Description
This hearty Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Kale is a comforting Italian-inspired dish that combines savory sausage, tender tortellini, and nutritious kale in a rich tomato and cream broth. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner, this soup is easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage, ground or casing removed
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 quart chicken stock
- 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 bunch curly kale, stemmed and roughly torn
- 10 ounces fresh tortellini
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese, grated for serving (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the sausage and aromatics: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, onions, and garlic and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the sausage is browned and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Drain any excessive fat from the pot.
- Add liquids and simmer: Whisk in the chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste until well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add sea salt. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until slightly reduced, about 15 minutes.
- Cook kale, tortellini, and finish with cream: Stir in the kale, tortellini, and heavy cream. Cook until the kale is wilted and the pasta is tender, about 3-5 minutes.
- Serve with garnishes: Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, if desired, before serving.
Notes
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- Fresh tortellini cooks quickly, so do not overcook it to avoid mushiness.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or omit it entirely.
- Kale can be substituted with Swiss chard or spinach if preferred.
- To make the soup gluten free, use gluten free tortellini.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
