Easy Tortellini Soup: Your Quick & Comforting Weeknight Meal

Craving a meal that feels like a warm hug but comes together in a flash? This easy tortellini soup is your new go-to! It’s brimming with savory broth, tender pasta, and fresh vegetables, making it the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for busy weeknights, this delightful soup promises big flavor with minimal effort. Get ready to enjoy a satisfying and delicious dinner everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Tortellini Soup

You’ll quickly fall in love with this simple tortellini soup for so many reasons!

• Quick & Easy: It comes together in under 30 minutes, ideal for hectic evenings. Explore more easy soup recipes for any season.
• Simple Ingredients: You only need a few common items found at any grocery store.
• Deeply Comforting: Each spoonful is warm, hearty, and incredibly satisfying.
• Highly Customizable: Easily adapt it to your family’s tastes or what you have on hand.
• Veggie-Packed: Enjoy a nourishing bowl full of wholesome, fresh vegetables. For a well-rounded meal, explore the extensive health benefits of incorporating vegetables into your diet, supported by dietary guidelines.
• Family Favorite: This delightful soup is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.

Ingredients

Gather these fresh, wholesome ingredients to create your next favorite easy tortellini soup:

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium size carrot, thinly sliced
• 1 celery rib, thinly sliced
• 1/2 small onion, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 32-ounce container chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
• 1 19-ounce package frozen cheese tortellini or flavor of choice
• 1 cup mushrooms, thinly sliced (optional)
• 2 cups spinach, rough chopped

Notes & Substitutions

• Tortellini: While we love cheese tortellini, feel free to use meat, spinach, or another favorite filling. Both fresh and frozen tortellini work beautifully in this easy tortellini soup, just adjust cooking times slightly.
• Broth: Chicken broth provides a rich base, but vegetable broth makes this soup vegetarian-friendly. Choose low-sodium options to control the salt content yourself. Homemade broth always adds an extra layer of flavor!
• Vegetables: Get creative with your additions. Zucchini, kale, bell peppers, or diced tomatoes are fantastic in this hearty tortellini soup.
• Aromatics: The classic trio of carrots, celery, and onion (mirepoix) forms the flavor foundation. Don’t skip these for a deeply aromatic base. This classic combination is a fundamental aromatic base for countless dishes. Explore the culinary tradition of mirepoix to understand its importance.
• Dairy: For an extra creamy finish, stir in a splash of heavy cream, milk, or even a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk at the end.

Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this delightful tortellini soup.

• Large Dutch oven or stock pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering the broth.
• Cutting board: For safely preparing your fresh vegetables.
• Sharp knife: Makes quick work of slicing and dicing.
• Stirring spoon: Ideal for mixing ingredients and preventing sticking.

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to prepare your comforting easy tortellini soup:

1. Prep vegetables: In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced carrots, celery, and minced onion. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion softens and becomes opaque. This gentle sautéing builds a strong flavor base for your soup.
2. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic. Cook for just 1 minute more, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown, as it can become bitter.
3. Simmer broth: Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and continue to boil for about 10 minutes. This allows the vegetable flavors to meld beautifully with the broth.
4. Cook tortellini & mushrooms: Add the frozen or fresh tortellini and the thinly sliced mushrooms, if you are using them. Cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the tortellini begin to rise to the top of the pot and are tender. Check the package directions for specific cooking times.
5. Wilt spinach: As the tortellini cook and float, stir in the rough chopped fresh spinach. Allow it to wilt into the hot soup for just a minute or two. The residual heat will cook it perfectly.
6. Season and serve: Taste the easy tortellini soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

• Prevent soggy tortellini: Pay close attention to the cooking time. Tortellini cook quickly, especially fresh varieties. Avoid overcooking to maintain a pleasant chew.
• Deepen flavor: Don’t rush the initial sauté of your carrots, celery, and onion. Cooking them until tender and slightly caramelized develops a rich flavor foundation for your soup.
• Adjust seasoning: Always taste your soup before serving. Broths vary in sodium, so adjust with salt and pepper until it tastes perfect to you.
• Boost richness: A final sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese or a dollop of pesto adds an incredible depth of flavor right before serving.
• Make ahead: For the best texture, cook the tortellini separately and add it to individual bowls of hot broth just before eating. This prevents it from getting too soft if you are meal prepping.
• Troubleshooting thin broth: If your broth tastes a bit thin, simmer it uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce it slightly. A pinch of dried herbs like oregano or basil can also enhance flavor.

