Creamy Tortellini and Sausage Soup

There's little more comforting to me than curling up with a steamy bowl of soup on a brisk evening during the chillier months of the year. If you poke around a bit, you'll discover a hoard of soup recipes here on Joyously Domestic. I tend to rely a good deal on homemade soup for dinner in the colder months. Thankfully, my family is on board and for the most part, they share my soup obsession. We typically have soup on the menu two or three times a week this time of year. And, the soups are usually a mix of classic stand-bys {our favorite Potato Soup or BLT Soup} along with lots of experimenting with new recipes.

Recently, I tested this Creamy Tortellini and Sausage Soup. It was a big hit. I'm already planning to put it on the menu again in a couple of weeks.

It comes together in about 45 minutes. Besides your purchase of the sausage, tortellini and spinach, I'm betting you probably have the remaining ingredients on hand.

All that's missing once this pot of deliciousness simmers up is a crusty loaf of bread for dipping.

Yields 4 - 6 servings.



Ingredients:

1/2 pound mild Italian sausage {removed from casing, if necessary}
2 - 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1/4 cup flour
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth/stock
12 ounces dry cheese tortellini {such as Barilla}
3 - 4 ounces fresh spinach
Pinch of Italian seasoning
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Black pepper, to taste
Kosher salt, to taste/as needed
Lemon slices, for squeezing at time of service
Sliced green onions, for garnish

Directions:

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, break apart and brown sausage over medium heat until thoroughly cooked. Transfer sausage to a paper-lined plate. Set aside. Retain grease from cooking sausage in pot.

Add garlic and flour. Cook - while stirring - for about two minutes. Whisk in chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.

Stir in tortellini, spinach and Italian seasoning.

Cook two minutes. Stir in cream. Add sausage.

Reduce heat to low. Keep soup at a low simmer. Gauge cooking time by recommended timing on tortellini package instructions. {Be sure not to overcook pasta.}

NOTE:  If at any time soup becomes too thick for your preference, additional broth can be added.

Season with black pepper. Taste and season with salt only if needed.

Serve with lemon slices and sliced green onions at time of service.

Recipe inspired by Life Made Simple.