Thoughts From The Loo

Italian Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Squatch wanted to make a soup several years ago, and came up with this one. It was an instant hit – heck, he even gets me to eat spinach with this one!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground Italian Sausage
  • 1 Small Yellow Onion Chopped
  • 2-3 Large Garlic Cloves Minced
  • 1/2 Cup Dry Red Wine
  • 28 oz Can Whole Peeled Tomatoes
  • 2 Cups Chicken Stock
  • 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 Tsp Brown Sugar
  • 9 or 12 oz Package Tortellini
  • 2 Cups Roughly Chopped Spinach
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • Shaved Parmesan

  1. Drizzle 1 or 2 Tbsp Oil into a large Dutch Oven and place over medium-high heat until shimmery and sizzling hot
  2. Add Italian Sausage and sear until golden brown
  3. Transfer Sausage to another bowl, leaving the fat in the pot, then turn down heat to medium-low and add Onions and a pinch of salt
  4. Cook the Onions, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent
  5. Add Garlic and cook until you start to smell the aroma, only about 5 seconds or so, then add the wine, increasing temperature to high
  6. Allow the liquid to cook out at a raucous boil, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any delicious brown bits
  7. Add the can of Tomatoes, breaking them down into bite-sized chunks
  8. Add Chicken Stock, Balsamic Vinegar, Brown Sugar, and Sausage, seasoning with Salt & Pepper
  9. Bring liquid to a boil and add Tortellini, reducing heat to low and simmering until Tortellini is warmed through, about 10-15 minutes
  10. Add Spinach to pot and stir until wilted

This makes such a delicious soup! I recommend serving with some bread on the side – Italian, French, or Garlic. This is a filling dish that will warm you to the core on a cold day!