Serving, Storage & Variations

This easy tortellini soup is incredibly versatile and delicious!

• Serving suggestions: Serve this hearty soup with warm, crusty bread for dipping, or alongside a crisp green side salad. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese makes a lovely garnish.
• Storage: Store any leftover tortellini soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The tortellini may soften slightly over time.
• Reheating: Gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat. If it thickens too much, add a splash of extra chicken or vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency.
• Freezing: This soup freezes well without the tortellini. Cook the broth and vegetables, then cool completely before freezing. Add freshly cooked tortellini when you reheat it.
• Protein variations: Boost the protein by adding cooked shredded chicken, browned Italian sausage, or even plant-based options like chickpeas or white beans.
• Vegetable additions: Incorporate diced zucchini, canned diced tomatoes (undrained), or colorful bell peppers along with the other vegetables for added nutrients and flavor.
• Creamy version: Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of heavy cream, half-and-half, or coconut milk just before serving for a wonderfully rich and creamy soup.

Nutrition Information

This comforting soup offers a balanced meal with good nutrition. It provides a source of protein from the tortellini and various vitamins and fiber from the abundance of fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, onion, and spinach. For specific dietary needs, please consult the detailed nutrition information on the recipe card. This hearty easy tortellini soup is a wholesome choice.

Values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients used.

FAQ

• Can I make this soup vegetarian? Absolutely! Simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth. Use cheese or spinach-filled tortellini.
• How long does tortellini soup last in the fridge? Your delicious tortellini soup will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
• Can I freeze this soup? Yes, but it’s best to freeze the broth and vegetables separately from the tortellini. Cook and add the tortellini fresh upon reheating for the best texture.
• What kind of tortellini is best to use? Either fresh or frozen tortellini works perfectly for this easy tortellini soup recipe. Choose your favorite filling!
• Can I add meat to this soup? Yes! Cooked shredded chicken, browned ground Italian sausage, or mini meatballs are excellent additions. Add them along with the tortellini or just before serving.

Conclusion

This easy tortellini soup truly proves that comforting, homemade meals don’t need to be complicated. With its quick preparation time, simple ingredients, and incredible flavor, it’s the ideal dish for any busy weeknight. We hope this simple tortellini soup becomes a cherished recipe in your kitchen, bringing warmth and satisfaction to your table. Try it tonight and discover your new favorite! Share your variations and how you made this cozy soup your own in the comments below.

Easy Tortellini Soup: Your Quick & Comforting Weeknight Meal

This easy tortellini soup is a perfect quick and comforting meal for any weeknight. Packed with vegetables, chicken broth, and cheesy tortellini, it's ready in under an hour.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 bowls

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 carrot medium size, thinly sliced
• 1 celery rib thinly sliced
• 1/2 onion small, minced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 32-ounce container chicken broth
• 1 19-ounce package frozen cheese tortellini or flavor of choice
• 1 cup mushrooms thinly sliced
• 2 cups spinach rough chopped

Equipment

• Large Pot

Method

 

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add carrots, celery, and onion. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes opaque.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the chicken broth, bring it to a boil, and continue to boil for about 10 minutes.
4. Incorporate the tortellini and mushrooms, if desired, and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes.
5. Once the tortellini begin to float, add the spinach to wilt, then serve the soup immediately.

Notes

This hearty and flavorful soup is perfect on a chilly evening. For an extra boost of flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes.