Sausage Tortellini Soup is a hearty, comforting soup that is sure to warm you up on a cool fall or winter’s day. And it can be ready in 30!

As the days cool down, a hearty bowl of soup is just what the doctor ordered. Sometimes soups need to simmer and they can take a good potion of the day to cook. Not this Sausage Tortellini Soup though! This delectable tummy warming soup can be on your table in about 30 minutes.

That makes it perfect for even the busiest of weeknights.

And if soup intimidates you because it always has a lot of ingredients, then I’ve got even more good news for you. This can be put together with just a handful of ingredients. Let’s talk bout them!

Ingredients you’ll need: 

Sausage tortellini ingredients.
  • ITALIAN SAUSAGE: You can use mild or hot, depending on your preference. If you can only find links simply remove the casings. 
  • OLIVE OIL: To help brown the sausage and onions. 
  • LOW-SODIUM CHICKEN BROTH: Make sure to use low-sodium so you can control the final saltiness of the dish. 
  • LOW-SODIUM VEGETABLE BROTH: Also use low-sodium here too. I like the combo but you can use only vegetable broth or only chicken broth. 
  • KALE: If you don’t like kale you can substitute spinach but spinach won’t need to cook that long only a couple minutes. 
  • DRIED BASIL: Dried basil will hold up a little better in soup than fresh. 
  • CHEESE TORTELLINI: I used fresh tortellini but you can also use frozen, you’ll just need to cook it a bit longer. 
  • SALT AND PEPPER

Step by Step Photos And Instructions: 

Unlike some soups, this Sausage Tortellini Soup comes together relatively easy and relatively quickly. Follow along with these step by step photos and instructions to see just how easy it is. 

  • STEP #1: Cook sausage and olive oil in a large soup pot. Drain sausage. 
  • STEP #2: Add onions and garlic to reserved pan drippings and sauté until softened. 
  • STEP #3: Return sausage to the pan and add in both broths. Stir in kale and basil. Cook just until the basil starts to wilt, about 10 min. 
  • STEP #4: Add in tortellini and cooked until softened and warmed through about 5 min. 

Storage and Leftovers:

Because pasta tends to absorb the liquid that it is stored in, I recommend eating this soup the day that it is made. If you have leftovers store them covered in the refrigerator. You may need to add more broth if you reheat it.

Spoonful of Sausage Tortellini Soup.

Looking for more soup recipes? Check these out:

Creamy Steak and Mushroom Soup is comfort in a bowl!

Classic Split Pea Soup with Ham Hocks is a personal favorite of mine! It’s so hearty and filling!

Ham and Potato Soup is a great way to use leftover ham!

Nothing warms you up like a bowl of New England Clam Chowder on a cold winter’s day!

Note: This recipe was originally written in 2010. It was updated with new photos, recipe notes and nutrition information in 2022.

Sausage Tortellini Soup
5m
Prep
30m
Cook
35m
Total

Servings

4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
  • 1/2 medium onion (diced)
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 bunch (8 - 10 ounces kale, chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 9 ounces fresh cheese tortellini
  • fresh cracked pepper and kosher salt

Instructions

  1. In a large soup pot, cook sausage over medium heat until browned, using a spoon to break the sausage into bite size pieces. Once browned transfer to a plate and set aside.
  2. Reserve 1 tablespoon of pan drippings, if there isn't enough pan drippings add 1 tablespoon olive oil. To the pan drippings add onion and garlic, cook 5 minutes or until onion is softened.
  3. Return sausage to pan. Pour in chicken and vegetable broth. Stir in kale and basil. Cook for 10 - 15 minutes or until kale is wilted.
  4. After kale has wilted, stir in tortellini and cook for 5 minutes or until the tortellini is soft and warmed through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  5. Ladle into soup bowls. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories
680
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 46g 59%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 110mg 37%
Sodium 1177mg 51%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 31g
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Rate this recipe:
Deseree

Whether it is cooking it, eating it, shopping for it or watching TV about it, food is one of my favorite things.

10 Reviews

  1. Chicken Sausage and Cheese Tortellini Soup March 5, 2016

    […] For inspirations, you thank Great Food Fast by Bob Warden, Taste of Home, and Life’s Ambrosia. […]

  2. Tortellini Reimagined: 9 Outside-the-Box Recipes | Cooking All That October 8, 2015

    […] up to a soup that goes down light but feels comfort-food satisfying. Get Life’s Ambrosia’s Sausage, Kale, and Tortellini Soup […]

  3. Stacy’s Top Picks Delightful Tortellini Recipes | Stacy's Club July 27, 2015

    […] Recipe via lifesambrosia.com […]

  4. Tanja Fussell August 12, 2011

    I’m trying this one with the kale today for a friend who’s down in the dumps with a broken foot. Never had kale before!!

  5. Kevin January 18, 2010

    What a tasty looking soup!

  6. Tanja Fussell January 16, 2010

    Thanks Deseree! I did use the spinach and my eldest loved it as did I! I’ll be taking this one to work next week. Thanks!!!!!

  7. Deseree January 16, 2010

    Hi Tanja- I hope your family loves it. As a spinach lover myself, I think you could substitute spinach for kale. Spinach does wilt a lot faster than kale so I would actually add the tortellini to the soup first then after it becomes tender, add the spinach. The spinach should only take a couple of minutes to wilt. Hope this helps!

  8. Tanja Fussell January 16, 2010

    This looks and sounds awesome! We are going to try it tonight. Would you be able to comment: Do you think we could substitute spinach for kale? I’m not sure my family would eat the kale. If not, it’ll be an experiment :) .

  9. Michelle January 15, 2010

    I just started adding kale to soups and we have become fast fans. This sure sounds hearty and delicious for these cold winter days!

  10. Maria January 14, 2010

    I love adding tortellini to soup. It makes it extra hearty. You might like this one:
    http://twopeasandtheirpod.com/tortellini-vegetable-soup/

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