Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup
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This Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup recipe is packed with rich flavor. It makes an easy yet hearty dinner – perfect for those nights when you want something warm and cozy without a lot of hassle.
Pasta is on my short list of go-to comfort foods because it’s hearty and filling, and typically accompanied by a flavorful sauce. And most pasta recipes come together quickly, like this easy cheesy penne pasta bake, making them an easy choice for busy moms.
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
This easy tortellini soup recipe combines tender pasta with a rich tomato broth and hearty Italian sausage for a filling, easy dinner. Serve it with garlic bread or crusty rolls and you’ve got a complete meal.
If that isn’t enough of a reason to give this recipe a try, you’ll appreciate that it uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and freezer. And clocking in at less than an hour to make, makes it perfect for busy nights.
This is one of my favorite soup recipes to make for my family because it requires very little prep. And it’s a great way to feed a crowd because you can easily double or triple the recipe.
Another quick soup we enjoy is this easy Italian penicillin soup recipe – it’s sure to warm you up!
Italian Tortellini Soup Ingredients
- ground sweet Italian sausage – use spicy if you like a bit of heat
- tortellini – we used frozen cheese-filled for this recipe
- canned tomatoes – enhances the flavor of the broth
- tomato sauce – adds richness to the soup base
- chicken broth – ties all the ingredients together
- onion – we used a sweet white onion but you can also use yellow if that’s what you have on hand
- herbs & spices – minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper are used to enhance the flavors
- shaved Parmesan cheese – this optional garnish adds a tasty finishing touch
How to Make Rustic Tortellini Soup Recipe
This easy soup recipe is one of those dishes you can’t really mess up. And it’s easy to throw together – requiring just 10 minutes of prep time!
Saute the onion and crumble the sausage in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cooking until the meat is browned and the onions are soft. Mix in the garlic. (I use a Chop Stir to break up the meat – it makes nice crumbles.)
Add the tomatoes, sauce, broth, water and seasonings to the meat mixture and mix well.
Heat the soup base to boiling then reduce the heat to low for 20-ish minutes.
Bring the soup to a boil and add the tortellini. Cook until the pasta is tender (about 7-10 minutes).
Top with the shaved parmesan garnish if using.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Use ground turkey or chicken sausages in place of the Italian sausage for a healthier option.
- Substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth if that’s what you have on hand.
- Refrigerated fresh tortellini can be used in place of the frozen pasta. You may need to shorten the cook time if you make this switch.
Can you make this soup ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the sausage and broth the night before or morning of, then store it in the frig. When dinner time rolls around just heat up the broth to a boil, add the tortellini and cook until tender.
What to serve with this tasty soup
Pair this hearty soup with a loaf of good, crusty bread or garlic bread and you have a delicious dinner in under an hour. And we highly recommend adding the parmesan garnish – it’s delish!
How to Store Leftover Soup with Tortellini
Store cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. You may need to add additional broth when reheating (the pasta really soaks up the broth when stored).
More Easy Dinner Recipes:
Taco Soup
Teriyaki Meatball Bowls
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Stuffed Pepper Soup
My version of this recipe is inspired by my friend Kelly B. She contributed dozens of crockpots of this delicious soup to the high school concession stand over the years. It remains a family favorite to this day.
Your family will love this warm, comforting soup because it features a flavorful broth and is packed with savory sausage. And you’ll love it because you can have dinner on the table in under an hour. If you make this recipe don’t forget to share your results with us by leaving a comment below.
This recipe was originally posted on 11/11/20 and updated on 4/11/25.
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Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sweet Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 14 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 16 ounce can tomato sauce
- 32 ounces low sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 16 ounce package frozen tortellini
- shaved parmesan, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the sausage and diced onion, crumbling the sausage as it cooks. Continue sautéing until the sausage is no longer pink and the onions are soft. Add minced garlic to the sausage mixture and stir to combine.1 pound ground sweet Italian sausage, 1/2 cup diced onion, 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, water, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.14 ounce can diced tomatoes, 16 ounce can tomato sauce, 32 ounces low sodium chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups water, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce temperature to low. Allow soup to simmer for 20-30 minutes.
- Add the tortellini to the boiling soup and simmer until the pasta is tender (about 8-10 minutes).16 ounce package frozen tortellini
- Top with shaved parmesan, if using.
Notes
- Substitute hot Italian sausage for a spicier soup.
- Use vegetable broth in place of the chicken if that’s what you have on hand.
- Swap out refrigerated pasta for the frozen – you may need to lessen the cook time for the fresh pasta.
- Recipe can be doubled or tripled for serving larger groups.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove top. You may need to add additional liquid if the soup seems a little dry.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
