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Hey, busy parents and food lovers alike! We’re thrilled to share a game-changing recipe that will revolutionize your dinner routine: Tuscan Tortellini Soup. This freezer meal is a true kitchen superhero, combining the cozy comfort of Tuscan cuisine with the convenience of make-ahead cooking.
Picture yourself savoring a steaming bowl of creamy tortellini soup, filled with savory herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and plump cheese-stuffed pasta. The best part? You can prepare this soul-soothing soup in advance and store it in your freezer, ready to rescue you on those chaotic evenings.
Life can get pretty hectic, and finding the time and energy to prepare a nutritious and delicious dinner every night can be a daunting task. That’s where our Tuscan Tortellini Soup comes to the rescue. This recipe is not only a time-saver but also a flavor-packed masterpiece that your whole family will adore.
Imagine the convenience of having a freezer stocked with homemade Tuscan Tortellini Soup. Whether it’s a busy weeknight, unexpected guests, or a chilly evening when you crave a comforting meal, this freezer-friendly recipe has got your back.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through crafting this Tuscan Tortellini Soup masterpiece, designed to make your life easier and your taste buds dance with joy. Say goodbye to dinner dilemmas and hello to delicious, stress-free meals!
Why you’ll Love this Quick and Delicious Tuscan Tortellini Soup
- Easy preparation
- You can (and should) make it in advance
- Freezer Convenience
- Delicious Comfort Food
- Kid-friendly
- Nutritious balanced meal
Tuscan Tortellini Soup Freezer Meal Recipe
Hannah Stewart
The cozy comfort of Tuscan cuisine with the convenience of make-ahead cooking. Picture yourself savoring a steaming bowl of creamy tortellini soup, filled with savory herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and plump cheese-stuffed pasta.
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 Adults
Equipment
1 Slow Cooker or Crockpot
1 gallon freezer bag
Ingredients
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 14.5 oz diced tomato can
- 4 cups chicken broth or broth of preference
- 4 cups Water
- 20 oz cheese tortellini
- 10 oz spinach frozen
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
Freezer Prep Directions:
Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Add ingredients, except water, broth, spinach, and tortellini, to a freezer bag.
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.(Keep Tortellini in original packaging and stick in freezer).
Slow Cooker Directions:
Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
Add freezer bag contents into slow cooker, plus 4 cups broth and 4 cups water.
Cook on low for 2-3 hours, add spinach and tortellini during the last 1 hour of cooking time.
Stir, serve and enjoy! Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese.
Instant Pot Directions
- Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, add 4 cups broth and 4 cups water.
- Set to High Pressure for 5 minutes, followed by a quick release.
- Stir in tortellini and spinach, closing the lid again and set the valve to seal.
- Set to High pressure for 2 minutes, followed by a quick release.
- Stir, serve and enjoy! Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese.
Dietary Adjustments
Make it Gluten-Free:
- Use gluten-free tortellini and gluten-free broth.
Make it Dairy-Free:
- Use dairy-free tortellini.
Freezer Labels
Tuscan Tortellini Soup Freezer Meal Printable Label
Keyword crockpot dinners, Easy Dinner, freezer meals, Soups
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Equipment Needed to Make Italian Inspired Tuscan Tortellini Soup
- 1 Slow Cooker or Crockpot
- 1 gallon freezer bag
Ingredients for your Tuscan Tortellini Soup
- 1lbSweet Italian sausage
- 2tspOnion powder
- 1tbspGarlic powder
- 114.5 ozcan Diced tomatoundrained
- 4cupsChicken brothor your own preference
- 4cupsWater
- 20ozCheese tortellini
- 10ozSpinachfrozen
- 1tspDried basil
- 1/2tspPepper
- 1/2tspSalt
- 1tspItalian seasoning
- 1Bay leaf
How to make a Tuscan Tortellini Soup
Prep/freezer directions:
- Label freezer bag with recipe name, cooking from frozen directions, and expiration date ( Today’s date plus three months)
- Add ingredients, except water, broth, spinach, and tortellini. ( Keep tortellini in original packaging and freeze)
- Store in freezer for up to three months
Cooking directions:
- Thaw overnight in fridge or in the morning in water (meal may not be 100% thawed but that is ok).
- Add freezer bag contents into slow cooker, plus 4 cups broth and 4 cups water.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, add spinach and tortellini during the last 1 hour of cooking time.
- Stir and serve! Garnish with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese if desired.
What to serve/pair with your Make-Ahead Tuscan Tortellini Soup?
Sides:
- Garlic Bread
- Caprese Salad
- Sauteed Spinach
Desserts:
- Tiramisu
- Panna Cotta
- Lemon Sorbet
Mocktails:
- Cucumber Basil Smash
- Sparkling Lavender Lemonade
- Pineapple Coconut Cooler
Popular Substitutions and Additions
Substitutions:
- Sausage Variations: You can substitute the sweet Italian sausage with other options like spicy Italian sausage for a kick of heat or turkey Italian sausage for a leaner option.
- Spinach Alternative: Instead of spinach, you can use other leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Broth Choice: While chicken broth is a common choice, you can switch to vegetable broth for a vegetarian version or beef broth for a heartier taste.
Additions:
- Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of each serving for a delightful cheesy finish that complements the tortellini.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add a handful of chopped sun-dried tomatoes for an extra layer of flavor and a slightly sweet and tangy twist.
- Red Pepper Flakes: If you enjoy a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick to your soup.
These substitutions and additions allow you to customize your Tuscan Tortellini Soup to suit your preferences and create exciting variations of this delicious dish.
How to Reheat and store Tuscan Tortellini Soup after cooking?
