Italian Sausage Soup with Sun-Dried Tomato & Oregano Tortellini is the first meal I crave at the earliest hint of fall.
This post was originally written in 2014. I’ve updated the photos, but kept the recipe and narrative the same. Feel free to jump ahead to the recipe using the Jump to Recipe button at the top of the page!
The night before the kids arrived, I put together a pot of soup. The plan was to have a few days worth of homemade food for our highly anticipated weekend in Lake Placid, however, Mother Nature had a different plan. And come to find out, Chels and Nick were quietly hoping for a different outcome as well. (Now I’m thinking the three of them were in cahoots…)
Upon Nick’s arrival, no sooner did he walk through the door, dump his backpack and park his overflowing hamper near the washer – he quickly made his way to the couch, then proceeded to melt-in (in such a way) that there was no gettin’ him back. With the crackle of the fire, the twinkle of the tree, and the promise of comfort in the form of food, pillows, and his own bed – he was not going anywhere. And with Chelsea’s story following a similar suit, it was clear that we were staying put.
Enter Italian Sausage Soup with Sun-Dried Tomato & Oregano Tortellini. A soup so easy to make, you’ll want it on your weekly menu!
As I was saying… Once it was obvious that we weren’t going anywhere, the phrase, “Soup’s on!” rang throughout the house like a giant bell reverberating off the walls.
I was so happy to have Italian Sausage Soup ready to go! Zuppa at its finest!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 lb. spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
- sausage drippings
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 ribs celery, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 12 cups chicken stock
- 1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes in puree
- 1 large zucchini, sliced
- 1/2 lb. tortellini
- 3 heaping Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. cracked black pepper
DIRECTIONS:
-
- In a large stockpot over medium heat, cook both sausages.
- Remove cooked sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add olive oil to the pot.
- Sauté the celery, garlic and onion for 5 – 7 minutes, until soft.
- Add the stock, tomatoes and cooked sausage to the stockpot.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Add the zucchini, tortellini, basil, salt and pepper.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve.
I love how the meaty flavor of the sausage enhances the tomato-flavored stock. In using both sweet and spicy Italian sausage, there’s a nice balance of flavor, which, at the end of the day, is what good soup is all about.
COOK’S NOTES:
- Feel free to use use just sweet sausage, or hot, depending on your preference.
- Cheese tortellini is a fine substitute.
There is no better way to tell someone they’re home like a big bowl of soup…and a comfy couch. Am I right?!
Buon Appetito!
PrintItalian Sausage Soup with Sun-Dried Tomato Tortellini
Description
Italian Sausage Soup with Sun-Dried Tomato & Oregano Tortellini is the first meal I crave at the earliest hint of fall.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 lb. spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
- sausage drippings
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 ribs celery, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 12 cups chicken stock
- 1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes in puree
- 1 large zucchini, sliced
- 1/2 lb. tortellini
- 3 heaping Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. cracked black pepper
Instructions
- In a large stockpot over medium heat, cook both sausages.
- Remove cooked sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add olive oil to the pot.
- Sauté the celery, garlic and onion for 5 – 7 minutes, until soft.
- Add the stock, tomatoes and cooked sausage to the stockpot.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Add the zucchini, tortellini, basil, salt and pepper.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve.
Original post: 12/16/2014 – Updated post: 09/20/2023
Sarah @ Savoring Spoon says
MMm this looks perfect for winter! Also I love eating tortellini, I like how you put them in this soup!
Annie says
Thank you, Sarah!!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Beautiful. Warming. And delicious, Annie! I love, love, love tortellini but have never had it in a soup! Can you believe that?!!? A little wine/gourmet shop around the corner carries tortellini in their freezer case that I eye, regularly. Now I know what I need to do with it. Pure comfort food. Beautiful photography too! Thank you, Annie!!
Annie says
Thank you, Traci. I hope this post inspires you to try tortellini in your soup because it’s so good! The sun-dried tomatoes in the pasta added a slight sharpness that really made a difference. So happy you stopped by!
Judit + Corina @ Glamorous Bite says
What a tasty soup! Just what we are craving in this cooler weather!
Annie says
Thank you!! Mm-hmmmm…this is cool weather soup, for sure!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
This soup looks like just the thing for a lazy weekend on the couch! Love all the flavors and it looks so comforting!
