When the air gets that crisp chill, you know what I crave? Something that warms you right down to your toes, something that smells like a cozy Sunday afternoon. That’s why I absolutely had to share my ultimate recipe for Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone. Honestly, this soup is proof that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to make something incredible. Growing up, my family depended on these kinds of reliable, deeply flavorful meals when life got hectic. This minestrone brings together rich Italian sausage, all those lovely classic veggies, and those delightful cheesy tortellini swimming in a savory tomato broth. If you need one soup to rely on this season, this is it! For more about my philosophy on simple, connection-focused cooking, you can check out my thoughts over on my author page: Emma Laurent’s Journey.
Why This Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone Is Your New Favorite Comfort Soup Recipes
When I say this is the best comfort soup you’ll ever make, I mean it! This isn’t just throwing things into a pot; it’s layering flavor until you get that rich, soul-soothing taste we all need when the weather dips. It feels rustic and slow-simmered, but honestly, it comes together while most of your veggies are just softening up. It completely lives up to its name—hearty is exactly right!
- It uses simple pantry staples you probably already have.
- The Italian sausage gives this Pasta Soup a major flavor boost right from step one.
- Prep time is fast, meaning dinner happens quicker than you think!
You can find more of my favorite cozy dishes built for cold days over here at Comforting Soup Recipes for Every Season.
Perfect for Winter Soup Recipes and Fall Soups And Stews
There is just something about a thick, steaming bowl when the leaves start turning. This recipe is definitely on my rotation for reliable Fall Soup Recipes. The combination of browned sausage, savory broth, and chewy tortellini makes it feel incredibly substantial—it’s a full meal! It’s perfect for those nights when you need something deeply satisfying but don’t want a heavy stew. It’s the ideal transition food for those cooler evenings.
Gathering Ingredients for Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone
Okay, let’s talk about what you need! The beauty of this Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone is that it relies on simple vegetables and some great pantry friends. I always try to grab fresh, crisp carrots and onions, but honestly, this is the kind of soup that still tastes amazing even if you’re pulling things from the freezer. For the full flavor profile, check out how I use sausage in my Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup, too!
Essential Components for Your Pasta Soup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini or navy beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 9 oz cheese tortellini
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone
Alright, this is where the magic happens! Don’t let the long list of veggies fool you; this soup comes together really fast. The secret sauce here is building flavor right at the beginning before we even get to the liquid. We’re going to brown the sausage, sweat down the aromatics, and then let the main vegetables get friendly with the tomato base. You want everything to just start tasting like *home*. Once that broth is simmering and the vegetables are tender, the quick-cooking tortellini slides right in. It’s an intuitive process, but following these steps ensures you don’t miss any flavor checkpoints. By the way, if you’re looking for a soup recipe that takes a little longer but rewards you even more, check out my recipe for Classic Chicken and Dumplings—it’s pure comfort!
Browning Sausage and Sautéing Aromatics
Grab your biggest pot! We start by heating that olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in your Italian sausage—make sure those casings are off! You need to cook this for about 6 to 7 minutes, breaking it up with your spoon until it’s beautifully browned. This browning is crucial for depth! Now, add your diced onion and cook that down for about 3 minutes, then drop in the garlic and cook just until you can smell it—that’s only about one minute, don’t let it burn! Expert tip: When browning sausage, try not to jam every piece into the bottom of the pot all at once. Give the meat a little space to sear; it develops a better crust and richer flavor that way.
Softening the Minestrone Vegetables
Next up are our veggies! Toss in the carrots, celery, zucchini, green beans, and the bell pepper if you are using it. We’re cooking these together for about 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t sauté them until they are mushy; we just want them to start releasing their flavor and soften just a bit before they go into the broth for a longer simmer.
