Easy Tortellini Soup Chicken Broth (Printable Version)

Comforting creamy soup with tender cheese tortellini, chicken broth, and fresh vegetables for a hearty winter meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 & 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

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, then sauté diced 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 if using.
04 - Add cheese tortellini and simmer according to package instructions (usually 5-7 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 1-2 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 way the tortellini plumps up in the savory broth creates little pockets of cheesy surprise in every spoonful.
  • You can have this on the table in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for those evenings when comfort food is needed but time is short.
02 -
  • Never boil the soup after adding the cream or youll end up with a separated mess, something I learned the hard way while rushing to serve dinner guests.
  • The tortellini continues absorbing broth even after cooking, so if youre planning leftovers, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to individual servings.
03 -
  • The soup will thicken considerably as it stands, so if youre reheating leftovers, have extra broth on hand to restore the original consistency.
  • For the most vibrant flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving, a trick I learned from my Italian neighbor that brightens all the other ingredients.
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