Cheesy Tomato Tortellini Soup: Quick Comfort Bowl (Print Version)

Warm up with this quick and easy Cheesy Tomato Tortellini Soup. Loaded with rich tomatoes, tender tortellini, and gooey cheese, it's pure comfort in a bowl.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 28 oz can diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
05 - 4 cups vegetable broth
06 - 9 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
07 - 5 oz fresh spinach
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream

→ Flavor Boosters

09 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
10 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt to taste
12 - Black pepper to taste

→ Creamy Elements

13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Finishing Touches

15 - Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, so first things first, grab your favorite big pot or Dutch oven. Drizzle in that olive oil over medium heat. Once it's shimmering, toss in your chopped onion. Stir it around, let it get soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. You want to smell that sweet oniony goodness filling your kitchen, it's the start of something delicious, I promise. Don't rush this part; it sets the stage for all the flavors to come together.
02 - Now, push the onions to one side and add your minced garlic to the cleared spot in the pot. Let it cook for just about 30 seconds until it's fragrant – you'll know when that amazing smell hits you! Be super careful not to burn it; burnt garlic is just sad. Stir in your Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Give everything a good mix, letting those spices warm up and release their aromas for another minute. The kitchen should be smelling incredible by now, honestly.
03 - Pour in those diced tomatoes, undrained, and the vegetable broth. Give it all a good stir, making sure to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot – that's flavor, hon! Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This is where the soup really starts to come alive. I usually let it bubble gently for about 10-15 minutes, just to let those tomato flavors meld and deepen. It's a key step for a truly rich Cheesy Tomato Tortellini Soup.
04 - Now for the star of the show! Carefully add your refrigerated tortellini to the simmering soup. Cook according to package directions, which is usually only about 3-5 minutes for fresh tortellini. You want them tender, but not mushy, so keep an eye on them. This is where I always forget to salt the water, but since it's a soup, we'll season it all at the end. Don't overcook them, or they'll just fall apart, and nobody wants that!
05 - Once the tortellini is cooked, turn the heat down to low. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Stir, stir, stir until all that cheese is melted and gloriously gooey. This is the part where I usually sneak a little taste, just to make sure the cheese-to-soup ratio is <em>just right</em>. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking here. This transforms the soup into that decadent Cheesy Tomato Tortellini Soup we're aiming for.
06 - Finally, toss in handfuls of fresh spinach. Stir it gently until it wilts down into the soup, which happens surprisingly fast. It adds a lovely freshness and a bit of color. Ladle your warm, comforting Cheesy Tomato Tortellini Soup into bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh basil, maybe a little extra Parmesan if you're feeling fancy (I usually am). Take a moment to admire your work before digging in! It's truly a sight for sore eyes, especially after a long day.

# Notes:

01 - Don't let the soup boil *after* adding the cream and cheese; it can cause the dairy to separate and get a weird texture. Keep it on a gentle simmer, or just off the heat, for that smooth finish.
02 - Overcooking the tortellini is my biggest oops! They go from tender to mushy so quickly. Stick to the package time, seriously.
03 - Always taste and adjust seasoning at the very end. Different broths and tomatoes have different salt levels, so trust your palate for the perfect Cheesy Tomato Tortellini Soup.
04 - For extra depth, try adding a tablespoon of tomato paste with the garlic. It really intensifies that tomato flavor, especially if your canned tomatoes are a bit mild.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot or Dutch oven
02 - cutting board
03 - knife
04 - ladle

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 20g

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