This Sausage Tortellini Soup is a tomato-based soup loaded with vegetables, Italian sausage and cheese tortellini. It’s the perfect cold weather soup and freezer friendly!
Got extra Italian sausage? Try my Italian Sausage Soup, this cozy Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage or this hearty Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup!
Table of Contents
This Sausage Tortellini Soup is the ultimate comfort food!
It’s big on flavor, thick and chunky, loaded with vegetables and tender cheese tortellini. Just don’t forget the crusty bread! (Or make a loaf of Cheesy Garlic Bread for Cheddar Bay Biscuits for dunking).
What we love about this Tortellini Soup:
- It’s hearty and filling — it really is a meal in one pot!
- It’s big on flavor – thanks to Italian sausage.
- It’s a well-rounded meal — with carbs, protein and veggies all in one pot.
- It’s made in one pot, which means less to scrub!
You can even make a big batch and stick some in the freezer — just leave out the tortellini until you’re serving it.
See what people are saying:
“This recipe is fabulous! I didn’t have Italian seasoning, so I just threw in some basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, as well as some red pepper and a couple of cloves of minced garlic. I was also low on tortellini, so I added half a package of gnocchi as well. My husband, sister, and myself all loved it! My sister even requested the recipe!” — Rachel
Sausage Tortellini Soup Ingredients:
- Italian sausage: you can use mild or spicy sausage here depending on your tastes! Italian turkey sausage also works well.
- Carrots, onion, celery: a classic mirepoix which is the base for many soup recipes. I don’t recommend substituting any of these ingredients unless you have to!
- Italian seasoning, garlic, salt: I kept my seasonings simple because the sausage adds so much flavor! Feel free to add or experiment as you like.
- Chicken broth: I always start with low sodium chicken broth and add salt as needed. If you start with salted broth, you may not need to add as much salt.
- Diced tomatoes and tomato sauce: Diced tomatoes add texture but you can swap them for crushed tomatoes if you prefer. Choose any marinara or tomato sauce that you enjoy — it will thicken the soup slightly and add lots of tomato flavor!
- Cheese tortellini: fresh or frozen works just fine here! You could substitute with another cheese-filled pasta if you prefer.
How to make Sausage Tortellini Soup:
This soup is easily made in one pot! Here is a brief overview with step by step photos. Find the complete recipe down in the recipe card.
- Brown Italian sausage and saute the vegetables. Add garlic and seasonings to toast briefly.
- Add the broth and tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
- Add tortellini and cook just until al dente.
- Stir in spinach if using.
How to freeze tortellini soup:
This soup can definitely be frozen! Keep in mind that pasta gets soft after being frozen, so if that’s not your thing then you may want to leave the pasta out until you’re ready to serve.
To freeze, simply cool to room temperature, then place in a large freezer bag or freezer container. I prefer to use freezer bags because they can be frozen flat and thaw out quickly in some lukewarm water.
Prep this soup ahead
You can prep this soup ahead by chopping all of your vegetables.
You can also cook the soup right through up until the point where you add the pasta, then cool and refrigerate and simply reheat and add the pasta before serving.
Variations on this Sausage Tortellini Soup:
- To make this Sausage Tortellini Soup dairy-free, omit the cheese tortellini and substitute regular pasta, and be sure to double check all of your ingredients.
- To make this soup gluten-free, omit the pasta and substitute gluten-free pasta or gluten-free tortellini if available.
- You can certainly add more veggies or swap mine out for the ones your family prefers: peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini would also be great in here!
- To make this soup even leaner, choose Italian turkey sausage instead of regular pork sausage.
- If you have a leftover Parmesan rind, feel free to throw that in the soup as it simmers for some incredible flavor!
The BEST Sausage Tortellini Soup
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage, (mild or spicy)
- 3 large carrots, (peeled and chopped)
- 1 onion, (finely chopped)
- 1 rib celery, (finely chopped)
- 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, (finely minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes, with juice (28oz or 798ml)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cheese tortellini, (9oz or 250g)
- 2 cups fresh, (chopped spinach)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
- Fresh chopped parsley, optional
Instructions
- In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, cook and stir the sausage over medium-high heat until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the carrots, onion, and celery. Cook and stir until the onion has softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the broth, tomatoes, and marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the carrots are almost tender.
