Creamy Vegetable Tortellini Soup (Printable Version)

Tender tortellini simmered in a rich, creamy broth with fresh vegetables for a comforting bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 zucchini, diced
07 - 1 cup baby spinach, packed

→ Tortellini

08 - 9 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini

→ Broth and Cream

09 - 4 cups vegetable broth
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

→ Garnish

16 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and diced zucchini; cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
04 - Add cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, typically 3 to 5 minutes, until just tender.
05 - Lower heat to a gentle simmer. Stir in heavy cream, milk, Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
06 - Add spinach and simmer until wilted, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
07 - Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and seasonings as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, meaning less cleanup and more time for bread dipping
  • The creamy broth feels luxurious without requiring hours of simmering or complex techniques
  • This is one of those rare recipes that actually tastes better the next day
02 -
  • The tortellini will continue absorbing liquid, so the soup thickens considerably as it sits
  • Adding cream to boiling liquid can cause separation, so reduce heat first
  • This soup freezes reasonably well, but the tortellini texture will change slightly
03 -
  • If reheating, add a splash of broth or milk since it will thicken overnight
  • Reserve some pasta water when cooking tortellini to adjust consistency later
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