Warm Up with Ina Garten’s Hearty Tortellini Soup Recipe

Warm, comforting bowls of Ina Garten tortellini soup beckon on chilly evenings with their hearty embrace.

Italian flavors dance through each spoonful, promising pure culinary delight.

Rich broth mingles with tender cheese-filled pasta, creating a symphony of taste.

Robust vegetables add depth and nutrition to this classic comfort dish.

Herbs sprinkled generously infuse the soup with an aromatic charm that fills the kitchen.

Elegant yet simple, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality goodness right to your dining table.

Savor every bite and let this soup become your new cold-weather companion.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 365 kcal

Servings: 6

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten Tortellini Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth, rich foundation for sautéing and enhancing overall taste.
• Italian Sausage: Delivers robust, meaty depth and authentic Italian character to the soup.
• Onion, Garlic: Classic aromatic duo that builds a powerful, savory flavor profile.
• Italian Spice: Adds a harmonious blend of traditional Mediterranean herb notes.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and elevate the soup's taste complexity.

• Flour: Creates a silky, smooth texture and helps thicken the soup's consistency.
• Tomato Sauce: Introduces a tangy, vibrant red base with slight acidic undertones.
• Chicken Stock: Provides a rich, hearty liquid foundation with deep, savory dimensions.

• Tortellini: Adds delightful pasta pockets filled with delicious cheese or meat.
• Kale: Introduces a nutritious, slightly earthy green element with wonderful texture.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, velvety smoothness and rounds out the soup's flavors.
• Fresh Basil: Brings a bright, aromatic herb finish with classic Italian freshness.

Tools to Cook Ina Garten Tortellini Soup

• Large Stockpot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking the soup, provides ample space for sautéing sausage and mixing ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending flour and creating smooth, lump-free sauce.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring sausage, breaking it up, and mixing ingredients evenly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.

Steps to Prepare Ina Garten Tortellini Soup

• Kitchen Preparation

Start by gathering a large stockpot or Dutch oven and your chosen ingredients. Ensure all components are fresh and ready for cooking.

• Sausage Foundation

Brown Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it into smaller pieces and removing excess fat for a clean flavor profile.

• Aromatic Base

Introduce chopped onions and minced garlic, allowing them to become translucent and release their natural sweetness. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.

• Thickening Agent

Gently incorporate flour, stirring until it develops a light golden color and creates a subtle roux for deeper complexity.

• Liquid Integration

Pour in tomato sauce and chicken stock, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and let the liquid simmer, allowing flavors to meld and slightly reduce.

• Pasta and Greens

Add tortellini and cook until tender. Fold in fresh kale, letting it soften and blend with the soup’s rich texture.

• Final Touch

Stir in heavy cream and fresh basil, creating a luxurious finish. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately while the soup is steaming hot.

Add-Ons for Ina Garten Tortellini Soup

• Replace Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a different flavor profile and dietary preference.
• Toss in extra vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms to boost nutrition and add more texture to the soup.
• Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano on top just before serving for an extra layer of rich, salty flavor.
• Prepare the soup base in advance and add tortellini and kale just before serving to maintain pasta texture and prevent overcooking.
• Use gluten-free flour for thickening and choose gluten-free tortellini to make this recipe celiac-friendly without sacrificing taste.

Serve Ina Garten Tortellini Soup Warm

• Elevate Your Soup Experience: Pair this hearty tortellini soup with crusty bread for dipping and soaking up the delicious sauce.
• Garnish with Gourmet Flair: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil on top to add a burst of flavor and elegant presentation.
• Create a Complete Meal: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich and creamy soup, making it a satisfying dinner option.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the soup's robust flavors with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or a light Pinot Noir for a truly delightful dining experience.

How to Store Ina Garten Tortellini Soup

• Refrigerate Smart: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping flavors fresh and ingredients intact.
• Freeze with Care: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top. Freeze for maximum 2 months, ensuring tortellini maintains good texture.
• Reheat Gently: Warm soup slowly on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken stock if soup seems too thick, helping restore original consistency.
• Batch Prep Tips: Double the recipe and portion into individual containers for quick weeknight meals. Kale and tortellini might soften during storage, so consider adding fresh herbs when reheating to brighten flavors.

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4.5 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s hearty tortellini soup blends classic Italian flavors with comforting ingredients. Warm cheese tortellini, rich vegetables, and savory broth create a satisfying meal that welcomes diners to savor each spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage, casing removed
• 4 cups (946 ml) chicken stock
• 1 package (9 oz/255 g) refrigerated three cheese tortellini
• 1 can (8 oz/227 g) tomato sauce
• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
• ⅓ cup (79 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 2 tsps Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsps (16 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) chopped fresh basil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Brown Italian sausage, breaking into crumbles and draining excess fat.
2. Aromatics Integration: Add onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning to sausage, sautéing until onions turn translucent. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Thickening Technique: Sprinkle flour over mixture, whisking to create a light caramel-colored roux. Pour in tomato sauce and chicken stock, bringing to a boil, then reducing to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Pasta Infusion: Introduce tortellini into the simmering liquid, covering and cooking until pasta reaches perfect tenderness, approximately 5-7 minutes.
5. Final Flourish: Fold kale into the soup, allowing leaves to wilt and brighten. Stir in heavy cream and fresh basil, heating thoroughly. Adjust seasoning, and serve steaming hot in deep bowls.

Notes

• Meat Preparation: Thoroughly crumble sausage while cooking to ensure even texture and prevent large clumps, which helps distribute flavor uniformly throughout the soup.
• Flour Technique: Whisking flour for exactly 1 minute creates a light caramel roux that thickens the soup and develops a rich, nutty undertone without burning.
• Pasta Cooking Time: Monitor tortellini closely during 5-7 minute cooking window to prevent overcooking, ensuring a perfect al dente texture that maintains cheese filling integrity.
• Cream and Herb Finish: Add cream and basil at the very end to preserve their delicate flavors and prevent separation, creating a luxurious, fresh final touch to the soup.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer.
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 365
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg