Creamy Tuscan Tortellini Soup

Recipe From: Laura

 [Commence drool....] 😋 If there was ever a comfort food for me, this Creamy Tuscan Tortellini soup would be it !  Why, when there's real parmesan cheese & heavy cream as a part of the blend,  that's a sure sign of a rich, hearty, satisfying soup.  Served at the family Halloween party.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons butter

1 white onion diced

4-5 cloves garlic minced

4 cups chicken broth***see note***

28 ounce can diced Italian tomatoes

1 15 ounce can white cannellini beans drained

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (not in a can)

1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 cups cooked & shredded chicken

9 ounce refrigerated tortellini

2 cups spinach, cut up

1 tube of spicy sausage, cooked

1/2 pkg cream cheese (optional)

 

Instructions:

In a large pot over medium heat, heat up the butter. Add onion and garlic and cook until tender. Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, white beans, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.

Add the chicken, sausage, tortellini, spinach and optional cream cheese. Let simmer for 10 minutes to thicken up and for the tortellini to cook.   ENJOY! ***For me, chicken broth from the store just isn't the same as a rich, homemade broth.  Store broth lacks flavor, is watery, and stripped of all the good stuff.  So I always keep homemade chicken broth in the freezer & add it to soups which helps to thicken 'em.  For this recipe, I used reg. chicken broth from the store but in addition, 2 cups of homemade broth were added to make this soup richer & more flavorful.  It really makes a world of difference in taste because homemade broth is so nutrient dense & full of the good fats which enhance flavor---you just cant get that taste from store bought chicken broth.  This explains why grandma's homemade chicken noodle soup was the best!  She made chicken broth the ol' fashion way. 💗😉