After trying this soup your family will start calling it THE soup because it will knock their socks off! Tortellini Soup in the Instant Pot or Crockpot has loads of flavor from sausage, cheese tortellini and parmesan. Try serving Instant Pot tortellini soup with cornbread and honey butter for a home run supper!
Note: both the SLOW COOKER and Instant Pot instructions are listed in the recipe card below
Instant Pot Sausage Tortellini Soup
I give this soup 5 stars! It was a hit with each member of my family. With lots of flavor and a bit of creaminess it hits the spot and is comforting on a chilly night. We served ours up with our favorite cornbread. Another option is making homemade Little Casesars Crazy Bread. Either way you’ll have happy taste buds.
What other people are saying about THE soup…
Sandy said, “It was wonderful and so flavorful! I made it just as you posted. Delicious!”
Cindi said, “I made this tonight and my picky family loved it. I used mild Italian sausage and my husband said he wished I’d used a little spicier sausage but he likes spicy and I don’t so adjust to your tastes. I thought mild Italian sausage was perfect. He did add red pepper flakes on his own bowl. I used tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes and half & half because that’s what I had. It’s definitely a make again recipe for us! I think next time I’ll add white cannellini beans to it. I served it with homemade bread from bread machine. Good meal for cold weather.”
Susie said, “Turned out absolutely delicious! So good that we ate the leftovers for breakfast the next day! This has been added to our favorites list!!”
Ingredients for Tortellini Soup
- Ground sausage–breakfast pork sausage or Italian sausage both work
- Onion–or 2 Tbsp of minced dried onion
- Celery
- Carrots
- Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon
- Diced tomatoes
- Crushed tomatoes
- Garlic powder–or granulated garlic or 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Italian seasoning–or make your own
- Frozen tortellini–I used store brand cheese tortellini
- Evaporated milk–or heavy cream or half and half
- Shredded parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh basil
Basic Steps for Making Instant Pot Creamy Tortellini Soup
- Use saute mode to brown the sausage and aromatics.
- Deglaze the pot and add ingredients .
- Pressure cook with a 5-10 minute natural pressure release.
- Add in the frozen tortellini.
- Temper the dairy to prevent it from separating.
- Stir in the dairy and parmesan cheese.
- Serve topped with fresh basil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of sausage should I use?
I used ground breakfast sausage (it might have been the Farmland brand or maybe Jimmy Dean). You can use any type of ground sausage that you like. If you want to bump up the flavor use a spicy sausage or Italian sausage. You can also use chicken sausage or chopped smoked turkey sausage.
What kind of broth do you use?
For making soups in the Instant Pot I like to use water and Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base*. I buy mine in the large jars from Costco. I used 4 cups of water and 4 tsp of the chicken base. You can also use canned or boxed chicken broths.
What kind of tortellini did you use?
Look for cheese tortellini in the frozen section of your grocery store. The frozen tortellini and ravioli are usually found next to the frozen breads/doughs. I haven’t tried this recipe with fresh tortellini but I’m sure you could with great results. The fresh tortellini might need to cook a little longer than frozen.
Can I used dried tortellini?
Personally I don’t like the taste of dried tortellini. However, you can try it if you’d like. Add in the dried tortellini before pressure cooking.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes. Instead of tortellini use gluten-free pasta. Cook the pasta according to package directions and strain. Scoop the amount of pasta you want into each serving bowl. That way the pasta won’t disintegrate in the soup.
What’s up with two types of tomatoes?
By using crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes you get the best of both worlds. The crushed tomatoes have a more pureed texture and the diced tomatoes give you a few chunks of tomatoes in your soup. Alternately, you can use 2 cans crushed or 2 cans of diced.
How are the leftovers?
The only issue with this soup is that the tortellini gets bloated and a bit mushy as leftovers. I will definitely still eat it! But it just won’t have the same texture as the first night.
Does this soup freeze well?
This isn’t the best soup to freeze because of the dairy separating and the pasta getting mushy. Some other choices of soup that might freeze well are Instant Pot Brunswick Stew or Instant Pot Loaded Frito Taco Soup,
Can I halve this recipe?
Yes you can. Just use one type of tomatoes (so you don’t have two cans that are half used). Cook for the same amount of time. Get more info on how to halve Instant Pot recipes successfully.
Can I double this recipe?
