Creamy and Cheesy Tortellini Soup
About this Creamy & Cheesy Tortellini Soup
This Creamy & Cheesy Tortellini Soup is the definition of a meal-worthy soup — rich, cheesy, spicy (if you want it), and FULL of flavor. The broth is creamy and silky thanks to parmesan and heavy cream, the Calabrian chili adds a punch of heat, and the tortellini keeps things extra filling and delicious. It’s indulgent, hearty, and perfect for cold weather.
Why You’ll Love It
A full meal in a bowl — extremely filling
One-pot recipe
Customizable spice level
Creamy, cheesy, silky broth
Freezer-friendly without the pasta
Ingredients You’ll Need
Olive oil
Sweet Italian sausage
Onion
Garlic
Carrots
Celery
Calabrian chili paste
Roasted red peppers
Broth (chicken or vegetable)
Crushed tomatoes
Dried basil, oregano, thyme, cumin
Salt & pepper
Cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
Heavy cream
Parmesan cheese
How to Make It
Brown the sausage in olive oil, then remove and set aside. In the same pot, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until softened. Add garlic and Calabrian chili paste and cook briefly. Stir in the roasted red peppers, broth, tomatoes, and dried seasonings. Simmer, then blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Return sausage to the pot, add tortellini, and cook until tender. Stir in heavy cream and parmesan, adjust seasoning, and serve warm.
Tips for Success
Blend before adding pasta for the creamiest texture.
Adjust the heat by reducing or omitting the Calabrian chili.
Fresh tortellini cooks faster — watch closely.
Don’t boil after adding cream to prevent curdling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen tortellini?
Yes — it just needs a few extra minutes to cook.
How spicy is this soup?
Medium heat. Reduce the Calabrian chili paste for a milder version.
Can I freeze it?
Freeze the soup without tortellini. Pasta becomes mushy when frozen in broth.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes! Use veggie broth, omit sausage, and add mushrooms or white beans.
How can I thicken the soup?
Simmer longer before adding cream, or blend more of the vegetables.
What to Serve With It
Garlic bread
Focaccia
Simple green salad
Parmesan crisps
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Creamy Tortellini Soup
Ingredients:
2-3 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
4 celery stalks, diced
1-2 tablespoon Calabrian chili paste (adjust to taste for spiciness)
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, diced (from a jar or freshly roasted)
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
20 ounces fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the crumbled sweet Italian sausage and cook until browned and cooked through. Use a spoon to break it into smaller pieces as it cooks. Remove the cooked sausage from the pot and set it aside.
In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-6 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
Add the minced garlic and Calabrian chili paste, and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, roasted red peppers and diced tomatoes (with their juices). Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
Use an immersion blender to carefully puree the soup until it's smooth and creamy.
Return the cooked sweet Italian sausage to the pot, stirring to combine.
Add the cheese tortellini to the soup and cook according to the package instructions. Fresh tortellini usually takes around 2-4 minutes, while frozen tortellini may take 6-8 minutes to cook.
Once the tortellini is cooked, reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or Calabrian chili paste.
Serve with some delicious bread and have the time of your LIFE!
