Gluten-Free Tortellini Soup is perfect for a cold winter day. It combines a velvety, creamy broth swirling with tender gluten-free tortellini, infused with aromatic herbs, sausage, and veggies. Whether you're navigating the world of gluten-free eating or simply craving a comforting soup, this is your ticket to a deliciously satisfying meal that the whole family will love. And it only takes 20 minutes to make!
As Texas winters are short, I got into soup season the second the temperature drops below 70 degrees!! There is just something so comforting about a big bowl of soup on a cold winter day-out of all the soup recipes I've created, this is most certainly one of my favorite recipes.
Not only is this super flavorful dish, but it is also an incredibly easy meal to make. It's perfect for those busy weekday nights when you are craving a satisfying dinner but need something that is low effort.
For more comforting soups check out my Creamy Lasagna Soup, Creamy Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup, or Dutch Oven Chicken Noodle Soup.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Customizable: While this is a gluten-free recipe, with a few modifications you can also make it dairy-free without sacrificing any of the delicious flavor.
- Quick And Easy: With simple ingredients and easy preparation, whipping up a batch of this soup is a breeze, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
- Flavor Packed: The rich tomato base and sausage add richness while the tender tortellini brings a satisfying texture and flavor to every bite.
Ingredients
- Ground Italian Sausage: You will want to look for a ground Italian sausage that does not include sugar. I've been using Mulay's Mild Italian sausage, as the ingredients are minimal and contain no sugar, hormones, or antibiotics.
- Yellow Onion: I love using yellow onions as it is slightly sweeter than a white onion.
- Garlic: Please use fresh garlic, not that stuff you find in the jar.
- Oregano: I tend to use Dried, but fresh is also great if you have it. You can also use Italian seasoning, or any of your favorite fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, or thyme.
- Fennel: Even though my sausage contains fennel, I like to add a bit more. You may want to adjust to your taste.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: I like just a touch of heat in this soup, but if you are using spicy Italian sausage, you might want to omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- Tomato Paste: This adds a nice concentrated tomato flavor that you just can't get by using only canned tomatoes.
- Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: You can use regular diced tomatoes, but I love the touch of smokiness you get from the fire-roasted variety.
- Chicken Broth: You can broth from the grocery store or make a batch of my rotisserie chicken bone broth. If you go the store-bought route, try Bonafide Provisions or Kettle And Fire.
- Tortellini: Fresh Tortellini. My favorite tortellini is Taste Republic's gtluen-free cheese-filled tortellini.
- Coconut Milk: You will want to use full-fat Coconut Milk, as this is what adds richness to the soup. If you are looking for Coconut Milk without any fillers, check out Native Forrest's Coconut Milk. You can find this brand at most grocery stores or you can purchase it online. You can also substitute heavy cream for the coconut milk if you enjoy dairy.
- Fresh Spinach: I love sneaking in a ton of veggies this way! The spinach wilts down and you won't even know it's there!
- Parmesan Cheese: Topping the soup with fresh Parmesan is the pièce de résistance! I'm telling you, do not skip this step, and use freshly grated Italian Parmesan!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions And Variations
- Diary-free: To keep this soup dairy-free, you can omit the parmesan cheese, and use a diary-free tortellini. If you don't have coconut milk you can substitute cashew cream instead.
- Chicken Sausage or Chicken Breast: If you are not a fan of pork sausage, try using chicken sausage instead. If the chicken sausage is lean, you will need to add some olive oil to the pan before sauteeing the onions. You can also make a chicken tortellini soup, by swapping out the ground sausage for chicken breasts.
- Extra Spicy: For an extra kick, try adding in a little more red pepper flakes, or using spicy Italian sausage.
- Veggie Packed: While this recipe calls for spinach, you can easily add kale as well.
- Vegetarian: Leave out the sausage and swap the chicken stock for vegetable broth to make this vegetarian-friendly. Feel free to also add in some white beans to provide additional fiber.
How To Make Gluten Free Tortellini Soup
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1. Place the sausage in a medium to large Dutch oven over medium heat and break it up with your spatula. Cook until the sausage has browned and cooked through.
With a slotted spoon, remove the sausage and set aside. You may also want to remove a little (but not all) of the rendered fat, roughly 1-2 tbsp.
Step 2. Reduce the heat to low and add the diced onions and pinch of salt to the pot. Saute for 5-7 minutes or until the onions are soft.
Step 3. Add the garlic, oregano, fennel, crushed red pepper, and tomato paste and combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
Step 4. Add the broth and diced tomatoes and bring the soup to a boil.
