Name: Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground mild Italian sausage; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 2 large carrots, peeled and diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon kosher sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed or chopped; one 6-oz. can tomato paste; 1/2 cup dry white wine; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 6–7 cups chicken broth; 2 cups half and half or heavy cream; 14 oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini; 1 handful chopped fresh spinach; Parmesan cheese for serving; Fresh parsley for serving

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 23 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a soul-soothing dinner that feels like a warm hug, you’ve got to try this Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that’s outrageously comforting yet surprisingly simple to pull together on a weeknight. Every spoonful bursts with flavor—from the savory sausage to the silky cream and just the right amount of herbs—making it an instant favorite for family dinners or when you want to cozy up after a long day. I can’t wait to share with you how I make it so delicious and easy!

💙

Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Flavors: The Italian sausage brings savory depth while the herbs and tomato paste add layers of aromatic goodness.
Creamy Texture: The addition of half and half (or heavy cream) makes this soup irresistibly smooth and comforting.
Hearty & Quick: Cheese tortellini cooks fast, soaking up the flavorful broth, turning this into a full meal in under an hour.
Versatile Ingredients: Using fresh veggies, herbs, and dairy makes the recipe adaptable and perfect for many palates.

Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup, Italian sausage soup, creamy tortellini soup, comforting sausage soup recipe, easy Italian soup - A large white pot filled with a thick, creamy soup that is orange-beige in color, speckled with small pieces of ground meat, green leafy vegetables, and small curved pasta shells. A wooden spoon is resting inside the pot, partially submerged in the soup, showing its rich and smooth texture. The pot sits on a dark blue cloth on a white marbled surface, creating a warm and cozy feeling. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic behind this Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe really comes down to a thoughtful combo of ingredients that complement each other perfectly. You want fresh veggies to build a great base, flavorful Italian sausage for that meaty punch, and the tortellini adding a fun, cheesy twist that’s pure comfort in a bowl.

Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup, Italian sausage soup, creamy tortellini soup, comforting sausage soup recipe, easy Italian soup - Flat lay of a small mound of raw mild Italian sausage, a diced yellow onion, two diced celery stalks, two peeled and diced large carrots, three peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl of coarse kosher sea salt, a small white bowl of ground black pepper, a small white bowl of mixed Italian seasoning, a small white bowl of crushed fennel seeds, a small white bowl with a dollop of rich red tomato paste, a small white bowl of dry white wine, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of golden chicken broth, fresh refrigerated cheese tortellini, a small white bowl of creamy half and half, a small handful of fresh chopped spinach, fresh parmesan wedge, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Ground mild Italian sausage: I love mild for a nice balance of flavor without too much heat—you can always swap for spicy if you’re feeling adventurous.
Yellow onion: Adds a subtle sweetness when sautéed, softening the soup’s flavor.
Celery and carrots: Classic aromatics that bring earthiness and texture.
Garlic: Essential for that fragrant, inviting base note.
Kosher sea salt & black pepper: Seasoning’s the key to bringing out every flavor layer.
Italian seasoning & fennel seed: The fennel seed mimics sausage spices and enhances that authentic Italian vibe.
Tomato paste: It’s concentrated and adds a subtle richness and umami punch.
Dry white wine: I’m a big fan of this step—it adds brightness and depth, and the alcohol cooks off, leaving behind just flavor.
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the soup to that perfect creamy consistency without using a roux.
Chicken broth: The base liquid—it’s flavorful and light, allowing the other ingredients to shine.
Cheese tortellini: This is the star that makes the soup filling and fun to eat—fresh refrigerated tortellini works beautifully.
Half and half or heavy cream: For the rich, creamy finish that turns humble soup into a special meal.
Fresh spinach: Adds color, nutrition, and a bit of freshness just before serving.
Parmesan and fresh parsley: For topping—they brighten and elevate every bite.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love most about this Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you want it spicier, lighter, or packed with extra veggies, you can adjust it exactly how you like. Here’s how I’ve played around with it in my kitchen.

Make it spicy: Switching mild Italian sausage with hot or adding crushed red pepper flakes gives it a nice kick—I like this when I want soup with a little edge.
Vegetarian version: Swap sausage for sautéed mushrooms and add vegetable broth—it’s surprisingly hearty!
Switch up the greens: Sometimes I toss in kale or swiss chard instead of spinach for a different texture.
Use gluten-free flour or none at all: If gluten is a concern, you can thicken with cornstarch slurry or simply skip the flour for a lighter broth.
Wine alternatives: If you don’t have wine on hand, a splash of white grape juice or additional broth works fine.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Sauté the Veggies

I start by heating a large stockpot over medium-high heat, then throwing in the ground Italian sausage. Breaking it into small pieces is key—it ensures it cooks evenly and creates those delicious little browned bits that bring flavor to the whole soup. Once the sausage is mostly browned (but not fully cooked through), I add diced onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté everything for about 5 minutes until the veggies are soft and aromatic. This is your flavor base, so don’t rush it!

