A few weeks ago my aunt made this delicious tomato and spinach tortellini soup for me. She had it for the first time while visiting a friend in Europe. (We can think of the recipe as exotic, since it comes from overseas). One bite, and I knew I would be sharing it with you. It’s a perfect spring time soup, and packs tremendous flavor in each spoonful. It’s also a soup that can be paired with a salad or piece of bread and enjoyed for dinner. It’s very easy to make and can be thrown together in no time. When I’m putting my meal plans together each week, I’m always careful to include a few meals that are really fast and easy to make. We are all busy and don’t always have the time or energy to make a complicated meal. With this soup, the hardest thing you will have to do is chop an onion. If you can operate a can opener and open a bag of spinach you will have no problems putting together this great meal. This soup has everything, a little bacon, fresh spinach and cheesy tortellini. At dinner time I am usually pretty hungry and a bowl full of soup won’t cut it for me. This soup is different, with the bacon and tortellini it’s both satisfying and filling, but light enough that it won’t weigh you down for the rest of the night. Make one night this week a soup and salad night.

Tomato & Spinach Tortellini Soup
Recipe Inspired by a family Friend

What you will need –

2 Tbs Olive Oil
3 Cloves Garlic chopped
1 Large Yellow Onion chopped
4 oz Bacon or Pancetta diced
9 Cups Chicken Stock
8 oz Fresh Spinach
1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
9 oz Cheese Tortellini (I used a spinach and plain mix which is usually easy to find)
28 oz can of Crushed Tomatoes
Salt & Pepper

In a large thick bottomed pot heat the oil over medium heat. Add the pancetta or bacon and let cook for 3 minutes, then add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent. Add a few pinches of salt to season the onions. Once the onion becomes soft add the chopped garlic and cook for 2 or 3 minutes, don’t let the garlic brown or it will become bitter. At this point your bacon should be browned and the onion and garlic cooked through, but not browned.

Add the chicken stock and crushed tomato, and let come to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook for 7 minutes. Add the spinach and parmesan cheese to the pot.

The cheese will melt and the spinach will wilt immediately. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with a slice of bread or a fresh salad.