This soup will only double if you have a large 10 quart Instant Pot. You can 1.5 times the recipe in the 8 quart pot successfully. Find out more about successfully doubling Instant Pot recipes.
Can I use a lactose free dairy option?
I am not entirely sure on how it will affect the flavor profile but you can sure give it a shot. Let me know in the comments what you use and if it turns out well.
Can I add in more greens?
Sure! Try adding in chopped fresh baby spinach or kale when you stir in the tortellini.
More Instant Pot Soup Recipes You’ll Love…
Instant Pot Italian-Style Winter Soup
Italian sausage with rice and spinach in a delicious broth.
Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Everything you love about baked potatoes in soup form…cheese, bacon, sour cream, green onions and potatoes. Basically a cheesy potato soup recipe that you can make in your electric pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Soup
Creamy broth, chunks of Italian sausage, spinach, carrots and pasta combine to make a hearty soup perfect for a cold winter night.
Instant Pot Italian Tortellini Soup
Italian sausage is browned with onions and garlic and then beef broth, tortellini, tomatoes, green peppers and zucchini are simmered together to produce a soup with ultimate flavor.
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini Soup
A creamy tortellini soup with chicken, vegetables and parmesan cheese. If you love chicken alfredo you’ll love this soup!
Instant Pot Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
A family favorite soup with loads of flavor from sausage, cheese tortellini and parmesan. Serve up with fresh breadsticks or cornbread and honey butter.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sausage
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 (19 oz) package frozen tortellini
- 1 cup evaporated milk or heavy cream or half and half
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper (about 1/4 tsp each)
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Turn Instant Pot to the sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the ground sausage and break it up*. Add in the onion, celery and carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes. Drain any excess grease. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Add in broth, tomatoes, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the soup button (or manual/pressure cook button) to 5 minutes. When time is up let the pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Add in the frozen tortellini and turn the Instant Pot to sauté. The tortellini should cook through in just 2-3 minutes.
- Add a quarter cup of the hot liquid into the dairy and stir. Repeat. This will help temper the dairy to prevent separating.
- Once tortellini is cooked through remove the Instant Pot liner from the pot and set on the counter. Stir in the dairy and parmesan cheese. Then add salt and pepper to taste (this is important!).
- Ladle into bowls and top with chopped fresh basil.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the ground sausage and break it up*. Add in the onion, celery and carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes. Drain any excess grease. Add to the slow cooker.
- Add in broth, tomatoes, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Add in the tortellini and cover and cook for 15 minutes.
- Add a quarter cup of the hot liquid into the dairy and stir. Repeat. This will help temper the dairy to prevent separating. Add the dairy and parmesan cheese into the slow cooker.
- Add salt and pepper to taste (this is important!).
- Ladle into bowls and top with chopped fresh basil.
Notes
How I use paper towels to “drain the grease”–Tilt the Instant Pot to one side while holding the ground meat against the other side with a wooden spoon. This should make most of the grease pool on the tilted side. Lower the Instant Pot down, the meat should stay to its side and the grease on the other. Place a couple paper towels into the grease and use the spoon to sop up the grease. Discard the paper towels.
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. No changes for the 8 quart. Halve the recipe for the 3 quart pot.
- Category: Soup
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Made this tonight and it did not disappoint!. Had a lb. of ground beef I needed to use as well so in it went with the hot sausage. I put the evaporated milk in too early, pressure cooking it as well, but it came out great anyway. Absolutely delicious! November is here so it’s soup time! Thanks Karen, for another great recipe.
★★★★★
So glad it worked out even though the milk was added early!
someone else asked this but didn’t see answer. when do you add spinach??
I didn’t have spinach in mine…just basil but you can add spinach when you add in the dairy 🙂
This is a question about a different soup. I am looking for soup that has sausage, cottage cheese, tortellini and mozzarella cheese. I am afraid I deleted it by mistake. If you know which one I am talking about, please
Send it to me. I have all the products just waiting to make it.
Thank you,
I don’t know what soup that is. but maybe it’s this recipe? https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/instant-pot-lasagna-ravioli/
Hi! I love your recipes — it’s like you are cooking for me most of the time. But just a friendly suggestion: When I pin the recipes there is no photo with a recipe description on it. So when I skim through my pins to find a recipe I have to open it to find out what the recipe is about. I don’t always take the time to do that. It’s not just you — it happens a lot. I am always so happy when there is an image with a recipe description I can pin! Hint, hint LOL!
