Creamy Tuscan Tortellini Soup

Fall season is approaching! This Tuscan Tortellini soup was tweaked several times before I got it just right. My husband was amazed the last time I made it and said it was one of the best dishes he's ever eaten. You can also substitute the tortellini for ravioli! The best part? You only need one large pot to cook this meal!

 

 

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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30-45 minutes
Serves: 4+

Ingredients:

• 13oz smoked turkey sausage (chicken, Italian, or even shredded chicken are great too, but turkey works best for us due to the lack of grease it produces in the soup) Cut it into roughly 1/4 circular pieces
• 1 large yellow onion (diced small)
• 5oz bag (use only half, so 2.5oz) fresh spinach (ripped/chopped up into thirds, kale is a great substitute as well)
• Fresh parsley (loosely chopped)
• 16oz bag parmesan cheese
• 2 15oz cans of white beans, drained and rinsed (great northern is what we use)
• 28oz can crushed tomatoes
• 32oz chicken broth (low-sodium) 
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 18oz refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini or ravioli (I prefer frozen for this and it's cheaper. I use half tortellini & half ravioli for this particular soup)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Pinch of seasonings... salt, pepper (you will need a second pinch later of pepper)
• 2 Pinches of oregano, garlic (minced preferred)

• OPTIONAL: fresh bread, cut into 2 inch slices to dip into soup OR a bag of croutons or freshly made croutons (can use the french bread to make them even!)

Directions:

1. Add the olive oil, onion, sausage, and all the seasonings in the large pot on medium-low heat. Cook until the onions are sauteed and the sausage gets some char from the bottom of the pot.
2. Add the entire containers of chicken broth and tomatoes. Add the entire package of tortellini.
3. When the soup starts to simmer, add the spinach, beans, and a small amount of parsley.
4. When the spinach has cooked (wilted) & the the tortellini is cooked, add half the parmesan cheese and the 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Add the last pinch of pepper. Cook until the cheese has melted. Give it a good stir.
5. Serve in a bowl with croutons, parmesan cheese, parsley, and cracked pepper on top OR just parmesan cheese, parsley, and cracked pepper on top with french bread dipped inside!