A Tuscan-inspired soup with tender tortellini, creamy white beans, and a rich tomato broth, a perfect 15 minute dinner that's slow cooker friendly!
This has a few similarities to my tuscan white bean soup, like the lovely tomato based broth. Different veggies + tortellini but the same lovely, simple italian flavor.
Adding spinach and parmesan was a no brainer, it's delicious. I try to have some homemade chicken broth and/or instant pot navy beans frozen and ready to use to make recipes like this one!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Taste: Savory, creamy tomato based broth with garlic and parm to help the tortellini shine.
- Ease: One pot, 5 simple steps. Beginner!
- Time: 15 minutes to heat and cook everything. SUPER fast dinner.
🛒 Key Ingredients
- Tortellini - I love to use a cheese or meat filled variety, spinach filled seems kind of redundant but go for it if you want, no one can stop you.
- Tomatoes - Petite diced is the perfect size, the larger chunks don't add as much flavor to the soup (but still work) and crushed do not have enough texture. The perfect middle ground is petite!
- Spinach - fresh or frozen both work fine! Canned tastes pretty strong, I prefer the former two options.
- Beans - canned or instant pot white navy beans, cannellini beans, great northern beans - all are white varieties with a mild flavor and color that work well.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
✏️ Substitutions & Variations
- Parmesan - can be swapped out for pecorino romano or asiago are great alternatives to parm.
- Whole milk - is used to help make the soup creamy, but can be subbed for unsweetened plant based milk. It'll have a slightly different flavor but is still delicious!
- Flour - easily switched out for cornstarch, half the amount to be a gluten friendly option.
- Spinach - kale in it's place would be lovely.
🧑🍳 Instructions
- Step 1. In a large pan, combine the chicken broth, milk, flour, and all seasonings.
- Step 2. Add in tomatoes and white beans and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Step 3. Add tortellini and cook for 5 minutes at medium heat/low boil, until tortellini is cooked through.
- Step 4. Add in spinach and stir, cook for another 2-3 minutes until it's wilted down thoroughly.
- Step 5. Remove from heat and add parmesan cheese and chopped basil to serve. Enjoy!
TIP: Make sure to add the spinach at the END so that they don't turn "old green". We want a nice fresh bright green, wilted spinach.
📌 Troubleshooting
- Soup too thin: add a Tablespoon or two of tomato paste.
- Tortellini mushy: Add near the end and cook to al dente.
- Flavor flat: Add acid (lemon) or umami (parmesan rind).
- Greens wilted too much: Add last 5 minutes.
Make Ahead & Slow Cooker Instructions
Refrigerate: 3-4 days, reheat at a simmer or in bursts in the microwave to help prevent the tortellini from falling apart.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Place all ingredients in slow cooker except parmesan and basil and cook on high for 1-2 hours until tortellini is cooked through.
- Add parm and basil to serve.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Add pasta near end and cook al dente; undercook slightly at finish.
Vegetable broth & bouillon, plant based tortellini & milk, and nutritional yeast as a sub for parmesan are a good way to convert it to vegetarian friendly.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- These are AMAZING with easy cheddar garlic biscuits or sliced homemade french bread.
- Serve with a green salad and homemade protein ranch dressing.
🥣 More Cozy Soup Recipes
Did You Try This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Make sure to leave a star rating and a comment below the recipe card. I love hearing from you, and it is so helpful to other readers! Better yet, share it with family and friends. Thank you!!
📝 Printable Recipe
Tomato White Bean Tuscan Tortellini Soup
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth 480 mL
- 2 cups whole milk 480 mL
- ¼ cup flour 35g
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (28 oz) can of petite diced tomatoes
- 2 (15 oz) cans navy beans (about 4 cups homemade)
- 1 lb cheese tortellini ready to cook
- 5 oz spinach
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons chopped basil
Instructions
- In a large pan, combine the chicken broth, milk, flour, and all seasonings.2 cups chicken broth, 2 cups whole milk, ¼ cup flour , 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon , ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Add in tomatoes and white beans and bring to a simmer over medium heat.1 (28 oz) can of petite diced tomatoes, 2 (15 oz) cans navy beans
- Add tortellini and cook for 5 minutes at a medium heat/low boil, until tortellini is cooked through.1 lb cheese tortellini
- Add in spinach and stir, cook for another 2-3 minutes until it's wilted down thoroughly.5 oz spinach
- Remove from heat and add parmesan cheese and chopped basil to serve. Enjoy!⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese , 2 Tablespoons chopped basil
Notes
- Place all ingredients except parmesan & basil in slow cooker and cook on high for 1-2 hours until tortellini is cooked through.
- Add in parm and basil to serve.
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Sara!
Registered Nurse by day, food blogger by weekend. Perfect dip tester & snack quester. I love short walks on the beach and long naps. Sharing my love for food, one bite at a time.
Sara says
Love the addition of spinach. I've put peas in as well and it was great!