This Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup is a bowl of comfort, packed with hearty vegetables, cheesy tortellini, all simmered in a rich and flavorful tomato-infused broth.
Most of the ingredients for this delicious soup are pantry staples like canned diced tomatoes and a variety of common vegetables. However, the 3-cheese tortellini might not be something you have on hand. You can usually find it in the refrigerated pasta section of your supermarket. Don't forget to pick up some fresh spinach and Romano cheese as well.
Ingredients for Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Olive oil: This is used for sautéing the vegetables, enhancing their flavor.
Carrots: They add a sweet touch and vibrant color to the soup.
Yellow onion: It gives the soup a mild, sweet flavor.
Celery: Adds a nice crunch and fresh flavor.
Green beans: They are low in calories and a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Zucchini: This vegetable adds a soft texture and mild flavor.
Garlic: It adds a robust flavor to the soup.
Chicken broth: It forms the base of the soup, providing depth and flavor.
Diced tomatoes: They enrich the soup with a tangy taste and appealing color.
Basil, Rosemary and Thyme: These herbs add an Italian flavor to the soup.
3-cheese tortellini: It makes the soup hearty and adds a cheesy delight.
Spinach: This leafy green is packed with nutrients and adds a nice color contrast.
Romano cheese: This cheese is used as a garnish before serving and adds a sharp, salty flavor.
One reader, Grant Clemmons says:
This Tuscan tortellini vegetable soup is a game-changer! The blend of flavors is simply divine, and the veggies add a delightful crunch. The tortellini is a perfect addition, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. I highly recommend trying this recipe - it's a winner!
Essential Techniques for Making Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup
How to sauté vegetables: Sauté the carrots, onion, and celery in olive oil over medium-high heat for 3 minutes, then add the green beans and sauté for an additional 3 minutes. Finally, add the zucchini and garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
How to cook tortellini: Add the tortellini to the soup and boil for 5 to 7 minutes, or 2 minutes less than the package directions. For a more brothy soup, boil the pasta separately from the soup, then add it at the end.
How to wilt spinach: Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 minutes longer until it wilts.
How to serve: Serve the Tuscan tortellini vegetable soup warm, topped with Romano or Parmesan cheese.
How To Make Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Serve a nourishing bowl of this tortellini vegetable soup that comes with spinach, green beans, and zucchini cooked in a flavorful broth.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2tbspolive oil
- 1½cupscarrots,chopped
- 1½cupsyellow onion,(1 medium), chopped
- 1cupcelery,(about 3 stalks), chopped
- 2cupsgreen beans,chopped, about 1 inch pieces
- 2cupszucchini,(about 2 small), chopped
- 4clovesgarlic,minced
- 43.5ozlow sodium chicken broth,(3 cans), or vegetable broth
- 29ozdiced tomatoes,(2 cans)
- 1tspeach dried basil and rosemary,crushed
- ½tspthyme,dried
- salt and freshly ground black pepper,to taste
- 9oz3-cheese tortellini,(1 pkg), refrigerated
- 3cupsspinach,packed
- shredded Romano cheese,or parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add carrots, onion, and celery and saute for 3 minutes.
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Add green beans and saute for 3 minutes longer. Add zucchini and garlic and saute for 1 more minute.
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Pour in broth and tomatoes. Add basil, rosemary, thyme, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium and allow to boil for 8 minutes.
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Add tortellini and boil for 5 to 7 minutes longer (or 2 minutes less than directions listed on the package.) For a more brothy soup, boil the pasta separately from the soup, then add at the end.
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Stir in spinach and cook for 2 minutes longer.
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Serve warm topped with Romano or Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Calories: 196.88kcal
- Fat: 8.31g
- Saturated Fat: 1.78g
- Trans Fat: 0.05g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4.64g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.29g
- Carbohydrates: 25.25g
- Fiber: 7.74g
- Sugar: 10.58g
- Protein: 9.77g
- Cholesterol: 2.98mg
- Sodium: 1326.89mg
- Calcium: 140.62mg
- Potassium: 1027.62mg
- Iron: 3.12mg
- Vitamin A: 379.99µg
- Vitamin C: 39.79mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Perfecting Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup
When sautéing the vegetables, it's important to add them in the order listed in the recipe. This is because different vegetables have different cooking times. If you add them all at once, some may become overcooked while others are still undercooked. By adding the harder vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery first, they get a head start on cooking before you add the softer vegetables like green beans and zucchini. This ensures that all the vegetables are perfectly cooked and have the right texture.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Tuscan Tortellini Soup Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop and measure all your vegetables in advance to save time during the cooking process.
