Description
This comforting soup is a true hug in a bowl, featuring savory sausage, tender tortellini, and nutrient-rich kale swimming in a luxuriously creamy broth. It’s a one-pot wonder that’s perfect for a chilly evening or when you’re craving something utterly satisfying and deliciously wholesome.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound sausage, casing removed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium sweet onion, diced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken stock
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (3-inch) Parmesan rind, optional
1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated three cheese tortellini
1/2 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
1/3 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Instructions
Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, crumbling it as you go; drain off any extra fat.
Stir in garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the onions are soft, then season with salt and pepper.
Whisk in flour and cook for a minute.
Add chicken stock, tomato sauce, and Parmesan rind if you have one. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until it thickens.
Add tortellini and cook until tender.
Stir in kale until it wilts, then add cream and basil. Heat through and season again. Serve right away.
Notes
After browning the sausage, it’s important to drain off most of the excess fat. This prevents the soup from becoming greasy and allows the other flavors to shine.
Once you’ve added the chicken stock and tomato sauce, a gentle simmer is key. This allows the flavors to meld without overcooking the ingredients or making the broth cloudy.
Refrigerated tortellini cook very quickly. Keep an eye on them and remove them from the heat as soon as they are tender to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Always taste and adjust seasoning at the end. The saltiness of the sausage and chicken stock can vary, so a final check ensures your soup is perfectly balanced.
Add the heavy cream towards the end of the cooking process and heat it through gently. Boiling the soup after adding cream can cause it to curdle.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 450-550 (estimated)
- Fat: Approximately 30-40g (estimated)
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 25-35g (estimated)
- Protein: Approximately 20-25g (estimated)