Winter calls for comfort food, and what’s cozier than a steaming bowl of Tortellini Soup? As someone experiencing their first real winter, I’ve found myself craving soups more than ever. Tortellini soup hits the spot perfectly with its creamy texture, protein-packed goodness, and the heartiness of pasta swirling in every spoonful!
Tortellini Soup
Ingredients
**For the Soup:**
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 tablespoon of finely minced garlic
- 2 cups of half and half
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons of softened cream cheese
- 1/4 cup of finely chopped sundried tomatoes
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese adjust to taste
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 10 to 12 ounces of cheese-stuffed tortellini
- 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil
- A large handful of chopped spinach
**For the Ground Beef:**
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and season with Italian seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Break up the meat into small pieces and cook until browned.
- Remove the ground beef and set it aside.
- In the same pot, add lemon juice and butter to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits.
- Add garlic, cherry tomatoes, and tomato paste. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
- In a separate cup, whisk together half and half and all-purpose flour until smooth. Add it to the pot along with chicken broth, stirring well.
- Add cream cheese, sundried tomatoes, and parmesan cheese. Mix until combined.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Return the ground beef to the pot along with tortellini. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until tortellini is softened.
- Stir in spinach, fresh basil, and parsley.
- Serve warm and enjoy the cozy flavors of winter in a bowl!