Creamy Tortellini, Sausage and Spinach Soup

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package fresh tortellini (of choice)
• 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 8 ounces Italian sausage, chopped into bite sized pieces
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 3 packed and heaping cups baby spinach
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a small handful of salt to the water, followed by the tortellini. Boil tortellini until al dente, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain tortellini and set aside.

2. 2

   Place same pot back onto stovetop, over medium heat, and melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add sausage and brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove sausage from pot and wipe clean.

3. 3

   Place pot back over medium heat and melt remaining butter. Add flour and whisk together until well combined.

4. 4

   Whisk stock and tomato sauce into flour mixture and continue to whisk together until no lumps remain. Season with salt and pepper.

5. 5

   Stir sausage and spinach into soup and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes.

6. 6

   Add tortellini into soup and stir together. Simmer soup for 5 minutes, adjust seasonings. Serve.