Tortellini Beef Soup (Printable)

Tender tortellini, savory ground beef, and cherry tomatoes in a rich, creamy broth. Comforting and ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 9 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 2 cups baby spinach (optional)

→ Pasta

06 - 10 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)

→ Broth & Dairy

07 - 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
08 - 1 cup heavy cream

→ Seasonings

09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
11 - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)

# How-To:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the cherry tomatoes, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the tomatoes start to soften.
04 - Pour in the beef broth and bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions (usually 4–6 minutes), until just tender.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and baby spinach (if using). Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until the soup is heated through and the spinach is wilted.
07 - Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you simmered it all afternoon.
  • The creaminess balances the acidity of the tomatoes in a way that feels indulgent without being heavy.
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day when the flavors have melded overnight.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the beef fat or the soup will have an oily slick on top that no amount of stirring will fix.
  • Add the cream off the boil or it can curdle and turn grainy, low heat is your friend once dairy enters the picture.
  • Cook the tortellini just until tender because they'll keep softening in the hot broth even after you turn off the heat.
03 -
  • Use refrigerated tortellini instead of dried, they cook faster and have a softer, more delicate texture that works better in soup.
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh right before serving, it melts into the hot broth and adds a creaminess that pre grated cheese just can't match.
  • If you're making this ahead, undercook the tortellini by a minute so they don't turn to mush when you reheat the soup later.
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