Recipe || Smoked Sausage and Tortellini Soup

A couple of weeks ago I was at my parents for dinner. It was one of those nights when you clear out the fridge and enjoy a total hodge-podge of pairings that don't make sense but taste so good together. One of the things I had was a bowl of smoked sausage and tortellini soup my mom made earlier in the week. Talk about delicious! It was something she had never made before, at least not when I was around so I made sure to get the recipe. And since I loved it so much I thought I'd share the recipe! I'll warn you, this makes a pot full so invite over a few friends [or enjoy left overs!].  

This is the recipe I got from my mom but I used what I had on hand [listed below], which happened to all be from Trader Joe's but you can use whatever!

Smoked Sausage and Tortellini Soup 

serves 6

1 package (4 links) smoked andouille chicken sausage

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

5 cloves garlic or I used 5 cubes of Dorot crushed garlic

1 32oz box of low sodium chicken broth

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes in juice

1 10oz package spinach tortellini

1 10oz package cheese tortellini

6 oz fresh baby spinach leaves

parmesean cheese, for serving optional required

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a Dutch oven and saute smoked sausage until browned. Remove from pan and carefully slice into small pieces; set aside.

Heat remaining oil [3 tablespoons] in Dutch oven, add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in chicken broth, bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 2 more minutes then add both packages of tortellini. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Add in can of tomatoes [juice and all!] and spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Return sauteed sausage to the soup, heat through.

Serve, top with parmesean and enjoy!