This Tortellini Soup is the kind of meal you’ll want to make on repeat—it’s hearty, full of flavour, and comes together in just over an hour. With tender tortellini, fresh veggies, and a rich tomato-broth base, it’s everything you love about comfort food in one cozy bowl. Perfect for busy weeknights yet special enough for a weekend dinner, this soup is simple to make and always satisfying. Pair it with crusty bread or a crisp side salad, and you’ve got a wholesome meal the whole family will devour!
Tortellini Soup Ingredients
Here’s a quick look at the main ingredients you’ll need to make this cozy soup:
- Tortellini: Fresh cheese or meat tortellini makes this soup extra filling. Use your favourite variety!
- Vegetables: A mix of carrots, celery, onions, and spinach adds wholesome goodness.
- Tomatoes & Broth: High-quality canned diced tomatoes and chicken (or vegetable) broth form a flavourful base.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a warm, herby flavour.
- Optional Bacon: Diced smoked bacon adds depth, but it’s totally optional for a vegetarian version.
Vegetarian Tortellini Soup
Turning this Tortellini Soup into a vegetarian version is super simple and just as delicious! Here’s how:
- Skip the Bacon: Leave out the bacon for a completely vegetarian-friendly soup.
- Use Vegetable Broth: Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth to keep the base flavourful and plant-based.
- Choose Cheese Tortellini: Opt for cheese-filled tortellini instead of meat-filled options for a hearty and satisfying bowl.
- Swap the Parmesan: For a vegetarian topping, replace Parmesan with Montello hard cheese or any other vegetarian-friendly alternative.
With these easy tweaks, you’ll have a cozy and nourishing Vegetarian Tortellini Soup.
How to Make Tortellini Soup
This soup is simple, yet so satisfying. Here’s a quick overview of the process:
Step 1: Sauté the aromatics
Start by cooking bacon (if you’re using it) in olive oil, then sauté carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes for extra flavour.
Step 2: Build the base
Add tomato paste, canned tomatoes, broth, and a bay leaf. Bring everything to a simmer and let it cook for 30 minutes so the flavours can meld.
Step 3: Add tortellini and spinach
Stir in the tortellini and cook it until al dente. Add a few handfuls of spinach, let it wilt, and finish with salt and pepper to taste. That’s it—ladle into bowls, top with Parmesan, and enjoy!
Find the full list of ingredients and exact quantities in the printable recipe card below.
Reasons to Love This Tortellini Soup
- One-pot wonder: Easy to make and clean up, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Hearty and satisfying: Packed with tender tortellini, fresh veggies, and a flavourful broth.
- Customisable: Swap out ingredients to suit your preferences—cheese or meat tortellini, vegetarian or with bacon!
- Family favourite: Even picky eaters will love this cozy, comforting soup.
Tortellini is such a versatile ingredient, perfect for creating quick, delicious meals. If you’re a fan of these little pasta pockets, here are two recipes from the blog that you’re sure to love:
- Easy Tortellini Casserole: A quick and satisfying dish made with fresh tortellini, a rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. It’s perfect for weeknights and is a hit with the whole family.
- Baked Tortelloni with Italian Sausage: This hearty, flavour-packed bake combines juicy Italian sausage with tortelloni, a savoury tomato sauce. It’s comfort food at its finest.
Both of these tortellini recipes showcase how easy it is to turn tortellini into a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal. Try them out for your next cozy dinner!
Tortellini Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 30 g diced smoked bacon (optional, adds depth of flavour)
- 2 large carrots, finely diced
- 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 2 small to medium yellow onions, finely chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoons red pepper flakes, adjust to taste
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth, plus more if needed
- 1 x 400 g can diced tomatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 x 250-300 g package fresh cheese or meat tortellini (choose your favourite)
- 3-4 handfuls baby spinach
- Shaved or grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
Method
-
Sauté the Bacon and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot (or Dutch Oven) over medium-high heat. Add the bacon (if using) and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often. Then add the carrots, celery, onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft and translucent. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
-
Cook the Tomato Paste: Push the vegetables to the sides of the pot to create a small space in the center. Add the tomato paste and stir it constantly for 1 minute to caramelise it slightly. This step deepens the flavour. Then stir the tomato paste into the vegetables.
-
Simmer the Soup Base: Pour in the broth, diced tomatoes, and add the bay leaf. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it lightly simmer for 30 minutes.
-
Cook the Tortellini and Wilt the Spinach: Turn the heat up to medium and add the tortellini. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente (typically 2-3 minutes). Add the spinach and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. If the soup is too thick, add more broth until your desired consistency is achieved.
-
Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls, season with freshly ground black pepper, and top with shaved or grated Parmesan, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Advance Preparation: Making this soup ahead of time is easy! Simply prepare the soup base (leave out the tortellini and spinach) and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the soup and add the tortellini and spinach fresh. This ensures the pasta stays perfectly tender and the spinach remains vibrant and fresh.
For a relaxing atmosphere in the kitchen I recommend my personal Elle Republic: Chilled Out Kitchen Tunes Playlist on Spotify.
Did you try this Tortellini Soup recipe?
Did you try this Tortellini Soup recipe?Then tag @ellerepublic on Instagram and hashtag it #ellerepublic
How did you like it?
Please let me know how this Tortellini Soup recipe turned out for you! I would love to hear how you liked it. Simply rate it with the stars above ⭐or leave me a comment and rate it below.
Did you make any changes to this recipe?
If you have tips for other readers, let me know! It helps me and other readers so much. Sharing is Caring :-).
