Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese Tortellini is ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy nights!
Now that the sun is going down before the 5:00 news even comes on (thanks for nothing, daylight savings time!) I’m on the hunt for especially quick and easy recipes. I don’t know…when it’s cold and dark out, all I want to do is curl up on the couch in the evenings, not spend a lot of time in the kitchen. That’s why I’m really excited about this recipe for 15 minute Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese Tortellini.
Savory, short-cut tomato broth is brightened with lots of fresh basil, and chewy, cheese tortellini. So ridiculously easy and even more delicious. Best of all, it cooks in under 15 minutes.
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time then you know I hate traditional tomato soup. You know, the canned and condensed kind? Won’t touch it with a 10 foot pole. This soup, though? I am all over it. You’ve got to give it a try!
Start by sauteing 1 large shallot and 3 garlic cloves in 2 Tablespoons butter until tender. Don’t skip the butter as it gives the soup an amazing richness. You could also use a small onion in place of the shallot. I tend to use shallots because they’re milder than onions which hurt Ben’s stomach!
Next add 48oz chicken broth…
And 24oz REALLY GOOD marinara sauce. This is the secret ingredient to get amazing flavor in just 15 minutes! Marinara sauce already has all the veggies and spices slow cooked with tomatoes, which makes each spoonful taste like it was slow cooked all day.
Now, I would not recommend using Prego or Ragu in here, rather, try and find a really high-quality jar of marinara sauce. Locals – I have to give it up to Ginos!
Add 3/4 cup fresh basil that’s been chopped (about a 3/4oz clamshell) then bring the soup to a boil.
Finally, carefully drop in 16oz fresh or frozen cheese tortellini or mini ravioli then place a lid on top, turn the soup down to medium, and then simmer until the tortellini are tender.
While that’s happening, bake up some crostini for dipping. Crostini are mah FAVE for dunking into brothy soups. Their crispy texture is also welcome when you’ve got a softer soup. Click here for crostini cooking instructions >
One the tortellini are tender, scoop and serve!
10 Healthy Salad RecipesTomato Basil Soup with Cheese Tortellini
Description
Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese Tortellini is ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy nights!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 large shallot or 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- salt and pepper
- 48oz chicken broth
- 24oz high quality marinara sauce
- 3/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (3/4oz package basil)
- 16oz fresh or frozen cheese tortellini (could also use mini ravioli)
Directions
- Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add shallots (or onions) then season with salt and pepper and saute until tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic then saute for 30 more seconds. Add chicken broth, marinara sauce, and fresh basil then turn heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Carefully add tortellini to boiling soup then place a lid on top, turn heat down to medium, and then cook until tender. Serve with crostini.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I’m telling you – crostini are crucial for sopping up all that yummy, savory broth. Plus they take just 5-7 minutes to bake. Perfect!
Enjoy!
I always wanted to go to the Mall of America! I am definitely going to make this soup. My son and I love a good tomato soup.
This looks great! I LOVE tortellini so am always looking for new ways to serve it. Will definitely try this! Pinning!
Love your new necklace. I’ve been looking for something like that. Was it at a regular Nordstrom store? I couldn’t find it online.
It was, but I got it last year! :/
I’m now scouring the Nordstrom website for a similar necklace. Do you remember the brand?
I am a big fan of tortellini. Have you ever made your own tortellini? If so do you have a recipe? I would really love to learn to make tortellini.
Yum! I also very much dislike ‘regular’ tomato soup.. but this looks delicious.
I have passed fresh totellini in my local Aldi like 15x now, longing to snag it and put it in SOMETHING. Thanks for the excuse :D
Also has uncooked tortellini too. It is delicious and only $1.29!
Lincoln is so adorable in that photo! This recipe looks yum! Love tortellini. I hate daylight savings but it is helping my workout which was seriously suffering when it was pitch black at 6am!
Is she that tall or are you THAT short? :)
HAHAHA both! She’s 5’11 and I’m 5’2!
you are brave to be in the mall for that long lady! i can barely deal with an hour haha. but you were so smart to go before the holiday madness starts!
I’m one of the weird ones who actually likes the canned version – I had it growing up so I guess it’s comfort food for me! I’d be interested to try this version, and the tortellini addition sounds to die for!
I would love to go to Mall of America. You truly shop till ya drop! And that soup is just gorgeous. I love how easy and delicious soup can be. It is the perfect meal this time of year.
I know readers were looking for my vegetarian recipes, so why not replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth? Easy, tasty, AND vegetarian seems just about perfect to me.
Every short girl needs a tall BFF :)
i absolutely loooove this! thanks for sharing…can’t wait to try it with my boyfriend :)
Ugh – oreo madness! YUM!!!
I have been craving tortellini soup! Quick q: if I use frozen tortellini, do I need to thaw it first?
Nope! :)
This recipe could not have come at a more perfect time! I went out to eat at Centro last night after seeing it recommended on your blog and they had this same soup! I ended up ordering something else but really wanted to try the tomato basil tortellini soup so I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Also, you would never know from the pic of you, your mom and your friend that you had a baby a few months ago. You look great!
This looks really yummy!! Also, (this part of my comment has nothing to do with this post, but) we just got a Trader Joe’s!!! I will most certainly be searching your site for must-haves from the store. Yay!
