We LOVE soup and I’m always looking to expand my collection of the best soup recipes. This one has skyrocketed to the top of my list and I’m currently obsessed with the flavors and textures in the creamy, savory broth that is perfectly seasoned with parmesan cheese. My easy chicken tortellini soup recipe has tender chicken, nutritious veggies, and cheese-filled tortellini cooked in a rich and flavorful broth with just the right amount of cream and parmesan cheese to set it apart from any other soup you have tried. It’s a twist on the classic chicken noodle soup, bringing the rich flavors of Italian seasoning together with the satisfying textures of cheese-filled tortellini. I would include it with other Italian-inspired pasta soup recipes with hearty broths like my Minestrone Soup with Italian Sausage, Italian Wedding Soup, One Pot Lasagna Soup, and Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup! It’s perfect for cold weather or even just busy weeknights where you want to feed the family without the fuss of messing up loads of pots and pans! I have even prepped the soup early in the day, then waiting to add the tortellini and spinach until the evening just before serving.
Why We Love This Recipe
This comforting soup is so versatile! Use your favorite kind of pasta, vegetables, or cheese in this recipe to make it truly your own! It’s a one-pot dish that’s great for feeding the whole family in less than an hour. Great for using a rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken or turkey, and you can even pack leftover veggies into this dish too!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Oil – Use olive oil to sauté the vegetables, providing a base that will carry the flavors throughout the soup. Onion & Garlic – They provide the base aromatics, offering depth and a savory backdrop that enhances the overall taste. Carrots – Adds a touch of sweetness, color, nutrients, and a lovely contrast in texture. Flour – Use all-purpose flour to help thicken the soup, giving it that coveted creamy consistency without needing too much heavy cream. Seasoning – Use a combination of Italian Seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground pepper to amplify the natural flavors of the other ingredients and add the perfect amount of heat without making it spicy. Chicken – I’ve used boneless, skinless chicken breasts in this dish. I always have some in the freezer, it’s lean, cooks quickly, and shreds easily for bite-sized pieces throughout the soup. Broth – Chicken broth is the flavorful liquid base of the soup. You can use vegetable broth or water, if you prefer. Pasta – I’ve used refrigerated cheese tortellini pasta for this comforting dish. These little pockets of cheesy goodness make the soup hearty and satisfying! Heavy Cream – Adds richness and a velvety texture to the soup, balancing the broth beautifully. Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese brings a nutty, salty flavor to the soup and helps thicken the broth too. Spinach – Fresh baby spinach leaves will add color, nutrition, and a mild earthy flavor without overpowering the soup. Parsley – Use fresh parsley for a fresh, herby pop to the final dish that brightens up the presentation.
How to Make This Recipe
Tips for Success
Make sure to simmer the chicken and not boil it. Boiling might overcook the chicken, resulting in a rubbery texture. You can use frozen tortellini, but ensure a slightly longer cooking time to reach the perfect tenderness. Remember to taste test the soup at the end of the cooking time, in case anything needs to be adjusted before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Chicken can be replaced with turkey, ground beef, Italian sausage, and ground pork. For vegetarian or vegan protein options, tofu, tempeh, and canned beans can be used. Pretty much any vegetable can be used for this soup, such as broccoli, green beans, potatoes, mushrooms, peas, celery, corn, or zucchini. Check what you have leftover in the fridge before you begin! If you’re out of Italian seasoning, you can make your own by mixing equal parts of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. Use a non-stuffed pasta if you prefer, or you can opt for cheese-filled ravioli or another stuffed pasta for a twist. For a lighter (but still stuffed) version, choose spinach-filled pasta. You can use half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk as an alternative to heavy cream if you want to cut down on fat or dairy content.
More Delicious Soup Recipes You’ll Love
Zuppa Toscana Soup One Pot Lasagna Soup Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup Easy Minestrone Soup Chicken Avacado Lime Soup Cheesy Taco Soup Chicken Noodle & Dumpling Soup
A slice of my Roasted Garlic & Rosemary No-Knead Artisan Bread with butter is perfect, but you could also try my Grilled Garlic Bread, and even these Cheesy Garlic Mozzarella Swirl Rolls for even more cheesy goodness. Tortellini Soup goes well with a fresh side salad too. Try my Olive Garden Salad with Copycat Dressing, or my Heirloom Tomato Salad with Burrata for some deliciously fresh flavors!
Tom Kha Gai
Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Homemade Wonton Soup
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