Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

Name: Instant Pot Tortellini Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 yellow onion (diced); 3 garlic cloves (minced); 1 pound Italian sausage (casing removed); 1 (15 ounce) can of diced tomatoes; 4 cups chicken broth; 10 ounces fresh or frozen cheese tortellini; 1 (5 ounce) package baby spinach; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 cup coconut milk or heavy cream

Published: Jan 9, 2023 · Updated: Jan 8, 2023 by Sarah Hill · This post may contain affiliate links.

This quick and flavorful Instant Pot Tortellini Soup, ready in just 25 minutes, combines cheesy tortellini with savory chicken sausage for a comforting, hearty dish. It's the perfect go-to soup for a chilly day!

Jump to Recipe

As the weather cools, this recipe will become a staple in your fall rotation. With its creamy texture and mild spice, it's a family-friendly meal that's both satisfying and easy to make. Best of all, it’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

Try my roasted tomato soup next and be sure to check out my Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup, Instant Pot Minestrone and Easy Stuffed Pepper Soup Instant Pot for more family-friendly Instant Pot recipes.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Made with simple ingredients. This is one of my favorite Instant Pot soup recipes because it is hearty and rich in flavor, yet made with simple, good-for-you ingredients.
Family-friendly. This sausage tortellini soup is a recipe the whole family loves.
Made in under 30 minutes. Pressure cooking is fast, make this recipe on busy weeknights.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Sausage. Italian sausage with the casing removed is my favorite in this hearty meal. Depending on your spice preference, you could opt for a mild Italian sausage or a sweet Italian sausage. Or if you and your family like a spicy kick, try a spicy Italian sausage. You can even substitute another protein such as ground turkey sausage or ground beef for a heartier soup.
Diced tomatoes. I used a can of diced tomatoes with juices, but if needed you could substitute a can of crushed tomatoes.
Chicken broth. Chicken broth is my go-to broth to use here as I find it more flavorful than vegetable broth but it will work too! Leave out the sausage for a vegetarian soup.
Cheese tortellini. Fresh or frozen tortellini.
Milk. Full-fat canned coconut milk or heavy cream will work here. Feel free to use what you prefer.

See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.

Instructions

Step 1

Set the Instant Pot to the sauté function on high. Add the oil then the onions and sausage. Break the sausage into crumbles and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Soup ingredients in the Instant Pot before cooking.

Step 2

Turn off the pot and stir in the Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes and broth. Scrape browned bits off of the bottom of the pot. Pressure cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes.

Step 3

Release the pressure. Remove the lid and set it to the sauté function. Add in the cheese tortellini and cook for 2 minutes, or until the tortellini are floating and tender. Stir in the spinach and milk and allow the spinach to wilt. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use dried tortellini?

If you choose to substitute dried tortellini, it must be cooked in a separate pot before adding it to the soup. Otherwise, the dry pasta will absorb a significant portion of the broth and make the base of the soup too thick.

Can I make tortellini soup on the stovetop?

Yes! Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and chicken sausage, breaking up the sausage while it browns, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the spices, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Add the tortellini and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the tortellini are tender. Turn off the heat and stir in the spinach and milk until the spinach wilts. Serve hot with Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and bread.

Why is my tortellini floating immediately?

If your tortellini is floating immediately, this simply means there is air inside of the tortellini, causing it to rise to the surface of the water. Continue to cook for a couple of minutes, or until tender.

Tortellini soup next to slices of bread on a cutting board.

Sarah's Top Tips

Be careful when releasing the Instant Pot pressure. When you switch the valve on top of the Instant Pot from "sealing" to "venting," hot steam will release and can burn you. Always keep your hands away from the spout for the steam to release. You can even use a kitchen tool such as a spatula to move the lever so your hand is far away and safe!
Double check you have scraped any browned bits from the bottom of the pot - If any browned sausage or garlic has stuck to the bottom of the pot and is not scraped up before pressure cooking, it is highly likely your soup will not come to pressure and will trigger a burn warning. Always check to make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom before securing the lid and beginning the cooking cycle.
Don't overcook the tortellini. Just like any pasta, overcooking tortellini will cause it to become incredibly soft and deteriorate. It will still be safe to eat, but will not be the most ideal texture.

Bowls of soup next to bread and red pepper flakes.

Serving

This Instant Pot Tortellini Soup is quite filling and can be served on its own as a standalone meal, but if you are looking for a few simple sides to pair alongside it, here are a few of my favorite easy vegetable sides:

Storage & Reheating

This sausage tortellini soup will last for up to 4 days. For best results, I recommend storing leftover soup in glass over plastic and allowing the soup to cool to room temperature before storing.