Creamy Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Spinach

 

Creamy Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Spinach

Ingredients:

- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 1 medium onion, diced

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 teaspoon onion powder

- 1 teaspoon garlic powder

- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)

- 4 cups (960ml) chicken broth

- 1 package (9 oz / 255g) refrigerated cheese tortellini

- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened

- 2 cups (about 60g) fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Italian Sausage:

   - Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat.

   - Add the Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove any excess fat from the pot, if desired.

2. Sauté Onion and Garlic:

   - Add the diced onion to the pot with the cooked sausage. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.

   - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3. Add Seasonings and Broth:

   - Sprinkle the onion powder, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning over the sausage mixture. Stir well to combine.

   - Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

4. Simmer Soup:

   - Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

5. Cook Tortellini:

   - Add the cheese tortellini to the pot of simmering soup. Cook according to the package instructions until the tortellini is tender, usually about 7-9 minutes.

6. Add Cream Cheese and Spinach:

   - Once the tortellini is cooked, reduce the heat to low.

   - Add the softened cream cheese to the soup, stirring until it melts and incorporates into the broth, creating a creamy base.

   - Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts.

7. Adjust Seasoning:

   - Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed, depending on your preference.

8. Serve:

   - Ladle the creamy tortellini soup into bowls.

   - Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Enjoy! This creamy tortellini soup with Italian sausage and spinach is a comforting and satisfying dish that's perfect for chilly nights or anytime you're craving a warm and hearty meal!

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