I love Lincoln’s little hat. Cuttest little guy ever. The soup looks amazing and something I will incorporate into my weeknight menu.
My mouth just literally watered looking at those photos.
I’ve actually never thought to use marinara sauce in tomato soup – genius! Can’t wait to make this. :D
I am definitely giving this a try.. My husband and I love your recipes.. he’s always asking me to make Lazy Girl Lasagna again! I think he will really dig this, too!
Just made this tonight. Excellent! I don’t care for tomato soup either so if I liked it… anyone will!
I wonder, could you use gnocchi in place of the tortellini?
Kristin – I am totally with you on loathing plain old tomato soup but loving a tomato basil soup like this! I have a similar recipe that I honed over many months in an attempt to recreate the fantastic tomato basil soup at Centro. I’ve found that red onion is always better than using white or yellow onion, so I’ll have to try a shallot, and I’m intrigued to try the butter, as I’ve always sauteed the garlic and onion in olive oil. Also, after trying an assortment of tomato concoctions, if I can’t use a nice puree of garden or farmers market tomatoes, my go to alternative is Dei Fratelli tomato puree – it is seriously good. I also love adding some parmigiano reggiano to this soup at the end. Another addition I’ve sometimes done is to saute some carrots and celery with the onions and garlic and then given them a whiz them in a food processor before adding them back to the pot. It’s an easy way to get some more veggies into the meal, thicken the soup without making it chunky, and it adds great flavor.
Finally, my mom and I do similar excursions to Minneapolis to shop and dine, and I can’t recommend enough the Good Earth cafe at the Edina Galleria. Go for breakfast, lunch or dinner and you will LOVE it. Super healthy and so, so good.
I love that you’ve amped up tomato soup. It looks so good!
This soup looks so delicious, and definitely comforting on a cold winter day. I can’t wait to give this a try!
I just love that you and your mom have your tradition of going to the MOA-Mall of America! It’s fun to hear about it and I don’t go there often…..even though it’s 20 min’s away:)
I am a shopper….but the parking when it’s busy, drives me nuts……..IKEA however, is always worth it, regardless of the crowds:) Glad it was a fun wknd!
what a great post. this soup looks super delicious and hearty for the coming winter and in addition to that, it is quite easy to make! will definitely be trying this out soon!
love from berlin . net
xx rae
I don’t function after dark. I love dinners like this.
I made this soup last night for dinner and it was fantastic! Looking forward to lunch leftovers today. Perfect for these rainy, overcast days.
Thank you for so many delicious recipes! I can’t wait to make this one!! One of my regular week night comfort foods is tomato soup and grilled cheese, this will kick it up a notch :) I so enjoy your blog. Keep up the great work!
This looks so incredibly cozy! And with that crisp crostini – yes!
How can I print off your tomato basil soup recipe?
Thanks for your help. I was an Iowa girl from 1940 – 1961 when I moved away with my new husband. Now I live in Bellevue, WA., 11 miles from Seattle. The midwest is a GREST PLACE TO BE FROM. . .
i DON’T MISS THE HIGH HUMIDITY
I was an Iowa girl from 1940 – June 1961 when I moved away with my new husband. Since 1966 I’ve lived in Bellevue, WA. 11 miles from Seattle. The mid-west is a GREAT place to be FROM ! ! I don’t miss the high humidity IN SUMMER & COLD WINTER TEMPERATURES.
Elaine Kirk
Wow. Does that look delicious! I’m a sucker for tomato soup. Can’t wait to try.
I live alone now and have been looking for good recipes that i could make for myself (and freeze)- this looks perfectttt! and very easy. thanks
I have family in Minneapolis and I lived there for a short time. I would always go to the MoA – how I miss it!
I’m loving that tortellini. I’ve actually got homemade minestrone heating in the slow cooker :)
I’m so stealing your blurry background title bar idea. That’s some yummy graphic design.
Angry Orchard is my faaaaaaaaaavorite beverage right now! :)
I made the soup last night! I added mushrooms and spinach and it was so good (but your recipes always are)!
I made this soup last night and it was so delicious!! I grated some fresh parmigiano reggiano and threw the rind in with the soup and let it cook for a few minutes. YUM!!
[…] 15 Minute Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese Tortellini via Iowa Girl […]
I made the 15 Minute Tomato Basil Soup tonight and it was FANTASTIC!!!! WOW!!!! Thanks for sharing!
[…] 15 Minute Tomato Basil Soup via Iowa Girl Eats. Quick and delicious — a must make on those days where you need a bowl of comfort stat. […]
Just made this for dinner – it was DELICIOUS! Definitely something I’ll be making again. Thanks for the great recipe!
You know what you might try next time you make this? A tablespoon of balsamic stirred in. I make a version of this out of an old Richard Simmons cookbook (I KNOW), and it calls for that tablespoon of balsamic at the very end, right before serving (yes, just 1 T for the whole pot). It really punches it up!
I made this for a late dinner tonight, and was so impressed! Best of all, it makes a nice big pot, perfect for a single grad student heading into the end of the semester. Thank you!
[…] 15-minute Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese Tortellini […]
I made this soup last week and I LOVED IT!!! Love reading about your Italian journeys too, my husband and I are planning a trip and I’ve learned a lot of tips! Thank you!