2poundsItalian sausagepreferably a blend of sweet and hot
¼cuptomato paste
½cupoil-packed sun-dried tomatoesfinely chopped
4cupschicken broth
1cupheavy cream
8ouncescream cheesesoftened and cut into cubes
1½teaspoonsItalian seasoning
¼teaspoonred pepper flakes
½teaspoonkosher salt
16ouncesrefrigerated cheese tortellini
2cupsfresh baby spinach
½cupfreshly grated Parmesan cheese
For serving:
Grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh spinach cut into ribbons
Red pepper flakes
Instructions
Place a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add butter and diced onion. Cook for 5 minutes until onion becomes soft and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Add sausage, breaking it into small bite-sized pieces. Cook until deeply browned and no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes.
Slowly pour in chicken broth, scraping bottom of the Dutch oven to release the browned bits. Add heavy cream and softened cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese melts into the broth.
Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt. Bring soup to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and add the tortellini. Cook for 5 minutes. Stir in spinach and grated Parmesan. Cook for 2 minutes, just until the spinach wilts in soup.
Remove from heat and let rest for about 5 minutes.
Ladle into warm bowls and finish with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan, a few ribbons of fresh spinach, and a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes. Makes 8 to 10 servings.