Simmering the Broth Base for Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone
Time to make this soup really sing! Stir in your crushed tomatoes, your diced tomatoes, and that tablespoon of tomato paste. Give everything a good stir to coat the vegetables. Now pour in all six cups of broth, mixing it all up. This is when you add all those dry spices: basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, thyme, salt, pepper, and those optional red pepper flakes for a little kick. Bring the whole thing up to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat way down to a steady simmer. Let it cook, uncovered mostly, for about 15 to 20 minutes. You want those carrots and celery to be fork-tender by the time this step is done.
Adding Beans and Cooking the Tortellini
Once the vegetables are soft, stir in your rinsed kidney beans and cannellini beans. Let them heat through for about 5 minutes in the simmering broth. Now, the best part: the tortellini! Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to the package—usually 4 to 6 minutes if they are fresh, or 6 to 8 minutes if they are frozen. You must stir them frequently while they cook, seriously, stir them halfway through so they don’t clump up into one giant cheesy clump at the bottom of the pot!
Finishing Touches for Your Healthy Soup Recipes
Almost done! Turn the heat right down to low—we don’t want to boil the pasta once it’s nearly done. Take your fresh spinach or kale and stir it right into the hot soup. It will wilt down in just about 1 to 2 minutes; it happens so fast! Once it’s wilted, give the soup a taste. This is your moment to adjust everything—need more salt? A tiny dash more pepper? Make it perfect for your family. Then ladle it hot into bowls and top generously with that freshly grated Parmesan!
Tips for Success with Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone
I always get asked about tweaks when people first try my recipes, and for this Comfort Soup Recipes winner, there are just a few things I’ve learned over the years that really make a difference. Getting the texture and spice right is key, but it’s also flexible! If you’ve cooked with my Tuscan Tortellini Soup, you know how the pasta can behave. Keep these quick tips in mind for a perfect pot every time.
Ingredient Substitutions for Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone
Feel free to customize this! If you like a little more heat, swap out mild Italian sausage for hot; it really wakes up the broth. Don’t have zucchini? Use more carrots or just add some mushrooms when you do the initial veggie sauté—it adds great earthy flavor. And remember that note about greens? If you use kale instead of spinach, make sure to toss that kale in about five minutes earlier than you would the spinach, since it holds up better in the heat.
Storage and Reheating Instructions for This Comfort Soup Recipes
Even the best soup needs proper storage so it’s just as delicious reheating, right? This Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone should be stored in an airtight container. I prefer clear glass containers because I can see what’s inside! The tricky part with any Pasta Soup is that the tortellini absorbs broth like crazy overnight. If you plan on eating leftovers the next day, I highly recommend storing the soup base (sausage, veggies, broth) separately from the cooked tortellini.
When you reheat, just add the tortellini back in with a splash more broth or water, heat gently on the stovetop, and you’re good to go! For more ideas on making your leftovers last, take a look at how I manage scraps and flavor in my Sweet Potato Lentil Soup post!
Serving Suggestions for Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone
Even though this Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone is absolutely a full meal on its own—it’s packed with protein, veggies, and pasta—it loves a good sidekick! To really lean into that comfort factor, you have to have some amazing bread on hand. There’s nothing better than soaking up that rich, seasoned broth. I always serve mine with thick slices of crusty Italian bread for dunking.
If you want to lighten it up just a touch and add a fresh contrast, a simple side salad tossed with a bright vinaigrette is perfect. Think shaved Parmesan and maybe some toasted walnuts to go with the slight richness of the sausage. If you haven’t tried serving soup in a bread bowl before, you really must! You can find some fun inspiration for that experience here: Bread Bowl Magic. It turns any boring Tuesday into a special night!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone
I’ve gathered a few questions people often ask about this recipe, especially when they are looking for reliable Soup And Stew Recipes for a busy weeknight. Getting the details right ensures you get that deep, comforting flavor every time you make it. We want to make sure this is your new go-to for easy weeknight dinners! For more insights into making satisfying meals, check out my tips on Cozy Healthy Soup Recipes.
Can I make this Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone in a Crockpot Soup Recipes format?
