Soupe tortellini
A classic comfort food, this creamy tomato and spinach tortellini soup is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight meal. The recipe features cheese tortellini in a rich and creamy tomato-based broth with fresh spinach and a blend of Italian seasonings. It's a satisfying soup that can be ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 8 ounces cheese tortellini (refrigerated)
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups fresh spinach leaves (packed)
- ½ cup heavy cream or half and half
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions:
- In a large saucepan, melt the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for one more minute.
- Gradually add the vegetable broth, whisking to combine. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and dried basil. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Bring the soup to a gentle boil and then add the tortellini. Cook for a few minutes, until the tortellini is tender.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the fresh spinach, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream.
- Serve the soup warm, garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra Parmesan cheese. This soup pairs well with homemade breadsticks.
Recipe Variations:
- Sausage Tortellini Soup: Brown some ground sausage with the onion for added flavor and protein.
- Extra Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like celery, shredded carrots, baby broccoli, chopped kale, or zucchini while sautéing the onion.
- Crockpot Method: To make this in a slow cooker, first sauté the onion and then transfer it to the crockpot. Add the remaining ingredients except for the tortellini, spinach, Parmesan cheese, and cream. Cook on low for 4-5 hours. Add the tortellini in the last 30 minutes of cooking, and then stir in the spinach, Parmesan, and cream just before serving.