Spring Tortellini Soup (Printer-friendly)

Cheese tortellini with spring vegetables in aromatic broth, ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz fresh cheese tortellini

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 3.5 oz sugar snap peas, trimmed and halved
08 - 3.5 oz baby spinach

→ Broth & Seasonings

09 - 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
11 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)

→ Garnishes

13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
14 - Zest of 1 lemon
15 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
03 - Add carrots and zucchini; cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in the vegetable broth, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Add tortellini and sugar snap peas. Simmer according to tortellini package instructions (usually 3–5 minutes), until pasta is al dente and peas are bright green.
06 - Stir in spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1 minute.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its ready in 35 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The combination of lemon zest and Parmesan creates the most irresistible bright, savory finish
02 -
  • Resist the urge to overcook the tortellini, as it will continue cooking in the hot broth even after you turn off the heat
  • The lemon zest should be added at the very end because its delicate oils dissipate with prolonged heat
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables into similar sizes so they cook evenly and look beautiful in the bowl
  • If you are making this ahead, cook the tortellini separately and add it when reheating to prevent it from becoming too soft