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Comforting Tortellini Soup Recipe with Spinach and Ricotta

comforting tortellini soup - featured image

A quick and easy tortellini soup featuring fresh spinach and creamy ricotta, perfect for cozy dinners and busy nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • 4 cups loosely packed fresh spinach (about 120 grams), washed and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable or chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (blend of dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat for about 1 minute until shimmering.
  2. Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until translucent and fragrant.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, watching carefully so it doesn’t burn.
  4. Pour in 6 cups of vegetable or chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil (about 8-10 minutes).
  5. Add cheese tortellini directly to the boiling broth. Cook according to package instructions, typically 3 to 5 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Once tortellini is nearly cooked, stir in fresh chopped spinach. It will wilt quickly in about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Lower heat to medium-low and gently dollop ricotta cheese into the soup. Slowly stir to incorporate, creating a creamy texture. Avoid over-stirring.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired. Let simmer gently for another 2 minutes.
  9. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Optionally, add a drizzle of olive oil or fresh basil leaves.

Notes

Do not overcook tortellini to avoid mushy texture. Add spinach last to keep it fresh and bright. Stir ricotta gently over low heat to maintain creamy texture. If soup is too thick, add broth or water to loosen. Avoid boiling after adding ricotta to prevent clumping.

Nutrition

Keywords: tortellini soup, spinach soup, ricotta soup, easy soup recipe, comforting soup, quick dinner, Italian soup