- Stir in the tortellini. Cover and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, until al dente.
- Stir in the spinach, then taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Serve with the Parmesan and parsley, if desired.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Kay DeBolt says
WOW! So easy to make and ever so tasty. Followed exact recipe, although only used half an onion. Truly a stand out soup and was perfect for cold & rainy day.
Served with cornbread muffins. Yum!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kay! It’s one of our favorites!
Robin C Pauls says
I’m going to make this without sausage. It should be very good
Nicole says
This was so easy and delicious! I didn’t have carrots, so I added a bit of zucchini when I added the tortellini. I will definitely make this again and again!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Nicole! Zucchini is a great addition
Charetta Howell says
Tried this today, used zucchini instead of celery and it was a hit. So delicious and hearty. I will definitely make this again.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Charetta! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Mark Bodie says
This was absolutely delicious! We needed more soup though.
Jo says
Thank you!! This was grrrreat! And, it’s easy to make! I skipped the Italian seasoning to make it more kid friendly, and they loved it!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jo!
Kristan says
Loved the Tortellini soup! Very tasty! I added mushrooms instead of celery. Thank you!😊
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kristan!
Holly says
Can this be made in crockpot for how many hours
Thanks
Ashley Fehr says
Yes it could if you cook the sausage first. I would cook everything except the pasta together on low for 6-7 hours, then add the pasta for 30-60 minutes.
Dee Lawhon says
This sounds so Delicious!! Do you think I could substitute the spinach with cabbage??
Ashley Fehr says
Definitely! Cabbage will just cook quite a bit longer
DW says
Delicious, hearty & healthy. My picky 15 yo son couldn’t get enough of this! I did add white canellini beans for more protein. Served with a side Caesar salad and rolls. Awesome dinner!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad it went over well!
Michelle says
White canellini beans are perfect in this soup. I also added half bag of baby spinach. Terrific! Thanks for the idea.
Alicia says
I’ve made this soup a couple times and it is wonderful!! Whole family loved it!! I like to use some fresh grated Parmesan in my bowl.
The first time, I used mild Italian sausage and fresh tri-color tortellini purchased at Aldi.
The second time, those items were Johnsonville brand mild Italian sausage and Great Value brand frozen tortellini.
The first batch was the best!! The fresh tortellini from Aldi had a much better-tasting filling, and the soup looked so colorful and delicious to my family!
I always try to have the ingredients on hand because it is so easy to make!
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Alicia! I’m so happy to hear that!
Teri Manning says
Made this soup this afternoon on a cold, rainy day. Perfect! Thanks so much.
Teri from Dallas
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Teri!
Desiree says
This looks delicious, I can’t wait to try it !! Do you cook the tortellini in the soup or do you cook it prior, to putting it in the soup ?
Ashley Fehr says
I cook it in the soup!
Sharolyn says
So delicious!! I added a can of drained red kidney beans and spinach stirred in at the end. Will definitely be keeping this recipe to make again and again.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sharolyn!
Skye says
Love this recipe – the spicier the better. Leftovers taste great as well. I’ve added kale in the past too, excited to try mushrooms next!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Skye!
Jen says
I love how easily this soup comes together. I always get the double pack of tortellini from Costco and this is a great way to use up one of the packages and give my family a different meal. It’s so delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! I love having a stash in the freezer!
Kara says
So yummy! I used mild sausage so my kids wouldn’t complain, but I think next time I’ll try the hot for even more kick. 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kara!
Liz says
I made this for our family last week and had to come back to let you know how much we all loved it! The sausage was a delicious addition and I’ll be making it again and again.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Liz! It’s one of our favorites too!
Julie says
I love soup! Thanks for sharing! I made this one with a few alterations. Great!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Julie!
Betsy says
Super delicious! I’m not a big fan of sausage though ( I just never could bring myself to really enjoy the flavor) so I’m sondering if you think regular ground beef would do ok in here? I know it wouldn’t have the same flavor impact, but maybe if I increase the garlic a touch or something? Really good soup otherwise. I’m a huge fan of the tortellini in a tomato based soup! Yum.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Betsy! Yes you can definitely swap it for beef, I would just add some additional seasoning. Maybe a bit of spice.
Kristy says
Beef meatballs would be really good too!
Thad Phillips says
I used Spicy Itallian Sausage made from bear and it was delicious.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear that!