Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prepare aromatics and tomato base
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, then add diced onion and carrots and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 6–7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant, then stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute to deepen flavor.
- Add crushed whole tomatoes and diced tomatoes with juices plus 3 cups broth, bring to a lively simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15–18 minutes to concentrate.
Smooth and season
- Remove about 2 cups of the soup and purée until smooth using an immersion blender or regular blender (or use immersion blender directly in pot), then return to pot; stir in oregano and red pepper flakes if using and keep at a gentle simmer.
Finish tortellini and final assembly
- Increase heat briefly to bring the soup back to a simmer, add 12 ounces tortellini, stir gently and cook until just tender (fresh 3–4 minutes, frozen 5–6 minutes), then immediately turn off heat and cover the pot for 1–2 minutes to finish cooking off heat.
- Uncover and stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream or 3 tablespoons mascarpone and 2 tablespoons olive oil, then fold in baby spinach and chopped basil until wilted; taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Serve hot with grated Parmesan on the side.
Notes
Reduce one can of tomatoes for body and purée part of the soup for silkiness; add tortellini at the end and finish covered off heat to avoid a starchy broth. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; do not freeze cooked tortellini—freeze the broth base only.