Oh yes, you totally can adapt this for your slow cooker! Just follow Steps 1 through 3—browning the sausage and simmering the veggies—on the stovetop first, because you really need that initial flavor development. Then transfer everything to your slow cooker. The only thing you absolutely must wait for is the tortellini and spinach. Add the tortellini during the last 20 minutes of cooking and wait until the very end to wilt that spinach. It’s a fantastic way to have these great Crockpot Soup Recipes ready when you walk in the door!
How can I make this a lighter, Healthy Soup Recipes version?
That’s a breeze! If you are aiming for slightly lighter, Healthy Soup Recipes, just swap out the standard Italian sausage for mild ground turkey sausage or even chicken sausage. Use low-sodium broth to help manage the sodium content, and definitely don’t skip skimming any excess grease off the top after you brown the meat in Step 1. You still get all the fantastic texture and vegetables without all the extra richness!
What kind of sausage works best for this Pasta Soup?
For the best flavor in this Pasta Soup, you need Italian sausage—sweet or hot, depending on your preference! The key thing, and I cannot stress this enough, is making sure you remove the casings. If you leave them on, they get tough and chewy in the soup, and they won’t break down nicely when you are cooking. Taking the casings off allows the sausage meat to brown properly and flavor all those vegetables.
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone
I know you busy folks want to know what you’re putting in your body, especially if you’re leaning on this as one of your regular High Protein Recipes or weeknight staples. Keep in mind these numbers are just an estimate based on standard ingredient brands, so they might shift a tiny bit with what you use! This snapshot is for one generous serving size.
- Calories: 450
- Total Fat: 22g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
Seeing that high protein count tells me this is a fantastic choice for a filling meal that keeps you energized all evening. You can always see my favorite ways to boost protein in other dishes over at my High-Protein Recipes collection!
Share Your Experience Making This Italian Soup
Seriously, I just love knowing that a recipe jumped from my screen right into your kitchen! Making this Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone means you are now part of our Sena Recipes family, and I really want to hear about it. Did you add extra basil? Maybe you used hot sausage for a real kick? Don’t be shy—drop a rating below (I always appreciate those stars!) and leave a comment telling me how it went.
Sharing your results helps me know what works for all of you home cooks out there, especially when you’re leaning on this for a chilly night or a go-to Winter Soup Recipe. I truly believe in the power of shared food memories, and your feedback helps me keep the recipes reliable and exciting.
Speaking of reliability, I’m Emma Laurent, the Founder and Creative Director of Sena Recipes. My whole goal is to make sure you feel confident in the kitchen, turning every meal into a moment of connection. You can learn more about my mission to bring simple, flavorful comfort food to everyone over on my About Us page. Happy cooking, and I can’t wait to read your soup stories!
Print
Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone
- Total Time: 65 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make this hearty sausage tortellini minestrone for a warming and flavorful meal. This soup combines Italian sausage, classic minestrone vegetables, beans, and cheese tortellini in a rich tomato broth.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini or navy beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 9 oz cheese tortellini
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook 6–7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned. Add diced onion and cook 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in carrots, celery, zucchini, green beans, and bell pepper (if using). Cook 5–7 minutes to soften slightly.
- Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir well. Pour in the broth and mix. Season with basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring soup to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook 15–20 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in kidney beans and cannellini beans. Simmer 5 minutes. Add tortellini and cook 4–6 minutes if fresh, or 6–8 minutes if frozen. Stir halfway through to prevent sticking.
- Turn heat to low. Add spinach or kale and stir until wilted (1–2 minutes). Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Ladle into bowls. Top with freshly grated Parmesan, fresh basil or parsley, and cracked black pepper.
Notes
- If using frozen tortellini, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- You can substitute kale for spinach if you prefer a firmer green.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 40
Keywords: Hearty Sausage Tortellini Minestrone, Winter Soup Recipes, Fall Soup Recipes, Crockpot Soup Recipes, Pasta Soup, Comfort Soup Recipes, Italian Soup