La Cucina Viola

This is my go to soup recipe whenever I start feeling a cold coming along. It was discovered by my mom when I was a freshman in high school and we’ve been making it ever since. It’s so warm and comforting with a great flavor and hints of sharpness and spice from the parmesan and red pepper flakes. Next time you start feeling sniffly give this a try!

TikTok & Original Recipe:

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Ingredients

• 1 large yellow onion
• 6 links of italian turkey sausage
• 3-6 cloves minced fresh garlic (I like mine extra garlic-y)
• 2 Tbsp Italian seasonings
• 1 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes (add more or less depending on your spice tolerance)
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cans of tomatoes (24 oz each)
• 2 boxes of full sodium chicken broth (32 oz each)
• 20-24 oz fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
• 10 oz fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup chopped basil
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Dice the onion (I prefer mine to dice mine chunkier).
2. Mince the garlic.
3. Remove the sausage links from their casing.
4. In a large pot over low-medium heat add the olive oil and onions.
5. Add the sausage meat and seasonings, then mix.
6. Once the onions are slightly translucent add in the garlic.
7. When the meat is cooked and free of any pink, add the tomatoes and chicken broth.
8. Bring the soup to a rolling boil and add in the tortellini.
9. The tortellini should float to the top when they are fully cooked.
10. After the tortellini have been fully cooked, add the spinach.
11. Put the burner on low and allow the spinach to wilt.
12. When the spinach has wilted, add the basil.
13. Remove from heat and put the lid on the pot.
14. Allow to sit for 15 minutes without heat.
15. Add salt & pepper if needed.
16. Serve.
17. Top with parmesan and more red pepper flakes.