This filling, heathy, meaty soup comes together surprising fast and if that isn’t enough to inspire
you, the other piece of good news is that it tastes fantastic too!
Why You'll Love This Tortellini and Sausage Soup
1. Quick and Easy Preparation: With just 15 minutes of prep time, this recipe allows for a speedy preparation process. You can have a delicious and hearty soup on the table without spending too much time in the kitchen.
2. One-Pot Convenience: This soup is a one-pot wonder, simplifying the cooking process and minimizing the number of dishes to clean. The convenience of a single pot makes it an ideal choice for a quick and easy cleanup.
3. Balanced and Nutrient-Rich: Packed with vegetables, tortellini, sausage, and spinach, this soup offers a well-rounded mix of flavors and nutrients. It provides a combination of proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables, ensuring a satisfying and nourishing meal for both you and your family.
4. Freezer-Friendly for Batch Cooking: The recipe yields a generous serving size (serving 10), making it perfect for batch cooking. You can prepare a large batch and freeze individual portions for quick and convenient meals on busy days.
5. Versatility and Family Appeal: The combination of tortellini and sausage, along with the rich broth and vegetables, creates a flavorful and comforting soup that is likely to be enjoyed by the whole family. It's a versatile recipe that can easily accommodate personal preferences or dietary restrictions.
Health Benefits of this Tortellini & Sausage Soup Recipe
1. Vegetable Content: The soup includes a variety of vegetables such as carrots, celery, garlic, spinach, and zucchini. These vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, contributing to overall health.
2. Lean Protein: The use of Sweet Italian sausage, while flavorful, can be made with lean varieties or even replaced with turkey sausage to reduce saturated fat content. Additionally, the inclusion of chicken broth and cooked chicken adds a good source of lean protein.
3. Whole Ingredients: The inclusion of whole ingredients like fresh vegetables, herbs, and tortellini (especially if it's a whole-grain or vegetable-based variety) provides a good mix of nutrients compared to highly processed alternatives.
4. Olive Oil: Olive oil is used in moderation for cooking, providing heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. This type of fat is associated with potential cardiovascular benefits.
5. Spinach and Zucchini: Spinach and zucchini are nutrient-dense vegetables that add vitamins, minerals, and fiber to the soup. They contribute to the overall nutritional profile while keeping the calorie content relatively low.
6. Red Wine: The inclusion of red wine not only adds flavor but may also contribute certain antioxidants. Consuming red wine in moderation has been associated with potential heart health benefits.
Tortellini and Sausage Soup Recipe
Prep: 15 mins. | Cook Time: 40 mins. | Serves: 10
Ingredients:
2 T. olive oil
1 lb. Sweet Italian sausage, remove casings and broken into small pieces (or use bulk sausage)
1 small onion
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1 celery rib, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
½ tsp. dried oregano
¼ tsp. salt (or to taste)
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 c. red wine
6 c. beef broth
8-9 oz. packaged tortellini, refrigerated variety (I used five cheese version)
2 c. fresh spinach
1 zucchini, diced
Let's Get Started
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over a medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook for
5 minutes until browned, stir frequently and break up large pieces with a spatula. Drain excess
oil from the pot.
Step 2: Lower the heat to medium and add the onions, carrots, and celery to the pot; then
cook for 3 minutes. Stir frequently. Add in the garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper
flakes. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
Step 3: Add the red wine and beef broth to the pot. Stir well and scrap any bits from the
bottom of the pot. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil.
Step 4: After the broth is boiling, lower the heat to medium-low and cover the pot and simmer
for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 5: Add the tortellini to the soup and stir. Raise the heat to medium and bring to a gentle
boil. Let the tortellini cook uncovered according to the packaged directions. Raise or lower the
heat to keep the soup gently boiling.
Step 6: Add the spinach and zucchini to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, stir occasionally.
Step 7: Taste your delicious soup and salt if needed. Enjoy with a quick side salad and bread.
Soup is Served!
Jazz It Up!
Here are some ways to customize your tortellini & sausage soup to make it even more delicious:
1. Herb Variation: try different herbs to add depth to the flavor. Consider adding fresh basil, thyme, or rosemary to enhance the aromatic profile of the soup.
2. Cheese: sprinkle some grated parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese on top of the soup just before serving for an extra layer of richness.
3. Vegetable Variation: include other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or diced tomatoes to add more colors and textures to the soup.
4. Spice Level: adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your spice preference. You can also add a dash of hot sauce for an extra kick.
5. Protein: if you want to boost the protein content, consider adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or beans. You can add them along with or instead of the Italian sausage.
Comentários