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A hearty, creamy soup that marries tender tortellini with savory Italian sausage in a rich, flavorful broth. The combination of fresh kale and aromatic seasonings creates a restaurant-quality dish that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those cozy weeknight dinners.
After discovering this recipe during a chilly autumn evening, it's become my go-to comfort soup. The way the cream sauce clings to each tortellini makes every spoonful absolutely satisfying.
Essential Ingredients with Purpose
- Italian sausage: Choose hot or mild based on your spice preference - it's the flavor foundation
- Tortellini: Fresh refrigerated ones maintain their texture best
- Heavy cream: Creates that silky, luxurious broth
- Kale: Adds texture and nutrients while holding up well in hot soup
- Hot sauce: Enhances flavors without making it spicy
- Mustard powder: Adds depth without tasting mustardy
- Chicken broth: Use low-sodium to control saltiness
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Detailed Cooking Instructions
- Step 1: Start with the base
- Brown sausage until golden, breaking into small pieces
- Add onions and cook until translucent and fragrant
- Stir in garlic until just fragrant, about 30 seconds
- Sprinkle flour and cook to remove raw taste
- Step 2: Build the flavor base
- Add seasonings - basil, oregano, mustard powder
- Mix in hot sauce and spices until fragrant
- Cook for 30 seconds to bloom spices
- Add flour, stirring constantly for 2 minutes
- Step 3: Create the creamy broth
- Pour in broth gradually, stirring to prevent lumps
- Add cream in a steady stream while whisking
- Bring to gentle simmer, not full boil
- Let thicken slightly, about 5 minutes
- Step 4: Add final elements
- Drop in tortellini, cook until just tender
- Add kale in batches, letting each handful wilt
- Simmer until pasta is perfectly cooked
- Adjust seasoning to taste
- Step 5: Perfect the finish
- Check pasta doneness
- Adjust thickness with extra broth if needed
- Taste and add salt if necessary
- Let rest 2 minutes before serving
My Italian grandmother taught me that adding a Parmesan rind to the simmering broth creates an incredible depth of flavor. Now I save all my rinds in the freezer just for soups like this.
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Temperature Tips
The key to silky smooth soup is temperature control. Keep it at a gentle simmer to prevent the cream from separating and the tortellini from breaking apart.
Make-Ahead Magic
If planning for leftovers, cook tortellini separately and add to individual bowls when serving. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much liquid during storage.
After years of making this soup, I've learned that patience with the base creates the richest flavor. Let each layer develop fully before moving to the next step. The result is a restaurant-quality soup that brings comfort with every spoonful.