Hmmm, not sure I understand. Can you show me a link?
Personally, I do not grain what little grease there is. It just adds to the flavor. and maybe a little to the calories. As Art Ginsberg (Mr. Food) used to say: “Ooh! It’s so good!”
★★★★★
*drain*
That’s true! You definitely don’t have to drain if you don’t want
If you don’t have tortellini you can use bow-tie pasta…pre-cooked or not
★★★★★
Sure. I would add it in at the beginning uncooked and then pressure cook for just 2 minutes with a 5 minute natural pressure release.
hi😊
if I use fresh tortellini, how will the cooking time be?
One more thing I didn’t mention- I used fat free evaporated milk instead of cream or half and half.
I made this tonight. It was delicious. I added about 3 cups of fresh baby spinach to it. Used your suggestion of serving it with corn bread, perfect compliment to the soup. This rivals your chicken tortellini soup, which I love.
I totally think it is just as good! I am glad you agree with me!
When did you add the spinach?
I made this soup tonight. It was wonderful and so flavorful! I made it just as you posted. Delicious!
Thank you Sandy!
I made this tonight and my picky family loved it. I used mild Italian sausage and my husband said he wished I’d used a little spicier sausage but he likes spicy and I don’t so adjust to your tastes. I thought mild Italian sausage was perfect. He did add red pepper flakes on his own bowl. I used tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes and half & half because that’s what I had. It’s definitely a make again recipe for us! I think next time I’ll add white cannelloni beans to it. I served it with homemade bread from bread machine. Good meal for cold weather.
★★★★★
I really like the idea of adding the beans! Sounds so good!
This soup is amazing-i used a 28oz can of crushed tomatoes as that was what i had, also I didnt have cream etc so i used Coconut cream and it worked out ok. I think this base soup is an amazing tomato soup and I will try that next-leaving out the sausage/tortellini. Thanks!!
So glad you loved it Julie!
Made this tonight, on a rainy and cold Saturday evening. It was delicious! I liked the comment Bonnie said about fishing out the tortellinis and just adding them back in. There are only 2 of us also so I am going to use this tip! Thank you both! I added this to my soup collection! Stay Warm!
★★★★★
Thanks Linda!!! you too 😊
My family thought this soup was great! Unfortunately, we got a little distracted and served the soup immediately after the pressure release. I had a feeling I should recheck the recipe, but we were hungry and the table was ready. We added a can of sliced mushrooms, which was a nice addition. I look forward to making this tortellini soup again–with the tortellini–but it was yummy even without!
★★★★★
Glad it was still great!
Could you use ravioli instead?
yes that would work!
I made this recipe for dinner this past snowy Saturday. I didn’t have carrots or celery on hand but did use onions and added 3 cloves of minced garlic in place of the garlic powder. I left out the cream because the hubby was complaining about all of the rich creamy soups I’ve been making lately starting to show on his waistline. I tossed in a tsp or so of red pepper flakes which added flavor, not heat. Turned out absolutely delicious! So good that we ate the leftovers for breakfast the next day! This has been added to our favorites list!!
★★★★★
Yum! Sounds like a perfect version!
I made this last night and it was fantastic. I did use mild italian sausage, a blend of mozz/prov cheese instead of parm, and added a tbsp of red pepper flakes to liven it up a bit.
Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
A tbsp? Wow! Was that hot?
I made this for dinner last night. I used turkey sausage since I’m trying to eat healthy and since I only had about half the called for tortellini I threw in some ravioli I had on hand as well. My wife said it smelled strange, but we both really liked it. This will certainly go into my “make it again,” recipe book.
Glad you all ended up liking it!
Can’t wait to make this tonight! Can I substitute the sausage for ground turkey?
If you do I would add in a lot more seasonings since sausage adds so much flavor!
We love Tortellinis at our house. With only two of us, they get soggy for leftovers. I take the time after I’ve served us to “fish” out the Tortellinis and put them in a baggie. That way when I reheat it I just add them back, as many as I think we will eat. I’ve also been known to freeze the soup without the Tortellinis and then add more when I eat it later.
That’s a good tip Bonnie. Thank you.
Thank you for this tip! I will be doing this also!
★★★★★
Wow! I can’t wait to make this!!! It looks sooo yummy!
Thanks again for all your great recipes!
You’re welcome Susanna! We really loved it!
when. do you add spinach?