There’s something truly satisfying about a warm bowl of comfort that’s also packed with veggies and hearty pasta. This Vegetable Tortellini Soup Recipe brings together fresh vegetables, cheese-filled tortellini, and a creamy broth—making it a soul-soothing meal you’ll want on repeat.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Vegetable Tortellini Soup Recipe is my go-to whenever I want something cozy but not heavy. It’s loaded with fresh, wholesome vegetables and the cheese tortellini adds just the right amount of indulgence without going overboard. Plus, it all comes together beautifully in one pot!
- One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup means you spend more time enjoying your meal and less washing dishes.
- Vegetable-Forward: You’ll get loads of nutrients from carrots, mushrooms, celery, and kale all in one bite.
- Comfort with a Twist: The creamy broth and cheesy tortellini make it a richer, comforting soup without feeling heavy.
- Quick Yet Flavorful: Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something satisfying fast.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Vegetable Tortellini Soup Recipe plays an important role—bringing in layers of flavor and texture. Using fresh veggies alongside herbs and a splash of wine really elevates the taste without turning the cooking process complicated.
- Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil adds richness and helps soften the vegetables without overpowering them.
- Sweet Onion: Adds natural sweetness and depth to the base of the soup.
- Carrots: Provide earthiness and subtle sweetness, balancing the savory components.
- Mushrooms: Bring a meaty, umami flavor that makes the soup more satisfying.
- Celery: Adds crunch and a fresh herbal note to lighten the richness.
- Garlic: Just a little goes a long way to deepen the soup’s savory essence.
- Paprika: Gives a mild warmth and color, enhancing the flavor profile.
- Italian Herb Seasoning: The perfect blend of herbs like oregano and basil adds classic Italian flair.
- Tomato Paste: Adds concentrated umami and a slight tang that balances the creaminess perfectly.
- Dry White Wine: This brightens and lifts the broth, making it taste more complex and layered.
- Vegetable or Chicken Broth: The flavorful base that brings everything together.
- Cheese Tortellini: The star ingredient providing delightful pockets of cheesy goodness in every spoonful.
- Parmesan Cheese: Added inside and on top to enhance the savory, salty notes beautifully.
- Heavy Cream: Gives the broth that luscious, silky finish without being overly heavy.
- Kale: Adds color, texture, and a nutritional punch that brightens the soup.
Make It Your Way
I love how flexible this Vegetable Tortellini Soup Recipe is. You can easily swap in different greens or tortellini fillings, and you can adjust the creaminess depending on how indulgent you’re feeling. It’s a great base to experiment with flavors and textures.
- Variation: I sometimes use spinach or swiss chard instead of kale when I want something more tender—both work wonderfully and change things up just enough for variety.
- Dairy-Free: I’ve also made this with coconut cream instead of heavy cream when cooking for friends who don’t do dairy; it adds a subtle tropical hint, but still keeps that creamy feel.
- Add Protein: For a heartier option, you can toss in shredded chicken or white beans for extra protein that complements the tortellini perfectly.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegetable Tortellini Soup Recipe
Step 1: Wake up the Veggies
Start by heating your olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your diced carrots and onion. I like to give them a good 3-minute sauté to soften up and start releasing their natural sweetness before adding the mushrooms and celery. Sauté everything together for another 3-4 minutes until things are fragrant and just starting to brown.
Step 2: Flavor Building
Add the minced garlic and sauté just for 30 seconds—don’t let it burn! Then stir in your paprika, Italian herb seasoning, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. The tomato paste really clings to all those veggies, boosting the depth of flavor.
Step 3: Deglaze and Simmer
Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan—that’s flavor gold. Follow with the broth, bringing the pot to a boil. Once boiling, lower to a simmer, cover, and let it cook for about 20 minutes until the carrots are nice and tender.
Step 4: The Cheesy Magic
Now add in the cheese tortellini and grated parmesan. Bring everything back to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes until the tortellini is tender and cooked through. Just before serving, gently stir in the heavy cream and chopped kale to wilt it slightly without losing its vibrant color.
Step 5: Enjoy!
I like to sprinkle extra parmesan on top and add a light drizzle of olive oil for that finishing touch. Serve immediately for the best experience—the creamy broth is irresistible when fresh and warm!
