Friday, September 29, 2017

Tortellini Soup with Spinach and Kielbasa


No matter how hard I tried, there was just no way to make this soup look as pretty and delicious as it tasted. I suppose if I had topped it with grated Parmesan, as I did before I ate it, it would have looked better; a sprinkling of freshly chopped parsley probably wouldn't have hurt either. But, despite its rather humble appearance, this soup is big on taste.

I found a package of cheese tortellini while cleaning the fridge the other day, and thought tortellini soup sounded so good. It didn't bother me that it was 95° outside. It was, after all, the month of September, and come September I switch into Soup Mode, weather be damned. In my search for recipes using cheese tortellini, I stumbled upon an interesting one on epicurious.com. I adapted it to kick the kale to the curb (I am so over kale!), replacing it with the spinach that I always tend to have in my fridge. 

When I make it again, and I will, I'll add another can of cannellini beans, there weren't enough in here to suit me. I found this tasty and satisfying, not to mention a wonderfully hearty bowl of goodness. This soup will fill you up. All it needs is a nice roll, or piece of cornbread, and you have a wonderful meal. It keeps up to three days in the fridge; the jury is still out as to how well it freezes. I have a number of containers of it in my freezer, and come winter when I thaw them out, I'll let you know.
Tortellini Soup with Spinach and Kielbasa
Slightly adapted from epicurious.com

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 12-ounce fully cooked smoked kielbasa sausage, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup chopped fresh fennel (do not omit!)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½  teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
10 cups low sodium chicken stock
4 cups of baby spinach
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 9-ounce package cheese tortellini
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oil in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add next six ingredients, sauté until vegetables are soft and Kielbasa is brown, about 12 minutes. Stir in stock and bring to a boil. Stir in cannellini beans, reduce heat to low and simmer about four minutes. Stir in spinach and allow to wilt. Add tortellini to the soup and simmer until pasta is tender, but still firm, about five minutes. Serve topped with grated Parmesan.

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6 comments:

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

I'm with you. If it is the end of September , it's soup weather !! We are having matzo ball soup tonight!!
I find soup often doesn't photograph well.. but non the less it sounds delicious.

xinex said...

This soup looks so good, Pattie! I think it looks pretty too. Thanks for the recipe!....Christine

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Most soups aren't beautiful when photographed but can be beautiful when eaten. Yours sounds wonderful!

Karen Del Tatto said...

This looks delicious! I am still a kale lover. haha. Thanks for sharing!

Jay said...

I love soups year round! I would love you to share this on Smell Good Sunday https://jaytriedandtrue.blogspot.com/2017/10/smell-good-sunday-34.html

Miz Helen said...

We will love this soup and can't wait to taste it! I really appreciate you sharing your awesome post and your talent with us at Full Plate Thursday.
Have a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen