Ingredients

1 pound ground Italian sausage, hot or mild
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon oregano
1 pinch cayenne, optional
1 teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 cup heavy cream
5 cups chicken broth
2 cups kale
2 cups refrigerated tortellini, just under 10 oz.
Salt/ to taste
1 pinch red pepper flakes

Instructions

Note: The mustard powder and hot sauce are so subtle in this soup but help enhance the other flavors, so although you may be hesitant to add them, I highly recommend it!
Remove the casings from the sausage if you purchased links. Cook and crumble the sausage and diced onions over medium-high heat until the onions are softened and the sausage is cooked through, 8-10 minutes. Drain grease. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
Add 1 tsp dried basil, ½ tsp oregano, 1 pinch of cayenne, 1 tsp hot sauce, ½ tsp mustard powder, ¼ tsp pepper. Stir to combine.
Add the chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to “clean” the bottom of the pot. Add the cream. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer.
Add the kale and tortellini and simmer for 3-5 minutes. (If your tortellini needs longer cooking time, add the tortellini first, then the kale during the last 5 minutes.)
Taste the soup and add salt if desired. Start with ¼ tsp and add more after that if needed.
Transfer to serving bowls and top with a pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve with Garlic Bread with Cheese.
Notes
I use RANA refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini for this recipe. I also use Texas Pete hot sauce for this recipe, but any variety is fine!
Pro Tip: For even more flavor, add the rind from a block of Parmesan or Romano cheese when you add the broth and let it simmer and flavor the soup. If any remains at the end of cooking, it can be discarded. Salt will likely not need to be added if you do this.
2-3 cups of Spinach can be used instead of kale, stir it in once the tortellini is cooked and let it wilt, about 30 seconds.
Storage
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Note that the tortellini will continue to absorb broth during storage. You may choose to boil tortellini separately and add them directly to serving bowls.
This soup does freeze well but I recommend boiling tortellini separately so that it doesn't absorb too much broth or get overly soft.

Soup