Cozy Tortellini Soup with Sausage and Kale Recipe

Warm, comforting bowls of tortellini soup with sausage and kale beckon on chilly evenings, promising a hearty meal that satisfies deep hunger.

Robust Italian sausage mingles with tender cheese-filled pasta, creating layers of rich flavor.

Leafy kale adds a vibrant green punch and nutritious depth to this rustic soup.

Each spoonful delivers a delightful combination of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.

Simmering slowly, the ingredients blend into a harmonious symphony of comfort and nourishment.

The aromatic broth promises to chase away winter’s chill and warm you from the inside out.

Grab a ladle and dive into this soul-warming culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

What’s in Tortellini Soup with Kale

• Sausage: Adds rich, meaty depth and creates a hearty base for the soup with its savory, spiced character.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a robust liquid foundation that carries the soup's complex flavors and enhances overall taste.

• Onion, Carrot, Celery: Classic flavor-building trio that creates a sweet and earthy foundation for the soup.
• Garlic: Brings intense, pungent notes that elevate the entire dish's aromatic profile.
• Thyme: Adds delicate, herbaceous undertones that complement the robust sausage and vegetables.
• Bay Leaf: Contributes subtle, complex flavor and helps round out the soup's overall taste.
• Kale: Introduces nutrient-dense, slightly bitter greens that add texture and vibrant color.

• Tortellini: Transforms the soup into a hearty, satisfying meal with its delightful cheese-filled pasta pockets.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and provides a smooth, rich base for cooking.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance all the soup's flavors.

Tools Needed for the Tortellini Soup

• Large Saucepan or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking the soup, provides ample space for ingredients and even heat distribution.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for breaking apart sausage and stirring ingredients without scratching the pan.
• Slotted Spoon: Helps remove cooked sausage while leaving excess fat behind.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for seasoning with salt and pepper accurately.

Directions for Sausage Tortellini Soup

• Sausage Sizzle

Brown your favorite sausage in a large pot, breaking it into tasty morsels. The sizzling sounds and rich aroma will get your kitchen buzzing with excitement.

• Veggie Harmony

Toss in a colorful mix of carrots, onions, and celery. Let them dance and soften, creating a delicious foundation for your soup. Sprinkle some salt and pepper to wake up their flavors.

• Herb Magic

Introduce minced garlic, fresh thyme, and a bay leaf. These aromatic herbs will transform your soup from ordinary to extraordinary, filling your kitchen with an irresistible scent.

• Liquid Gold

Pour in chicken broth and let it simmer gently. This liquid will become the soul of your soup, carrying all the delicious flavors together.

• Green and Hearty

Add chopped kale and your cooked sausage to the pot. Drop in plump tortellini and let everything bubble together until the pasta is perfectly tender.

• Final Touch

Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and get ready to enjoy a comforting meal that hugs you from the inside out.

Tips for Heartier Tortellini Soup

• Swap Italian sausage with chicken or turkey sausage for a leaner protein option that keeps the soup's robust flavor profile.
• Toss in extra leafy greens like spinach or Swiss chard alongside kale to increase the soup's vitamin and mineral content while adding delightful texture variety.
• Prepare double the batch and freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months – perfect for busy weeknights when cooking feels overwhelming.
• Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino Romano cheese on top just before serving to add a salty, nutty depth that elevates the entire soup's taste experience.
• Replace traditional wheat tortellini with gluten-free tortellini, ensuring everyone can enjoy this comforting meal without compromising on flavor or satisfaction.

Serving the Soup with Style

• Cozy Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty tortellini soup with a crusty Italian bread to soak up all the delicious broth and add a delightful crunch to your meal.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan or pecorino romano on top just before serving to enhance the soup's rich, savory flavors and add a delectable cheesy finish.
• Winter Warmth Combo: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting dish.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the soup with a medium-bodied red wine like chianti or a crisp white wine such as pinot grigio to elevate the entire dining experience and bring out the sausage's robust flavors.

Storage Tips for Soup

• Soup Storage Strategies: Transfer cooled soup to airtight containers, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Separate liquid from solid ingredients helps maintain optimal texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Carefully pack soup without tortellini for best results. Freeze flat in freezer-safe bags up to 2 months. Add fresh tortellini when reheating to prevent pasta from becoming mushy.
• Quick Reheating Tips: Warm soup gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally. Add small splash of chicken broth to restore original consistency. Avoid high heat to prevent overcooking delicate pasta.
• Portion Control Magic: Divide soup into individual meal-sized containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Label with date and contents to track freshness. Small portions thaw faster and reduce waste.

Hearty Tortellini Soup

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Homemade tortellini soup with sausage and kale brings hearty Italian comfort to winter dinner tables. Rich broth, tender pasta, spicy sausage, and nutrient-packed kale create a satisfying meal that warms souls and delights palates.

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Ingredients

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• ½ pound (226 g) bulk mild Italian sausage
• 6 cups (1.4 L) chicken stock
• 1 10-oz (280 g) package fresh or frozen spinach tortellini
• 1 bunch curly leaf kale (about 6 oz / 170 g), large veins removed and torn into large pieces
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsps chopped fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then crumble sausage and brown thoroughly until golden, releasing deep, rich flavors.
2. Vegetable Foundation: Remove sausage, maintain pan heat, and sauté carrots, onions, and celery with salt and pepper until softened and caramelized, creating a flavor-packed base.
3. Aromatic Infusion: Add garlic, thyme, and bay leaf, stirring briefly to unleash their fragrant essences and enhance the soup’s depth.
4. Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the vegetable mixture, allowing ingredients to simmer and harmonize for several minutes.
5. Final Assembly: Incorporate kale leaves, previously cooked sausage, and tortellini into the simmering broth, cooking until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture.
6. Seasoning Refinement: Adjust salt and pepper to balance flavors, ensuring a well-rounded taste profile across the entire soup.
7. Serving Presentation: Ladle steaming soup into bowls, presenting a hearty, nutrient-rich meal ready to warm and satisfy.

Notes

• Meat Browning Technique: Crumble sausage into small pieces for even cooking and maximum flavor development, ensuring a golden-brown exterior that adds depth to the soup’s base.
• Vegetable Sauté Strategy: Allow carrots, onions, and celery to caramelize slightly, creating a rich flavor foundation that enhances the overall taste profile of the soup.
• Herb Infusion Tip: Add fresh thyme and garlic briefly to prevent burning while maximizing their aromatic qualities and releasing maximum flavor into the broth.
• Kale Preparation Hint: Tear kale leaves into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and prevent stringy texture, creating a more enjoyable eating experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg