Description
This hearty Tortellini Soup combines lean ground beef, fresh vegetables, and cheese tortellini in a savory tomato-based broth with Italian seasonings. Perfect for a comforting meal, it’s easy to prepare and offers a delicious balance of protein, greens, and pasta.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 2 cups (2 oz) spinach, roughly chopped
- 3 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Broth and Seasonings
- 3 (14.5 oz) cans low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
- 3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pasta
- 1 (9 oz) pkg. cheese tortellini
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground beef into chunks and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Turn and break up the beef, cooking until no longer pink. Transfer beef to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 1/2 Tbsp of fat in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add chopped onions, diced celery, and carrots to the pot. Cook until vegetables start to soften, about 7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and cooked beef. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are nearly tender, about 15 minutes.
- Prepare Tortellini for Leftovers (Optional): If reserving soup for leftovers, reduce broth to 4 1/4 cups. Cook tortellini separately in boiling water for 4-7 minutes following package instructions. Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Add Tortellini and Greens: If cooking soup for immediate serving, add tortellini directly to the soup during the last 4-7 minutes of cooking. Stir in spinach and parsley, cooking until wilted, about 1 minute. For leftovers, add tortellini separately when reheating.
- Serve: Ladle hot soup into bowls and serve immediately. Garnish with extra parsley if desired for a fresh finish.
Notes
- When making leftovers, keep tortellini separate to avoid overcooking and mushiness when reheating.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels according to taste.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness, but you can substitute with dried if needed—use about 1 tsp dried parsley instead of fresh.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- The soup freezes well but add tortellini fresh when reheating for best texture.