There’s something wonderfully cozy about a bowl of warm, flavorful soup on a busy day. This Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe marries silky tortellini with vibrant spinach in a rich, tomato-tinged broth that’s just heavenly. It’s totally worth making from scratch, especially when you want comfort food that feels both fancy and fuss-free.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I have to admit, this soup quickly became a staple in my kitchen. It’s the kind of recipe that feels special yet comes together in under 30 minutes. Plus, the flavors are so balanced it’ll satisfy your craving for something creamy, savory, and just a little bit fresh all at once.
- Comfort Meets Convenience: You get a rich, creamy soup without spending hours simmering—a total weekday winner.
- Fresh and Flavorful: Sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning add depth and a subtle tang that elevates the dish.
- Perfectly Balanced: The blend of spinach and cheesy tortellini turns this into a complete, hearty meal.
- Customizable: It welcomes tweaks easily, so you can adjust it to fit your taste or what’s in your pantry.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This soup combines pantry staples with fresh ingredients that bring great texture and flavor. From the tangy sun-dried tomatoes to the creamy finish, every element plays a role in making this soup satisfying and memorable.
- Sun-dried tomatoes with Italian seasoning: Their intense, slightly sweet flavor infuses the broth and oil, giving the soup a robust foundation.
- Frozen sliced carrots: Add a bit of natural sweetness and color while cooking evenly without extra prep.
- Minced garlic: You can’t go wrong with fresh garlic—it brightens and deepens the overall flavor.
- Italian seasoning: A blend that brings herby warmth and complements the tomato base perfectly.
- Vegetable broth: The savory liquid that ties everything together; use a good-quality one for the best results.
- Tomato sauce: Acts as the rich, tangy heart of the soup, helping build a comforting base.
- Spinach and cheese tortellini: Adds protein and richness with those pockets of melted cheese, making the soup truly filling.
- Frozen chopped spinach: Boosts the green goodness, blending beautifully with the tortellini.
- Heavy cream: The game-changer for creaminess that wraps all the flavors together smoothly.
- Parmesan cheese (optional garnish): Adds a salty, nutty finish on top that I always crave.
- Fresh chopped basil (optional garnish): A fresh herb hit that brightens each spoonful just at the end.
Make It Your Way
This soup is incredibly forgiving, so I often play around with it based on what I have on hand or need to use up. Don’t be afraid to swap out ingredients or boost the flavor with extras—it’s your kitchen, after all!
- Variation: Once, I swapped the frozen spinach for fresh baby spinach and added a dash of crushed red pepper flakes—it gave the soup a lovely, gentle heat with no extra effort.
- Diet-friendly modifications: Try using a plant-based cream alternative to keep it vegan, or swap vegetable broth for chicken broth if you prefer a meatier depth.
- Seasonal twists: In the fall, I stir in some roasted butternut squash cubes for extra sweetness and texture.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sautéing the Veggies and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
First things first, grab a large saucepan or stockpot and warm up about 2 tablespoons of the flavorful oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar over medium heat. This oil carries so much of that rich tomato essence—it’s the base to build on. Then toss in the frozen carrots, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Sauté everything for about 3 to 5 minutes, until you notice the carrots getting tender on the edges and the garlic smells wonderfully aromatic. This step sets up the flavor foundation, so don’t rush it!
Step 2: Build the Broth and Add Tomatoes
Pour in 3 cups of vegetable broth, the full can of tomato sauce, and the actual sun-dried tomatoes from that jar (save any leftover oil for another use or discard it). Stir everything so it’s evenly mixed, then bring your pot to a gentle boil. This combo will give you that thick, deeply flavored base that is the heart of your soup.
Step 3: Add Tortellini and Spinach to Cook
Once your broth is bubbling, toss in the spinach and cheese tortellini package along with the frozen chopped spinach. Give it a careful stir, then cover the pot. Let it cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the tortellini are tender and cooked through. The liquid will reduce a bit and turn nice and thick, transforming into a luscious soup base.
Step 4: Stir in the Cream Off the Heat
Here's a key tip: take the pot off the heat before adding the heavy cream. This stops the soup from curdling and keeps it silky smooth. Stir in the cream gently until it’s fully incorporated. The soup now has that creamy, rich texture that makes it so comforting and indulgent.