Annie says
Oh yes…that’s what it’s all about…especially at the end of a semester! Thanks, Lindsey!
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
YUM! I just discovered my love of tortellini soups and yours looks amazing! Love the story about your kids – sound just like m teenage brother 😀
Annie says
Love tortellini soups!! You know…there is nothing better than having nothing to do at the end of a busy semester! Thanks, Nora! 🙂
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
this looks so delicious! I love that you added zucchini in this! YUM!
Annie says
Thanks, Michele! The zucchini IS a nice touch!! It’s added right at the end and keeps its texture and flavor.
Amanda says
This soup looks amazing!!!
Annie says
Thank you, Amanda!! 🙂
Joanne says
Those kiddos are definitely in cahoots. But who can blame them when there is soup to be eaten! This sounds amazing. Total comfort.
Annie says
Hahah! Definite cahoots! Thanks, Joanne!!
Laura says
This soup is truly comfort food in a pot and honestly, it’s super nutritious too. I need that right now about my furnace/boiler blew up in the basement yesterday, hello mess, right before Christmas! Ha. The combination of flavors here is wonderful and I think we all know what you would pay at an Italian restaurant for a bowl of soup like this. So when you can make it yourself, you just saved yourself some major $$$.
Annie says
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear about your furnace! Why do things like this always seem to happen at the least opportune times?! Wish I could bring you a pot of soup! Thanks, Laura!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
I love this soup with sausage and all the amazing flavors going on here. This is a must make.
Annie says
Thanks, Kathy! Enjoy!!
Kari Peters says
Anything with Italian Sausage is a hit in our house! I love how the color of your soup is almost glowing, especially in the first photo – looks scrumptious! 🙂
Annie says
Our house, too!! Thanks, Kari!!
Nagi@RecipeTin Eats says
Now THIS is what I call a soup!! I have a theory that Italian Sausage is a secret ingredient that can transform anything into “wow”! I love it, the extra spices etc is like free stock. PLUS the tortellini – you have a winner!
Annie says
Thank you, Nagi! I so agree with your theory about sausage…it is an ultimate transformer! 🙂
Kathleen | HapaNom says
This looks like ‘warm your soul’ type of comfort food! Delicious ingredients and beautiful colors!
Annie says
Ahhhh yes! The best kind of food!! Thanks so much, Kathleen!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Ooh … what a wonderful healthy and comforting winter stew! I love sausage with tomatoes … and what an inspired idea to add a good quality tortellini. I’m definitely going to try this one … so pinning!
Annie says
The soup, before the pasta was added, was quite good, but I have to admit – the tortellini took it over the top! Thanks, Helen!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This soup looks so comforting and delicious, Annie! I love the sound of all the goodies packed in here and the color is just gorgeous! Wish I had a big bowl of this to slurp on!
Annie says
Haha! We had a lot of slurping going on this weekend! Thanks, dear!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
That soup looks lovely Annie! I really love soup with a lot of stuff in it like that, it’s comfort in a bowl. Now to wait for the day that my kids will love it too so I can make it all the time!
Annie says
Thank you, Stacey!! That day is out there, my friend!! You’ll be sharing fun meals with your kiddos before you know it!
mira says
What a gorgeous soup Annie! I will try to make it later today, I’ve been craving a nice soup for a while.
Annie says
Thank you so much, Mira! Enjoy!!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
Gorgeous! Can you blame the kids for wanting to stay home with the comforts provided by Mom? There’s nothing better! Enjoy your family, and I plan on enjoying this soup in the future. 🙂
Annie says
I can’t blame them at all…we had the weekend we were meant to have!! 🙂 Thanks, Andrea! 🙂
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
As it rains overhead and I’m slightly chilly in my apartment, I’m ALL about this soup. Mmm, I want to go to your specialty Italian shop and get some tortellini right now!!
Annie says
This is a perfect rainy day soup!!! Thanks, my dear!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This soup looks fantastic, Annie! A true comfort food meal in my book. I love soups with tortellini in them, makes it so hearty! Sounds like your kids loved this, too!
Annie says
It was a hit, I’m happy to say!! Thanks, Gayle!