Top Tip
Over the years making my Vegetable Tortellini Soup Recipe, I’ve learned a few handy tips that help it always turn out delicious and comforting. These little tricks save time and make sure every bite is packed with flavor and texture.
- Sauté Smart: Don’t rush sautéing the veggies—they build the base flavor so taking time to soften and brown them gently pays off.
- Wine Quality: Use a decent dry white wine you’d enjoy drinking; it really makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Adding Greens: Add kale last so it stays bright and retains a little bite instead of turning mushy.
- Don’t Overcook Tortellini: Keep an eye to prevent tortellini from becoming too soft and falling apart—cook just until tender and enjoy immediately.
Garnishes
I never skip a generous sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan on top—it melts slightly in the hot soup and adds an irresistible savory touch. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat or a swirl of good olive oil for richness.
Side Dishes
For sides, crusty garlic bread or a simple green salad with balsamic vinaigrette make perfect companions. Both add texture contrast and round out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I serve this soup in small cups or mini bowls as an elegant starter. Garnishing with microgreens or thin lemon zest curls makes it feel special and fresh. It’s a great way to impress without much extra effort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. The soup holds up well for 3 to 4 days, though the tortellini absorbs some broth, so it thickens a bit. Adding a little extra broth or water when reheating helps loosen it back up.
Freezing
Freezing this soup with tortellini is possible but I prefer to freeze the broth and veggies separately, then add fresh tortellini when I reheat. This keeps the pasta texture just right instead of mushy.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash more broth or water to loosen the soup if it’s thickened too much—this helps keep the flavors balanced and the texture pleasant.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Frozen veggies work well in this Vegetable Tortellini Soup Recipe—just add them during the simmering step and give a few extra minutes to cook through.
Yes! Use vegan tortellini and swap heavy cream for coconut cream or a cashew cream alternative. Also, choose vegetable broth and skip the parmesan or use a plant-based cheese substitute.
You can prepare the broth and sauté the veggies a day ahead, then assemble and cook the tortellini fresh before serving. This keeps everything tasting fresh and textures perfect.
I highly recommend cheese-filled tortellini for the best creamy, comforting flavor, but feel free to try other fillings like spinach or mushroom depending on your preference.
Final Thoughts
This Vegetable Tortellini Soup Recipe is one of those cozy dishes I always come back to—year-round comfort with fresh vegetables and melty cheese in every bite. It’s an easy way to feel nourished without fuss, and I hope you find yourself making it as often as I do. Seriously, this is the kind of recipe you’ll want on speed dial—it’s just that good.
Print
Vegetable Tortellini Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hearty and comforting one pot vegetable tortellini soup packed with fresh vegetables, tender cheese tortellini, and a creamy broth, perfect for a nourishing meal any day.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 4 medium carrots, diced
- 12 oz mushrooms, diced
- 4 celery ribs, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 7 cups low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb cheese tortellini
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 handfuls kale, chopped
Instructions
- Saute Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over high heat. Once hot, add diced carrots and onion and sauté for 3 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add Mushrooms and Celery: Stir in the diced mushrooms and celery, sauté all together for a few more minutes to develop flavor.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Season and Coat: Add paprika, Italian herb seasoning, salt and pepper to taste, and tomato paste. Stir thoroughly to coat all the vegetables evenly with the spices and paste.
- Add Wine and Broth: Pour in the dry white wine and low sodium broth. Bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Let it simmer for 20 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
- Add Tortellini and Parmesan: Add the cheese tortellini and grated parmesan cheese to the pot, returning the soup to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes until the tortellini are tender.
- Finish with Cream and Kale: Stir in the heavy cream and chopped kale gently to combine. Allow the kale to wilt in the hot soup.
- Optional Toppings and Serve: Optionally top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil before serving. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- This soup is perfect for a cozy meal that nourishes and comforts.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to keep it vegetarian.
- Use fresh kale for best texture; spinach can be a quick substitute.
- Adjust salt and pepper to your preference, especially if using salted broth.
- For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
- White wine adds depth but can be omitted or replaced with extra broth if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 944 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 101 g
- Fiber: 13 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 109 mg
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