Tortellini Beef Soup (Printable)

Hearty soup with tender tortellini, savory beef, and sweet tomatoes in a rich, creamy broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 9 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 2 cups baby spinach (optional)

→ Pasta

06 - 10 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)

→ Broth & Dairy

07 - 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
08 - 1 cup heavy cream

→ Seasonings

09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
11 - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add finely chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add halved cherry tomatoes, dried Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until tomatoes begin to soften.
04 - Pour in beef broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
05 - Add cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions, usually 4 to 6 minutes, until tender.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and baby spinach if using. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through and spinach wilts.
07 - Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs if preferred.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple, accessible ingredients from your local grocery store
  • Perfect one-pot meal with protein, vegetables, and carbs
  • Creamy broth creates a luxurious texture without heavy cream substitutes
  • Easily customizable with different proteins or vegetables
  • Makes excellent leftovers—the flavors develop even more overnight
  • Kid-friendly comfort food that adults love too
02 -
  • Don't overcook the tortellini—they will continue to soften in the hot broth, so remove from heat as soon as they're tender
  • If making ahead, cook tortellini separately and add just before serving to prevent them from absorbing all the broth
  • Low-sodium beef broth gives you control over the salt level—taste before adding additional salt
  • The soup will thicken as it sits; thin with additional broth when reheating leftovers
  • For extra umami flavor, add a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the tomatoes
  • Grate fresh Parmesan just before serving for the best flavor and texture
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