Best way to store Savory flavored Tuscan Tortellini Soup leftovers?
To store Tuscan Tortellini Soup leftovers and retain their flavor and texture, follow these simple steps. First, allow the soup to cool down to room temperature after cooking, but be sure to avoid leaving it out for more than two hours to prevent any potential bacterial growth.
Next, transfer the cooled soup into airtight containers. It’s a good idea to portion it into smaller servings for easier reheating later. To maintain freshness and prevent freezer burn, make sure to remove as much air as possible from the containers before sealing them.
Additionally, always label each container with the date of preparation, helping you keep track of freshness and ensuring you use it within a reasonable timeframe.
How long will Tuscan Tortellini Soup leftovers last in the fridge?
With proper cooling, and using the correct containers for storage, you should be able to maintain quality freshness in your Tuscan soup leftovers for 4-5 days!
Can I freeze Homemade Tuscan Tortellini Soup after cooking?
Absolutely, it’s possible, and here’s the correct method to ensure they remain just as delicious. Start by allowing your soup to cool completely in the refrigerator after cooking. Once it’s cooled down, divide the leftovers into portion-sized servings that you plan to reheat later. This makes it easier to thaw and reheat only what you need.
You can either place each portion in individual freezer bags or use airtight containers. Carefully ladle the cooled Tuscan Tortellini Soup into your chosen containers, leaving some space at the top to accommodate expansion as it freezes. If you opt for freezer bags, ensure you remove excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Don’t forget to label each bag with the date and a brief description for easy identification. Now, simply place those labeled bags or containers in the freezer. Your Tuscan Tortellini Soup leftovers will maintain their quality and texture for a generous 2-3 months in the freezer.
If you are considering making this soup into a raw freezer meal, simply add ingredients into a labeled gallon freezer bag. Do not add the water, broth, spinach, and tortellini into the bag, save these for day of cooking. Feel freeze to keep the tortellini it its original package and freeze. Remove as much air as possible from the bag, seal, and freeze for up to three months.
How to reheat Easy Tuscan Tortellini Soup Recipe?
Reheating your Tuscan Tortellini Soup freezer meal is a simple process. If your meal was stored in the freezer, begin by allowing it to thaw completely. You can select from three effective thawing methods: overnight in the fridge, submerging the freezer bag in cold water, or using the microwave’s defrost setting for a gradual thaw. After your meal has thawed thoroughly, you can proceed to reheat it using any of these approaches:
- Stovetop Reheating: Warm a saucepan over medium-low heat, add the thawed Tuscan Tortellini Soup, and stir occasionally until it’s heated through.
- Microwave Reheating: For those pressed for time, the microwave is a convenient option. Place the thawed Tuscan Tortellini Soup on a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring between each interval.
Always ensure that the Tuscan Tortellini Soup is fully reheated by using a food thermometer to confirm an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. These reheating methods make enjoying your Tuscan Tortellini Soup meal quick and hassle-free.
Delicious and Hearty Tuscan Tortellini Soup FAQs
What is Tortellini Soup made of?
Tortellini soup is typically made with cheese or meat-filled tortellini pasta, broth, various vegetables like onions, garlic, and spinach, herbs and seasonings such as basil, oregano, and black pepper, and sometimes added ingredients like diced tomatoes or heavy cream to enhance flavor and texture.
It is a comforting and hearty soup that combines the delightful taste of a tortellini with the richness of a flavor packed broth..
What do you serve with a Tortellini Soup?
Tortellini soup pairs well with a variety of side dishes, you can serve soups with garden salads, garlic breads, or a crusty baguette for a complete and satisfying meal.
The crispness of the salad or the warmth of the bread complements the soup’s flavors very nicely and adds to the fullness of your meal.
Where did Tortellini soup come from?
Tuscan Tortellini soup, as the name suggests, is inspired by the cuisine of Tuscany, a region in central Italy. This region is known for its rich culinary traditions.
While it may not be an authentic Tuscan dish, it incorporates elements and flavors commonly found in Tuscan cooking, such as the use of fresh vegetables, herbs, and pasta.
What does Tuscan Tortellini mean?
Tuscan Tortellini soup likely originated from adaptations of traditional Italian recipes that made their way to the United States. It combines the Italian love for pasta with American preferences for healthy and comforting soups, resulting in a delightful fusion of flavors.
What is a fun fact about Tuscan Tortellini?
A fun fact about Tuscan Tortellini Soup is that it marries the Old World charm of Italian Tortellini with the rustic and hearty appeal of Tuscan-inspired ingredients, creating a delightful blend of flavors that can transport your taste bud to the Italian countryside.
What are good skills needed to make a good soup?
Making a good soup, including Tuscan Tortellini soup, requires skills like knife proficiency for chopping vegetables, an understanding of flavor combinations, the ability to balance different seasonings, and patience to let the soup simmer and develop its full flavor.
Additionally, knowing when to add ingredients like pasta or delicate herbs is essential for a successful soup.
Does Tortellini soup freeze well?
Tortellini soup generally freezes well. However, it’s important to follow proper freezing techniques, such as allowing the soup to cool completely before placing it in containers. This helps maintain the soup’s flavor and texture.
Also, you may want to consider adding some broth or water when reheating, as pasta can absorb liquid during freezing.
How long will a Tortellini soup Last?
A well-frozen and properly stored Tortellini soup can last in the freezer for up to 2-3 months without significant loss of quality. It’s essential to label the containers with the date of preparation to keep track of freshness.
Other soup recipes you’ll love
- The Best Chili you Ever Had!
- Ham and Potato Soup
- White Bean Spinach Soup
- Baked Bean Chili
- Italian Wedding Soup
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