Name: Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 oz spicy Italian sausage; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked); ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (plus more to taste); Salt to taste (about ¼ teaspoon, optional); 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed (or 2 small); 5 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 6 cups water; 8 oz refrigerated three-cheese tortellini (such as Buitoni brand); 4 oz fresh spinach; 4 tablespoons fresh thyme (for topping); ½ cup heavy cream

If you’re craving something cozy, rich, and downright comforting, you’re in the right place. This Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe quickly became a favorite in my kitchen—and I promise, it might just become your go-to weeknight comfort meal too. It’s packed with savory sausage, tender sweet potatoes, cheesy tortellini, and a luscious creamy broth that feels like a big, warm hug in a bowl. Stick with me, and I’ll share all the tips I’ve picked up so your soup turns out perfect every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultimate Comfort Food: Creamy, hearty, and packed with flavor, this soup warms you up from the inside out.
Simple Ingredients: Everyday pantry staples come together to create restaurant-quality soup without fuss.
One-Pot Wonder: Less cleanup, more flavor—everything cooks in one pot, making dinner a breeze.
Customizable Heat: You control the spice level whether you want it mild or with a little kick.

A pan filled with creamy soup that has three main layers: a light orange creamy broth with small oil spots on top, floating bright orange chunks of squash, and pale yellow tortellini pasta. The soup also has bits of cooked ground meat spread evenly and green spinach leaves and fresh thyme sprigs scattered on the surface, giving a mix of colors and textures in each spoonful. The pan is black with a handle that has the word “STAUB” on it. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup, Sausage Tortellini Soup, comforting creamy soup recipes, hearty sausage soup, easy weeknight soup ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe plays a special role, balancing savory meatiness with creamy, subtle sweetness and vibrant greens. I always look for fresh tortellini from the refrigerated section—it makes a huge difference in texture!

Flat lay of spicy Italian sausage links, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a small white bowl filled with Italian seasoning herbs, a small white bowl with bright red paprika powder, a large peeled and cubed sweet potato, five garlic cloves peeled, a small white bowl with red pepper flakes, a small white bowl containing smooth tomato paste, a small white bowl of clear water, a few bundles of fresh three-cheese tortellini pasta, a small pile of vibrant fresh spinach leaves, a small white bowl with heavy cream, and fresh green thyme sprigs arranged symmetrically, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup, Sausage Tortellini Soup, comforting creamy soup recipes, hearty sausage soup, easy weeknight soup ideas

Sausage: I prefer spicy Italian sausage for that perfect kick, but you can opt for mild if you like it gentler.
Olive oil: A good-quality olive oil helps brown the sausage and adds depth to the base.
Italian seasoning: This blend amps up the savoriness without needing a dozen herbs separately.
Paprika: Smoked or regular paprika brings warmth and a subtle smoky sweetness.
Sweet potato: Adds natural sweetness and creaminess, plus an extra nutritional boost.
Garlic: Five cloves might sound like a lot, but trust me—garlic is the heart of this soup.
Red pepper flakes: Adjust based on your spice tolerance; a little goes a long way.
Tomato paste: Adds richness and a slight tang to brighten the broth.
Water: I like using water instead of stock here since the sausage holds so much flavor.
Tortellini: Three-cheese tortellini is my absolute favorite here for that cheesy surprise in every bite.
Fresh spinach: Adds freshness and a lovely pop of color at the end.
Heavy cream: This is where the magic happens — it makes the broth ultra-rich and silky.
Fresh thyme: A few tablespoons give the soup an irresistible herbal aroma and finish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this creamy sausage tortellini soup recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you want to add more veggies or swap out ingredients, customizing is part of the fun!

Vegetable Boost: I sometimes toss in chopped kale or mushrooms for extra earthiness and texture—just add them along with the spinach.
Meat Alternatives: Ground turkey or chicken sausage work great if you want something leaner, though the flavor will be a bit milder.
Dairy-Free Twist: For dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a cashew cream, and skip the cheese tortellini for a plant-based version.
Spice Level: Adjust the red pepper flakes or use hot sausage to get the heat just right for your family.

How to Make Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Sausage Perfectly

Start by heating olive oil in a large, high-sided pot over medium heat. Crumble in your sausage and cook until it’s browned through, stirring frequently. You’ll want to get some nice caramelization without burning it—this is where lots of the flavor starts. Once cooked, drain off excess grease so the soup isn’t too oily. Then sprinkle in your Italian seasoning and paprika, stirring to coat that sausage with those lovely herbs and spices.

