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:

- 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.

Brown sausage. 
Sauté onions and garlic. 
Add both broths, basil and kale. Cook until kale softens 10 -15 minutes. 
Add tortellini cook 5 minutes.
- 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.

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.
Servings
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ladle into soup bowls. Serve hot.

[…] For inspirations, you thank Great Food Fast by Bob Warden, Taste of Home, and Life’s Ambrosia. […]
[…] up to a soup that goes down light but feels comfort-food satisfying. Get Life’s Ambrosia’s Sausage, Kale, and Tortellini Soup […]
[…] Recipe via lifesambrosia.com […]
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!!
What a tasty looking soup!
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!!!!!
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!
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 :) .
I just started adding kale to soups and we have become fast fans. This sure sounds hearty and delicious for these cold winter days!
I love adding tortellini to soup. It makes it extra hearty. You might like this one:
http://twopeasandtheirpod.com/tortellini-vegetable-soup/