Tortellini Soup (for the Soul and NYC Winter Survival)

So, (unfortunately) we are back in NYC. And freezing. AGAIN. And I hear they are calling MORE SNOW TOMORROW? Go F yourself, Phil.

I guess it’s time to break out the hot food again. And sweaters. Just when I was getting used to flip-flops again – just EVIL! Anyways, I haven’t posted any of my Stephanie-style recipes lately, so I thought it was the perfect time to share my Tortellini Soup with you all. It’s like THE BEST THING EVER. Plus, totally easy to make, REALLY HEALTHY, and of course, warms you up. I think I am going to make a huge pot tonight!

Tortellini Soup (for the Soul and NYC Winter Survival)

Ingredients:

(Feel free to get a little creative. Usually my recipes revolve around throwing in anything left in the fridge!)

– fresh or frozen cheese tortellini (or any other variety you might want to try!)

– optional: 3-4 chicken sausage. (these are Maximo’s favorite so I use them, but you can also leave out for a vegetarian dish or swap with a different meat. I feel like sausage holds up well in a soup!)

– two handfuls fresh spinach

– one carrot, shredded

– 1/2 yellow onion, chopped

– two cloves garlic, chopped

– fresh mushrooms

– 1 cup whole milk

– 1 box of organic chicken broth

– 2 cups water

– parmesan cheese, grated

– butter

– salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Add the milk, water and organic chicken broth to a large pot and set to boil.

2.  Place some olive oil, onions and garlic in a sautee pan. Cook them over medium-high heat for about 10-15 minutes. Set aside. Start to cook the chicken sausage.

3. Once the broth comes to a boil, add the tortellini, and turn to medium-high heat. Let the tortellini cook for about 10 minutes.

4. Add the fresh spinach, carrots, mushrooms (and any other veggie) to the broth and tortellini. Add the onions and garlic. I think I threw in a 1/2 cup of frozen corn as well!

5. Chop up the sausage into bite-size pieces and add to the soup as well. Stir and let it simmer on low for 15-20 minutes. You can add some grated parmesan (depending on how much cheese you like) as well here if you’d like as long as you continue to stir it.

6. Scoop out into bowls and viola! Super simple. I usually add some grated cheese on top here as well.

The more veggies the better, and the kids don’t even notice them! Seriously, Maximo just slurps up the wilted spinach like spaghetti. Amazing.

If you try it, let me know if you changed it up and how it turned out!