Mmmm… Tortellini! I just love a recipe that uses tortellini, don’t you? This soup is hearty and delicious with chicken, tomatoes, spinach, and tortellini.
To Parmesan, or not to Parmesan
I have made this recipe twice now.
The first time I used grated Parmesan, vegetable broth and left out the chicken.
The second time I used shaved Parmesan cheese, Rotisserie chicken and chicken broth.
I thought the added chicken and shaved Parmesan tasted better, but I realize that most people already have grated Parmesan in their kitchen. I included measurements for both kinds of Parmesan, in an effort to simplify. You could also leave the Parmesan cheese out all together and this soup would still taste great. In fact, the Parmesan cheese is what bumps this recipe up to 7 SP per serving, so if you leave it off one (1-1/3 cup) serving is just 6 smart points.
There are a few other things you could do to change up this recipe.
Variations of this recipe:
Bulk up this soup more by adding some extra spinach, or consider adding other vegetables, like zucchini, mushrooms, onions, or carrots. If including other vegetables add them to the pot when you are cooking the garlic (the first step) and allow to cook for 3-5 minutes.
To make this a vegetarian recipe you can simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. I have also eaten it this way and it was still delicious.
Here is what you need:
1 Tbsp. olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup cooked chopped or shredded chicken (I just used Rotisserie chicken)
4 cups fat-free chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
9 oz. frozen or refrigerated cheese tortellini
4 cups fresh spinach
1/8 tsp. Pepper
6 tsp. grated Parmesan cheese or 6 Tbsp. shaved Parmesan cheese
Here is what you do:
In a large stockpot, heat oil. Add garlic and cook about 1 minute.
Add chicken and cook for and additional 1-2 minutes. (or until chicken is cooked if you are using uncooked chicken)
Add broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
Add tortellini and cook 3-4 minutes or until the tortellini begins to fluff up and soften.
Stir in spinach and pepper. Cook until spinach is wilted.
Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon shaved Parmesan cheese or 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Makes 6 (1-1/3 cup) servings. One serving is 4 Green, 4 Blue, and 4 Purple Points.
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup cooked chopped or shredded chicken (I just used Rotisserie chicken)
- 4 cups fat-free chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
- 9 oz. frozen or refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1/8 tsp. Pepper
- 6 tsp. grated Parmesan cheese or 6 Tbsp. shaved Parmesan cheese
- In a large stockpot, heat oil. Add garlic and cook about 1 minute.
- Add chicken and cook for and additional 1-2 minutes. (or until chicken is cooked if you are using uncooked chicken)
- Add broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
- Add tortellini and cook 3-4 minutes or until the tortellini begins to fluff up and soften.
- Stir in spinach and pepper. Cook until spinach is wilted.
- Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon shaved Parmesan cheese or 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
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lynnwh2008 says
I have made this delicious soup three weeks in a row and have shared the recipe with so many friends and family, WW members or not. EVERYONE loves this, the simplicity, how filling a serving is, how the spinach just slips in there and the flavor is simply amazing. I had one WW friend say how afraid she has been of pasta, let alone tortellini, and she was sooo grateful for this recipe. This hearty soup just makes me so happy.
Alisha Hughes says
This is probably like one of my most favorite comments ever in the history of comments. 🙂 I love your enthusiasm. Thanks for sharing our recipe and I am so glad you and your friends love it!!
Laurie aguayo says
Thank you Alisha Hughes for providing the menu, meal plans and grocery list!!!!! This makes things so much easier for this wife and momma of 3. We tried the hearty tortellini soup first and it was an absolute hit. Main critic( my husband) loved it. I am very excited to try many more weekly menus and shop easily!!!!!! Because of your hard work. Again thank you!!!