Easy Tortellini Soup With Chicken Broth (Print Version)

Creamy tortellini soup with chicken broth, vegetables, and tender pasta in a rich, comforting bowl ready in 40 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
02 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Broth and Dairy

06 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
07 - 1 cup heavy cream

→ Pasta

08 - 18 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
10 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Olive oil for sautéing

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil, then sauté onions, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
04 - Add cheese tortellini and simmer according to package instructions, typically 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Lower the heat, add heavy cream, and simmer for 3 minutes.
06 - Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cream creates this velvety texture that coats each tortellini perfectly, something I discovered completely by accident when I was running low on broth one evening.
  • You can throw this together in under 40 minutes, which has saved me countless times when friends drop by unexpectedly and stay for dinner.
02 -
  • Do not boil the soup after adding cream or it might separate, something I learned the hard way during a distracted cooking moment.
  • The tortellini will continue absorbing liquid even after cooking, so if making ahead, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to each bowl when serving.
03 -
  • Finish with a drizzle of good olive oil and fresh cracked pepper just before serving for an instant flavor boost that makes the soup taste like it came from a restaurant kitchen.
  • If the soup becomes too thick after adding the tortellini, a splash of additional broth thins it to the perfect consistency without diluting the flavor.
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