Instant Pot Creamy Tortellini Soup

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This Instant Pot tortellini soup isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary revelation that simplifies weeknight cooking without sacrificing flavor. Here’s why it consistently earns rave reviews and becomes a go-to family favorite:

• Unbeatable Speed & Convenience: This Instant Pot tortellini soup is the ultimate solution for those busy nights when you need a fast yet incredibly hearty meal. Pressure cooker recipes, like this one, often surpass one-skillet meals in terms of ease because they demand significantly less hands-on effort and offer remarkably shorter cooking times. This translates into one of the simplest ways to get a wholesome, satisfying dinner on the table without feeling overwhelmed.
• Gourmet Flavor in Record Time: Prepare to be amazed! This tortellini soup Instant Pot recipe delivers a slow-simmered taste experience in an astonishingly short 30 minutes total time! The magic of the pressure cooker lies in its ability to lock in and intensify all those rich Italian flavors, making the soup taste as if it’s been lovingly simmering all day long. Each spoonful offers a depth that belies its quick preparation.
• Effortless One-Pot Meal with Minimal Cleanup: Imagine cooking a complete, flavorful meal using just one appliance. With this recipe, everything, from browning the Italian sausage and sautéing the vegetables to cooking the tender cheese-filled tortellini, happens right in the Instant Pot. There’s no need for multiple pans, extra dishes, or a mountain of cleanup. Every bite is loaded with deliciousness, and the post-dinner cleanup is an absolute breeze! This makes it perfect for families and individuals looking to simplify their cooking routine.
• Versatile & Customizable: Whether you prefer a spicier kick, a vegetarian option, or a creamy finish, this soup base is incredibly adaptable. You can easily adjust ingredients to suit dietary preferences or whatever you have on hand, making it a truly flexible recipe for any occasion.
• Family-Friendly Appeal: The combination of savory sausage, tender pasta, and a rich broth makes this soup a hit with all ages. It’s hearty enough for adults and comforting enough for children, ensuring everyone gathers around the table with enthusiasm.

🎯 New to Instant Pot Cooking?

Before diving into this delicious soup, we highly recommend reading our guide on How to Use the Instant Pot. Additionally, our Tips and Hacks for the Instant Pot is an invaluable resource, perfect for both new owners and seasoned IP-ers looking to master their device!

Crafting the perfect Instant Pot tortellini soup begins with quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and how you can tailor it to your pantry and preferences:

• Ground Meat: The recipe traditionally calls for ground Italian sausage, which adds incredible flavor. You can choose mild or hot, depending on your spice preference. Feel free to substitute with ground pork, lean ground chicken sausage, ground beef, or any other ground protein that suits your taste. For a lighter option, opt for turkey sausage.
• Yellow Onion: Peeled and diced, yellow onion provides a foundational layer of sweet yet pungent flavor. If you don’t have yellow, white or even red onion can work, though the flavor profile might shift slightly. Onion powder can be a last-minute substitute, but fresh is always best for texture and depth.
• Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is non-negotiable for that authentic Italian aroma and flavor. Roughly 4 cloves provide a robust taste. If fresh isn’t available, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder can be used, but add it with the other seasonings, not during sautéing, to prevent burning.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes: A 29-ounce can of diced tomatoes forms the delicious base of our broth. These add acidity and a lovely tomato flavor. You could use crushed tomatoes for a smoother broth or fire-roasted diced tomatoes for an extra smoky note.
• Chicken Broth: This is the liquid backbone of your soup. You can effortlessly substitute chicken broth for chicken stock, beef broth/stock, or even vegetable broth to make the soup vegetarian-friendly. Low-sodium varieties are great for controlling the overall salt content.
• Hot Water: Adding hot water, rather than cold, is a clever trick that helps the Instant Pot come to pressure more quickly, shaving off valuable cooking time.
• Tortellini: The star of the show! You can use either fresh or frozen tortellini. Fresh tortellini usually cooks faster. If you’re opting for frozen tortellini, simply add 1 minute to the pressure cooking time indicated in our recipe card at the bottom of this post to ensure it cooks through perfectly. Cheese tortellini is classic, but meat-filled or spinach tortellini are also delicious options.
• Seasonings: We keep it simple and potent with bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and salt. Italian seasoning is a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. For an extra kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes, especially if you like a spicy tortellini soup. Freshly ground black pepper and garlic powder (in addition to fresh garlic) can also enhance the flavor profile.