Step 5. Reduce the heat slightly so the soup is simmering, and add the tortellini and sausage. Cook the tortellini about 1 minute shy of the package instructions, as they will continue to cook in the bone broth.
Step 6. Reduce the heat to low and add the coconut milk and spinach, stirring to combine. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt and the flavors to combine. Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a little fresh basil on top.
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Nadia's Expert Tips And Tricks
- Quality Matters: Choose high-quality gluten-free tortellini for the best taste and texture.
- Don't Overcook The Pasta: Be sure to cook the tortellini just shy of the package instructions. They will continue to cook in the hot broth, and if you end up overcooking, the tortellini will become soggy and may fall apart.
What To Serve With Creamy Tortellini Soup
This soup can be served on its own as a meal. You could also pair it with the following:
- Crusty Sourdough Bread: A slice of warm, crusty gluten-free bread is the perfect accompaniment to soak up the creamy goodness of the soup.
- Fresh Green Salad: Balance out the richness of the soup with a light and refreshing green salad tossed with your favorite vinaigrette dressing.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside a medley of roasted vegetables, such as roasted carrots with whipped feta, broccoli, smoked asparagus, and cauliflower, for added texture and flavor.
- Cheese Plate: Create a simple cheese plate with an assortment of cheeses, crackers, and fruits for a gourmet touch that complements the savory flavors of the soup.
- Garlic Breadsticks: Whip up a batch of gluten-free garlic breadsticks to dip into the soup or enjoy on their own as a delicious side dish.
Storage And Reheating
- Storage: Allow the soup to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The tortellini will soak up a lot of the broth, so if possible, remove the tortellini from the soup and store it separately.
- Reheating: You can reheat this soup on the stovetop, just place the broth, and leftover tortellini in a saucepan and simmer on low. You may need to add a little extra chicken stock to thin out the soup if you don't store the tortellini separately.
Recipe FAQs
You can certainly make this diary-free. Although I have not tried it, Kite Hill makes a dairy-free tortellini, however it does contain gluten. It could be a good option if you can tolerate gluten over dairy. Additionally, to keep this recipe dairy-free, you will also want to skip the parmesan or use a dairy-free substitute.
Tortellini is typically made from a pasta dough consisting of flour, eggs, and sometimes water. The dough is rolled out thin and then filled with a mixture of cheese, typically ricotta, and Parmesan, along with various seasonings such as herbs and spices. Traditional tortellini fillings may also include meats like prosciutto or sausage, depending on regional variations.
Yes, you can freeze this soup for later enjoyment. Allow the soup to come to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stove until warmed through.
Absolutely! While our recipe specifically calls for gluten-free tortellini, you can certainly use regular tortellini if gluten is not a concern for you or your guests. Just be sure to adjust cooking times accordingly.
More Related Soup Recipes
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Gluten-Free Tortellini Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian Sausage
- 1 Yellow Onion diced
- 1 pinch Sea Salt
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Oregano dried
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon Fennel if your sausage contains fennel you might want to use ¼ tsp.
- ¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes adjust as needed if you are using spicy sausage
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 14.5oz can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 9 oz Refrigerated Package Of Cheese Tortellini
- 1 cup Coconut Milk full fat
- 3 cups Spinach fresh
- 1-2 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese grated
Instructions
- In a medium to large stock pot or dutch oven over medium heat, place the sausage in the pan and break it up with your spatula. Cook until the sausage has browned and cooked through. With a slotted spoon, remove the sausage and set aside. You may also want to remove a little (but not all) of the rendered fat, roughly 1-2 tbsp.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the diced onions and pinch of salt to the pot. Saute for 5-7 minutes or until the onions are soft.
- Add the garlic, oregano, fennel, crushed red pepper and tomato paste and combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add the broth and diced tomatoes and bring the soup to a boil.
- Reduce the heat slightly so the soup is simmering, and add the tortellini and sausage. Cook the tortellini about 1 minute shy of the package directions, as they will continue to cook in the broth.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the coconut milk and spinach, stirring to combine. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt and the flavoring to combine. Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- Quality Matters: Choose high-quality gluten-free tortellini for the best taste and texture.
- Don't Overcook The Pasta: Be sure to cook the tortellini just shy of the package instructions. They will continue to cook in the hot broth, and if you end up overcooking, the tortellini will become soggy and may fall apart.
Melanie says
So good! I used Publix taste of republic frozen GF tortellini and it turned out amazing. Used ground pork instead of Italian sausage with some extra seasoning and it was great. Used homemade chicken broth which added a beautiful depth. Great recipe!!
Nadia says
Hi Melanie!
Thanks for the comment, and I'm so glad you loved the soup. It's a favorite in our house!.