Use pre-made broth: Opt for store-bought low-sodium chicken broth instead of making it from scratch to cut down on prep time.
Quick-cook pasta: Choose quick-cook tortellini to reduce the overall cooking time of the soup.
One-pot cooking: Make the soup in a single pot to minimize cleanup and streamline the cooking process.
Efficient multitasking: While the soup is simmering, use that time to prepare the spinach and any other finishing touches.
Substitute Ingredients For Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup Recipe
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar mild flavor and high smoke point, making it a suitable substitute for olive oil in this recipe.
carrots - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash provides a slightly sweet and nutty flavor, adding a unique twist to the soup while still providing a hearty texture.
yellow onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor compared to yellow onions, enhancing the overall taste of the soup.
celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel has a similar crunchy texture and a subtle, slightly sweet flavor that complements the other vegetables in the soup.
green beans - Substitute with sugar snap peas: Sugar snap peas provide a similar crisp texture and a slightly sweeter flavor, adding a delightful crunch to the soup.
zucchini - Substitute with yellow squash: Yellow squash offers a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a suitable replacement for zucchini in the soup.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can be used as a milder alternative to garlic, providing a delicate flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
low sodium chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used as a vegetarian-friendly alternative, adding depth of flavor to the soup while still providing a savory base.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes offer a thicker consistency and a more intense tomato flavor, enhancing the richness of the soup.
dried basil - Substitute with dried oregano: Dried oregano provides a robust, earthy flavor that complements the other herbs and spices in the soup.
dried rosemary - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme offers a similar earthy and slightly floral flavor, adding depth to the soup's aroma and taste.
thyme - Substitute with marjoram: Marjoram has a slightly sweeter and more delicate flavor compared to thyme, enhancing the overall herb profile of the soup.
3-cheese tortellini - Substitute with spinach and cheese tortellini: Spinach and cheese tortellini provide a flavorful and vegetarian-friendly alternative, adding a delightful burst of spinach and cheese filling to the soup.
spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale offers a hearty texture and a slightly earthy flavor, adding a nutritious and robust element to the soup.
romano cheese - Substitute with parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese provides a similar nutty and savory flavor, enhancing the richness of the soup.
How to Beautifully Present Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Elevate the plating: As a chef, presentation is key. When plating this Tuscan tortellini vegetable soup, ensure that the vegetables are evenly distributed and the tortellini is showcased prominently. Use a wide, shallow bowl to allow the vibrant colors of the vegetables to shine through.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle the soup with freshly chopped basil and rosemary to add a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor. This will not only enhance the visual appeal but also elevate the aroma of the dish.
Consider the bowl selection: Opt for elegant, porcelain bowls to serve the soup. The smooth, white surface of the bowls will provide a beautiful contrast to the colorful ingredients, creating a visually stunning presentation.
Artful drizzle of olive oil: Before serving, drizzle a high-quality olive oil in a circular motion over the soup. This not only adds a touch of sophistication but also imparts a rich, luxurious flavor to the dish.
Sprinkle with aged Romano cheese: Finish the presentation by delicately sprinkling the soup with finely grated Romano cheese. The nutty, savory notes of the cheese will complement the flavors of the soup and add a gourmet touch to the dish.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Tuscan Tortellini Soup
Cutting board: A flat board used for cutting and preparing ingredients.
Chef's knife: A versatile kitchen knife used for slicing, chopping, and dicing various ingredients.
Storing and Freezing Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup: A Guide
To store leftover Tuscan tortellini vegetable soup, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate the soup for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating refrigerated soup, you may need to add a little extra broth or water to thin it out, as the tortellini will continue to absorb liquid during storage.
For longer storage, you can freeze the soup for up to 2-3 months. However, it's best to freeze the soup without the tortellini, as they may become mushy when thawed and reheated.
To freeze the soup, cool it completely and transfer it to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags. Leave some space at the top for expansion during freezing.
Label the containers or bags with the date and contents for easy identification.
