.

Sweet Potato (1 large or 2 small)

Sweet potatoes add gentle sweetness, body, and nutrition. They balance the savory sausage beautifully.

Tip: Cut into small, even cubes so they cook quickly and evenly.

Garlic (5 cloves)

Garlic provides aromatic depth and savory backbone. Fresh garlic is strongly recommended.

Red Pepper Flakes (¼ teaspoon, optional)

Adds gentle heat. Adjust to taste or omit entirely for a milder soup.

Tomato Paste (1 tablespoon)

This small amount adds richness, umami, and a subtle tomato depth without overpowering the creaminess.

Water (6 cups)

Keeps the soup light and lets the sausage flavor shine. Chicken broth can be substituted for extra richness.

Refrigerated Three-Cheese Tortellini (8 oz)

The star ingredient. Cheese-filled tortellini turn this soup into a hearty, satisfying meal.

Tip: Refrigerated tortellini works best for texture, but frozen can also be used with slightly longer cooking time.

Fresh Spinach (4 oz)

Adds freshness, color, and nutrients. Baby spinach wilts quickly and blends seamlessly into the soup.

Heavy Cream (½ cup)

Creates the luxurious, creamy broth that defines this soup.

Tip: For a lighter option, substitute half-and-half or evaporated milk.

Fresh Thyme (4 tablespoons or 1½ teaspoons dried)

Thyme adds a fresh, earthy note that brightens the richness of the soup.

Salt (to taste)

Season at the end, as sausage and tortellini already contain salt.

---

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large, high-sided pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Brown thoroughly until no pink remains.

Drain excess grease if needed, leaving enough fat to flavor the base of the soup.

2. Season the Sausage

Sprinkle Italian seasoning and paprika over the sausage. Stir well so the spices coat the meat evenly and become fragrant.

3. Add Vegetables & Aromatics

Add the cubed sweet potato, minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), and tomato paste. Stir continuously for about 1–2 minutes to coat everything and lightly cook the garlic.

4. Add Liquid

Pour in the water and stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This step builds deep flavor in your Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup.

5. Simmer

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

6. Cook the Tortellini

Add the tortellini to the pot, cover again, and cook according to package instructions (about 8–10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

7. Add Spinach

Stir in the fresh spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1–2 minutes.

8. Finish with Cream

Remove the pot from heat and stir in the heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and extra red pepper flakes if desired.

9. Serve

Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh thyme, and serve hot.

---

Tips for Success

• No broth needed: The sausage provides plenty of flavor, but chicken broth can be used for extra richness.

• Adjust spice level: Use mild sausage and skip red pepper flakes for a gentler soup.

• Cream separation: The soup may look slightly grainy after refrigeration—this is normal. Stir well while reheating and it will smooth out.

• Don’t overcook tortellini: Add them toward the end to avoid mushy pasta.

• Taste before salting: Sausage and tortellini already contain salt.

---

Variations & Substitutions

Make it lighter:
Swap heavy cream for half-and-half, evaporated milk, or even whole milk (the soup will be slightly thinner).

Make it dairy-free:
Use coconut milk or cashew cream and dairy-free tortellini.

Add more vegetables:
Mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, or carrots are excellent additions.

Make it extra hearty:
Add white beans or cannellini beans for additional protein and fiber.

Use different greens:
Kale or Swiss chard can replace spinach—just simmer a few extra minutes.

---

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator:
Store Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.

Reheating:
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of water or milk if the soup thickens too much.

Freezing:
Cream-based soups don’t freeze perfectly, but you can freeze it before adding cream and tortellini. Add them fresh when reheating.

---

Serving Suggestions

• Crusty bread or garlic bread

• Simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette

• Grated Parmesan or pecorino on top

• Extra red pepper flakes for heat

Print

Nutrition (Approximate, per serving)

• Calories: ~430 kcal

• Protein: 18–22 g

• Fat: ~28 g

• Carbohydrates: ~32 g

• Fiber: ~4 g

---

Final Thoughts

Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup is the definition of cozy comfort done right. It’s rich without being heavy, hearty without being complicated, and indulgent without requiring hours in the kitchen. This is the kind of recipe that earns a permanent place in your rotation—perfect for cold nights, busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or quiet evenings when you just want a warm bowl of something satisfying.

What truly makes this soup special is its balance. The savory depth of Italian sausage, the gentle sweetness of sweet potatoes, the creamy broth, and the cheesy tortellini all come together in harmony. Each ingredient has a purpose, and every spoonful feels complete.