While the classic Instant Pot tortellini soup is a winner, these variations allow you to customize it to your taste or dietary needs:

• Spicy Tortellini Soup: For those who love a bit of heat, simply swap the mild Italian sausage for a hot variety. You can also add a generous pinch or two of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings to amp up the spice level even further.
• Vegetarian Instant Pot Tortellini Soup: Easily adapt this recipe to be vegetarian-friendly by skipping the Italian sausage entirely. Instead, use vegetable broth and bulk up the dish with an array of colorful veggies. A cup of chopped zucchini or mushrooms added during the sauté step works wonderfully. At the end of the cooking process, stir in a generous amount of frozen chopped spinach; the residual heat from the pot will warm it through quickly and perfectly.
• Creamy Italian Sausage Soup with Pasta: To achieve a luxurious, creamy soup, stir in 4 ounces of cream cheese (softened) after the pressure cooking is complete and the Instant Pot has been opened. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a velvety texture that’s incredibly comforting. A splash of heavy cream can also be added for extra richness.
• Add More Greens: Boost the nutritional content and freshness by stirring in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or chopped kale right after the pressure release. The heat of the soup will wilt them beautifully.
• Different Pasta Shapes: While tortellini is central, you could experiment with other small pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, or orecchiette if you’re out of tortellini. Adjust cooking times according to package directions, typically 1-2 minutes at high pressure.

🎯 TFN Pro Tip

Boost the flavor with parmesan rind – For an extraordinary depth of savory flavor, toss in a parmesan rind while the soup cooks with the other ingredients. As the soup simmers under pressure, the rind slowly melts into the broth, infusing it with a rich, umami taste that elevates the entire dish. Just remember to retrieve and discard the softened rind before serving!

Tips to Prevent an Instant Pot Food Burn:

It’s a common concern: thick or acidic foods can sometimes stick and burn to the bottom of the Instant Pot’s inner pot. When this occurs, your pressure cooker’s display will likely show a “BURN,” “OvHt,” or “Food Burn” notice. Here are some effective strategies for preventing and addressing this issue:

1. Pre-warm and Add Oil: Before you even start pressure cooking, turn your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and allow it to warm up for a few minutes. Additionally, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the inner pot before introducing your ingredients. This simple step creates a protective layer that helps prevent food and sauces from sticking and potentially burning.
2. Deglaze After Sautéing: If your recipe calls for sautéing meats or vegetables before pressure cooking, it’s crucial to deglaze your pot. After browning, add about half a cup of broth or water and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These flavorful bits, if left unstirred, can trigger a burn notice. Ensure the bottom is clean before sealing your pot.
3. Keep an Extra Instant Pot Liner Insert Handy: This tip is a lifesaver! Having an extra inner pot on hand provides immense flexibility. If you do receive a “BURN” notice, you can safely transfer the food to a clean inner pot and continue cooking without losing your meal. Plus, an extra pot is incredibly convenient for preparing multiple dishes or for when one pot is in the dishwasher.

For more in-depth information on how to troubleshoot and handle a burn notice, we recommend reading this helpful article from America’s Test Kitchen.

No, if cooked correctly, tortellini should not get soggy in soup. The key is to follow the recipe instructions closely, especially the pressure cooking time. Our Instant Pot method ensures the tortellini is perfectly tender, not overcooked, retaining its delightful texture. Overcooking is the main culprit for soggy pasta.

Absolutely! While Instant Pot Tortellini Soup with sausage is already a balanced meal, you can certainly make it healthier. Consider using lean ground chicken or turkey sausage. Opt for vegetable and cheese-filled tortellini over meat-filled if you’re looking to reduce red meat intake. You can also increase the vegetable content significantly by adding more zucchini, carrots, spinach, or kale. Using low-sodium broth is another excellent way to reduce sodium.

For most soups, especially those with pasta, it’s best to cook them in the Instant Pot on high pressure. This ensures that the ingredients cook quickly and thoroughly. Always be sure to perform a quick pressure release (vent the steam valve) before attempting to open the pot after cooking.

Italian sausage soup with pasta is a fantastic dish for meal prepping! You can easily make it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When it comes to reheating, the microwave is usually the quickest option: simply ladle the soup into microwave-safe bowls and reheat on medium power for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the dish on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Unfortunately, tortellini soup cooked in an Instant Pot does not freeze well, as the pasta tends to break down and become mushy when thawed and reheated.

Yes, absolutely! While cheese tortellini is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other varieties. Spinach and ricotta tortellini, mushroom tortellini, or even chicken and prosciutto tortellini can add exciting new dimensions to your soup. Just remember to adjust cooking times slightly if needed, especially for larger or denser tortellini.

No problem! You can create your own Italian seasoning blend by combining dried herbs you likely have in your pantry. A good mix would be 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, and a pinch of dried rosemary. You can also adjust these ratios to suit your preference.

Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

Renae Gerhardstein