Step 2: Add Garlic, Spices, and Tomato Paste

Next, toss in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, fennel seed, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. The tomato paste needs a little time to cook down so the raw flavor mellows and it becomes richly fragrant—stir every minute or so for 3 to 5 minutes, careful not to burn it. This creates a deep, savory backdrop for the soup that pulls all the flavors together.

Step 3: Deglaze with White Wine and Thicken with Flour

Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for a few minutes. You’ll see it reduce a bit—that’s when the alcohol cooks off and the flavor concentrates. Stir in the flour next; it’ll look a bit clumpy at first, but that’s okay. Cooking the flour for a minute helps get rid of any raw taste and starts thickening the soup base.

Step 4: Add Broth and Simmer

Gradually whisk in the chicken broth to the stockpot, smoothing out any flour lumps as you go. Bring everything to a simmer (you’ll notice the soup starting to thicken nicely), then reduce heat to low and let it gently bubble for about 15 minutes. This step lets all those layers of flavor meld beautifully and the soup to develop some body.

Step 5: Stir in Cream, Tortellini, and Spinach

Finally, add the half and half or cream and bring the soup back to a low simmer. Toss in the refrigerated cheese tortellini and handful of fresh spinach. Cook just until the tortellini is al dente according to package directions, usually about 3-5 minutes. The spinach wilts quickly and adds a nice pop of green color—and nutrition!

Step 6: Serve Topped with Parmesan & Parsley

Ladle the soup into bowls and finish with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and a handful of Parmesan cheese. I love dunking a crusty piece of cheesy bread on the side—it’s downright heavenly and makes the meal feel truly special.

💡

Pro Tips for Making Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

Don’t Skip Browning: Browning the sausage well builds incredible flavor; it’s worth spending those extra minutes.
Control the Thickness: Start with less broth if you prefer a thicker soup; you can always add more at the end.
Fresh is Best: Using refrigerated tortellini keeps the texture tender—you don’t want dried tortellini here.
Avoid Overcooking Tortellini: Cook tortellini just until al dente in the soup to prevent it from getting mushy when reheated.

How to Serve Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup, Italian sausage soup, creamy tortellini soup, comforting sausage soup recipe, easy Italian soup - A white bowl filled with thick orange soup that has visible small pieces of tortellini pasta, vegetables and herbs mixed in, topped with a light sprinkle of grated cheese and chopped green parsley. A woman's hand is holding the bowl's handle from the left side, and another woman's hand is holding a silver spoon dipping into the soup from the bottom right. The background shows a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I keep it simple but tasty with fresh parsley and lots of freshly grated Parmesan—those finishing touches add a pop of freshness and a sharp, cheesy bite that perfectly balances the creamy soup. Sometimes I add a pinch of crushed red pepper for a subtle heat if we’re feeling spicy!

Side Dishes

Cheesy garlic bread or a warm crusty baguette is my go-to side with this soup—it’s perfect for dipping and so effortless. On chillier days, a simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette pairs nicely to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving the soup in mini bread bowls—it makes the meal feel extra fun and rustic! You can also serve it with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or drizzle a bit of chili oil for added sophistication and texture.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers stash beautifully in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually wait to add the tortellini until reheating because it can soak up too much broth if stored together, making it mushy. So, sometimes I keep tortellini separate and add fresh when reheating.

Freezing

Because of the cream and pasta, I don’t typically freeze the whole soup together—it tends to separate when thawed. If you want to freeze, prepare the broth and sausage base without cream or tortellini, freeze that portion, then add cream and fresh tortellini after thawing and reheating.

Reheating

Gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to keep the cream from separating. If you kept tortellini separate, add them towards the end of reheating just until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use dry tortellini instead of refrigerated in this Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe?

Dry tortellini can be used, but keep in mind it requires a longer cooking time, which might make the other ingredients overcook or get mushy. Refrigerated fresh tortellini cooks quickly and delivers a tender, fresh texture that really complements the soup.
What’s the best way to thicken the soup if I want it creamier?

The flour added after the wine helps with thickening, but if you want it thicker, add a little more flour or let the soup simmer uncovered for a bit longer to reduce. Be sure to whisk well to avoid lumps.
Can I make this soup vegan?

Absolutely! Use plant-based Italian sausage alternatives, vegetable broth, a vegan cream substitute like coconut cream, and vegan tortellini or pasta. Adjust seasonings accordingly to keep those compelling flavors.
Is there a substitute for the white wine in this recipe?

Yes! If you prefer no alcohol, use extra chicken broth or a splash of white grape juice to add sweetness and acidity. The soup will still be delicious and flavorful.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s simple comfort food that feels a little fancy and delivers big on flavor every time. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a weekend cozy-up meal, this soup always hits the spot for me and my family. I’m confident you’ll love how easy it is to make and how happy it makes your taste buds. So go on, try making it soon—I’d bet my last Parmesan shaving you’ll be asking for seconds!