When you're ready to enjoy the frozen soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat the thawed soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it's heated through. At this point, you can cook the tortellini separately and add them to the soup just before serving for the best texture.
Adjust the seasoning as needed and add more broth or water if the soup appears too thick after reheating.
How To Reheat Leftover Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Stovetop method: transfer the leftover tuscan tortellini vegetable soup to a pot and reheat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. This method allows you to control the heat and ensure that the vegetables and tortellini are evenly heated without becoming overcooked or mushy.
Microwave method: place the desired portion of leftover soup in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a damp paper towel or a microwave-safe lid. Heat the soup in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until it reaches the desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat the soup, as this can cause the tortellini to become rubbery and the vegetables to lose their texture.
Slow cooker method: transfer the leftover soup to a slow cooker and heat it on the low setting for 1-2 hours, or until it reaches the desired temperature. This method is ideal if you want to reheat a large batch of soup without having to monitor it constantly. It also allows the flavors to meld together and develop further.
Oven method: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). transfer the leftover soup to an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. place the dish in the preheated oven and heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the soup reaches the desired temperature. This method is suitable if you want to reheat a large portion of soup and have extra time to spare.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to stir the soup well to ensure that it is evenly heated throughout. If the soup appears too thick after reheating, you can add a small amount of chicken broth or water to thin it out and restore its original consistency. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed before serving.
Interesting Fact About Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup
The Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup is a hearty and nutritious dish that combines the flavors of various vegetables and herbs. It is a versatile recipe that can be easily customized by adding different vegetables or adjusting the seasoning to suit individual preferences. This soup is a great way to incorporate a variety of vegetables into your diet and can be enjoyed as a wholesome meal on its own. Additionally, the addition of tortellini adds a delightful texture to the soup, making it a comforting and satisfying dish.
Is Making Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup at Home Cost-Effective?
This tuscan tortellini vegetable soup recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. With affordable ingredients like vegetables, broth, and tortellini, it offers a budget-friendly option for feeding a family of four. The use of seasonal vegetables and pantry staples keeps the cost low, making it a practical choice for home cooking. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 9 out of 10, considering its nutritional value, flavor, and ease of preparation. The approximate cost for a household of four people is around $15-$20, making it an economical and satisfying meal option.
Is This Tuscan Tortellini Soup Healthy or Unhealthy?
The Tuscan tortellini vegetable soup recipe is a nutritious and well-balanced dish that incorporates a variety of vegetables, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates. The use of olive oil provides healthy monounsaturated fats, while the abundance of vegetables such as carrots, onions, celery, green beans, zucchini, and spinach offers a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. The low-sodium chicken broth helps to keep the sodium content in check, and the tortellini provides a source of protein and carbohydrates. The addition of herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme not only enhances the flavor but also offers potential health benefits due to their antioxidant properties.
To further improve the nutritional value of this recipe, consider the following suggestions:
- Opt for whole wheat or spinach tortellini to increase the fiber content and nutritional value of the pasta
- Include additional protein sources, such as lean chicken or turkey, to make the soup more satiating and balanced
- Reduce the amount of cheese used as a topping to lower the overall fat and calorie content
- Experiment with adding other nutrient-dense vegetables, such as kale, bell peppers, or mushrooms, to boost the vitamin and mineral content of the soup
- Use a low-fat or vegetarian alternative to romano cheese, such as a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, to reduce the saturated fat content while maintaining a cheesy flavor
Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup
The Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The combination of fresh vegetables, savory herbs, and tender tortellini creates a comforting and satisfying dish. The use of low-sodium chicken broth allows the natural flavors to shine, while the addition of spinach adds a pop of color and nutrition. The soup is versatile, allowing for variations in the choice of vegetables and cheese. Overall, this recipe is a wonderful choice for a hearty and wholesome meal.
Enhance Your Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Tuscan Tortellini Vegetable Soup Recipe:
This Tuscan tortellini vegetable soup recipe is a trustworthy choice for any home cook. The combination of fresh vegetables and flavorful herbs creates a wholesome and satisfying dish. The use of 3-cheese tortellini adds a delightful richness, while the addition of spinach provides a boost of nutrients. The recipe's reliance on low sodium chicken broth ensures a balanced flavor profile. With its clear instructions and emphasis on quality ingredients, this recipe is a reliable option for anyone seeking a comforting and delicious soup experience.
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