Step 2: Build the Soup Base

Next, add the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste directly to the pot. Stir everything together to blend the flavors, then pour in 6 cups of water. I prefer water here because the sausage adds tons of savory depth, so no extra stock is really needed. Bring the pot to a boil, stirring to dissolve the tomato paste fully.

Step 3: Simmer Until Tender

Once boiling, reduce the heat so the soup simmers with a gentle bubble. Cover with a lid and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. This slow simmer melds all those flavors beautifully, making the broth rich and hearty.

Step 4: Add Tortellini and Spinach

Now, gently drop in the tortellini, cover, and let it cook for about 10 minutes—or according to the package directions. The tortellini will cook right in the soup, so everything gets infused with that savory broth. Just before you finish, stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt—this only takes a minute and brightens up the whole dish.

Step 5: Stir in Cream and Finish

Finally, remove the pot from heat and swirl in the heavy cream, giving the soup that luscious, silky texture that makes this recipe truly special. Taste test and add salt if needed—some sausages are salty enough, so use your judgment here. More red pepper flakes can also be added now if you want extra heat. Sprinkle fresh thyme on top for that fresh herbal note and you’re ready to serve!

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

Always Brown the Sausage Thoroughly: This adds rich flavor and a beautiful base to the soup—don’t rush this step.
Use Fresh Refrigerated Tortellini: It cooks faster and tastes so much better than dried versions in this soup.
Taste Before Salting: Sausage varies in saltiness, so add salt sparingly and adjust at the end.
Don’t Overcook Tortellini: Keep an eye on cooking time to prevent mushiness—follow package guidelines closely.

How to Serve Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a white bowl filled with three layers of creamy soup. The first layer is a light orange creamy broth with small oil droplets on the surface. The second layer has large orange chunks of cooked squash or sweet potato scattered evenly. The third layer shows green spinach leaves, small brown cooked ground meat pieces, and five yellow tortellini pasta pieces floating on top. There are small green herb leaves sprinkled over everything, and a small sprig of fresh thyme lies in the middle of the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup, Sausage Tortellini Soup, comforting creamy soup recipes, hearty sausage soup, easy weeknight soup ideas

Garnishes

I love topping this soup with a little extra fresh thyme and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. Sometimes I add a handful of grated Parmesan or a drizzle of good-quality olive oil for that final burst of richness. A few torn basil leaves can also add a nice fresh pop if you have it on hand.

Side Dishes

Since this soup is a meal in itself, I usually keep sides simple—warm crusty bread or garlic bread is my favorite. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette also pairs perfectly, cutting through the richness nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ll ladle the soup into mini bread bowls or hollowed-out sourdough loaves—it’s impressive and adds an extra comforting touch. An easy way to amp up presentation is to swirl a little pesto or drizzle some chili oil right before serving for a colorful, flavorful finishing touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After it cools, I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Pro tip: because the tortellini absorbs a lot, the soup will thicken—just add a splash of water or broth when reheating to loosen it back up.

Freezing

I usually avoid freezing tortellini soup since the pasta can get mushy after thawing, but if you want to freeze it, keep the pasta separate and add fresh when reheating. The broth freezes beautifully and keeps well for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a little water or broth if the soup feels too thick. Avoid microwave reheating if possible, as it can unevenly heat the cream and make it separate.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini for this soup?

Yes, you can use frozen tortellini—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and monitor closely so it doesn’t overcook.
What kind of sausage works best?

Spicy Italian sausage adds great flavor and heat, but mild sausage or even a milder breakfast sausage can be used depending on your preference.
Can I make this soup vegan or vegetarian?

For a vegetarian version, swap sausage for plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of water, and dairy-free cream alternatives like coconut or cashew cream. Skip the cheese tortellini or choose a vegan brand.
How spicy is this soup?

The heat depends on your sausage choice and how much red pepper flakes you add. You can easily control it to be as mild or as spicy as you like.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup Recipe is one of those dishes that feels special but comes together effortlessly—perfect for cozy nights or when you want to impress without stress. I love how every spoonful delivers cheesy, savory goodness with just the right amount of spice and creaminess. Give it a try, and I’m sure it’ll find a happy spot in your recipe rotation, just like it did in mine!