Creamy Tortellini Soup with Ground Meat and Spinach

 Creamy Tortellini Soup with Ground Meat and Spinach

Ingredients:

– **1 lb (450g) ground Italian sausage or ground beef**
– **1 tbsp olive oil**
– **1 medium onion, diced**
– **2 cloves garlic, minced**
– **6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken or vegetable broth**
– **1 can (14.5 oz/400g) diced tomatoes**
– **1 cup (240ml) heavy cream**
– **1 package (9 oz/250g) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)**
– **2 cups (60g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped**
– **1 tsp dried basil**
– **1 tsp dried oregano**
– **Salt and pepper to taste**
– **Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)**

 Instructions:

1. **Cook the Meat:**
– In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
– Add the ground Italian sausage or ground beef and cook until browned. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

2. **Sauté the Aromatics:**
– Add the diced onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
– Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

3. **Build the Soup Base:**
– Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and the can of diced tomatoes (with their juices).
– Add the dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
– Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

4. **Add the Tortellini:**
– Stir in the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions until they are tender (usually about 7-9 minutes for fresh, longer for frozen).

5. **Finish the Soup:**
– Stir in the heavy cream and fresh spinach. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the soup is heated through.
– Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

6. **Serve:**
– Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
– Serve with crusty bread on the side for a complete meal.

Enjoy your delicious, homemade creamy tortellini soup!