Step 5: Serve Warm With Your Favorite Garnishes
Ladle the soup into bowls and finish with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil if you like. These simple garnishes add fresh pops of flavor and a pretty, inviting look that always impresses guests or cheers you up on a chilly day.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few ways to make this soup turn out perfect every time. A couple of tricks can totally elevate your experience and save you from common mishaps.
- Use the Sun-Dried Tomato Oil: Don’t waste the oil that comes in the jar—it’s packed with flavor and much better than plain oil for sautéing your veggies.
- Add the Cream Off Heat: I used to add cream while the soup was still simmering—big mistake! It makes the cream curdle, so be patient and wait to stir it in after you turn off the heat.
- Choose the Right Tortellini: Dry tortellini works perfectly here and saves time, but if you go fresh or frozen, just keep an eye on the cooking time so it doesn’t turn mushy.
- Adjust Thickness with Broth: If your soup thickens too much after resting, add a splash of vegetable broth to get back that perfect spoonable consistency.
How to Serve Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top this soup with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil leaves. It adds a bit of salty richness and a burst of herbal brightness that cuts through the creamy base so nicely. Sometimes I toss in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if I want a little kick—totally optional but delicious.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or some crusty garlic bread for dipping. I also like serving it alongside roasted vegetables when I want to up the veggie game.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy dinner party, I’ve served this soup in mini bread bowls or rustic crocks, adding a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for extra texture on top. It instantly makes the meal feel special and festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I find the flavors actually deepen after a day or two, making for a delicious next-day lunch or dinner.
Freezing
Based on my experience, I don’t recommend freezing this soup because the cream and tortellini can change texture and separate upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
Reheating
To reheat, warm your soup gently in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally so it heats evenly without scorching. If the soup thickens too much while cooling, add a touch of vegetable broth or water to loosen it up to your preferred consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Fresh spinach is a great alternative. Just add it at the same stage as the frozen spinach, but reduce cooking time slightly as fresh spinach wilts quickly. It adds a bright, fresh note that I love.
Dry tortellini from the pasta aisle works perfectly and is convenient, but fresh or frozen tortellini also shine here. Just be mindful to adjust the cooking time accordingly to avoid overcooking.
The key is to remove the soup from heat before whisking in the heavy cream. This gentle approach keeps the cream from curdling, giving you a silky smooth texture every time.
Yes! To make this Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe vegan, use a dairy-free cream substitute and vegan tortellini. Also, swap regular vegetable broth for a homemade or store-bought vegan version to keep it plant-based.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe is one of those comforting dishes that I keep coming back to because it’s both simple and special. Whether you're making dinner for your family or need a cozy night in, this soup feels like a warm hug in a bowl. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do—once you try it, I’m sure it’ll become a favorite in your recipe rotation, too.
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Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This comforting Tortellini Soup with Spinach combines sun-dried tomatoes, vegetable broth, and creamy heavy cream to create a rich, flavorful soup perfect for a cozy meal. Featuring spinach and cheese tortellini and fresh garnishes, this easy-to-make recipe delivers a delicious and hearty dish in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 8.5 ounces jar of sun-dried tomatoes with Italian seasoning, divided
- 2 tablespoons oil from the sun-dried tomato jar
- 1 cup frozen, sliced carrots
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 15 ounces can of tomato sauce
Main Ingredients
- 12 ounces package of spinach and cheese tortellini
- 1 cup frozen, chopped spinach
- 1½ cups heavy cream
Garnishes (Optional)
- Fresh grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped basil
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Sun-Dried Tomato Oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes over medium heat in a large saucepan or stockpot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the frozen carrots, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning to the hot oil; sauté for 5 minutes or until carrots begin to soften at the edges.
- Add Broth and Tomatoes: Pour in the vegetable broth, tomato sauce, and the sun-dried tomatoes from the jar; discard remaining oil. Stir to combine.
- Cook Tortellini and Spinach: Bring the mixture to a low boil, then add the tortellini and frozen chopped spinach. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until tortellini is tender and soup thickens.
- Finish with Cream: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the heavy cream to avoid curdling.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped basil as desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezing is not recommended as the cream and tortellini texture may be affected.
- To reheat, warm soup gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally; add vegetable broth or water if soup becomes too thick.
- Any type of tortellini (fresh, frozen, or dry) can be used. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Remove the soup from heat before adding cream to prevent curdling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
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