Smoky Tomato Tortellini Soup (Chef Jody’s Family Favourite)
Chef Jody first made this Smoky Tomato Tortellini Soup for her kids, and instantly, they started critiquing. Too chunky, not enough tortellini (we have raised food critics!). So with a couple adjustments, the Tomato Tortellini soup is now fought over at the dinner table!
Creamy, smoky, and filled with pillowy cheese tortellini, it’s everything you want in a bowl of comfort, and the best part? You don’t have to make tortellini from scratch (though we could, of course).
We used Olivieri® Cheese Tortellini — because it’s Canadian, convenient, and every bit as satisfying as homemade.
Why You’ll Love THIS Tomato Tortellini!
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- Smoky & Creamy: A blend of tomato, bacon, and cream creates a luxurious, comforting base.
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- Shortcut Tortellini: Using fresh Olivieri® Cheese Tortellini keeps prep easy without sacrificing flavour.
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- Family-Approved: Tested and loved by Chef Jody’s kids (and that’s saying something!)
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- Quick Comfort: Ready in about 40 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30+5 Minutes
- Total Time: 35 Minutes
- Yield: 4-6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb bacon, chopped (we like the thick-cut bacon from FQ Butcher Shop or the Farmer's Market)
- 3 carrots, diced
- 5 celery stalks, diced
- 2 small onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans whole tomatoes, blended or crushed (about 796 mL each)
- 1 L chicken stock
- 2 1/2 cups cream (18% or 35%, depending on how rich you like it)
- 1 pkg Olivieri® Cheese Tortellini
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional garnish: fresh basil, grated Parmesan, drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
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In a large soup pot over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Don’t drain the fat — that smoky flavour is the base of the soup!
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If the pot is looking a little dry, add a bit of butter, then add onion, giving them a head start to soften. Season with kosher salt (always a good practise to season as you go).
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Add celery, carrots, and garlic. Sweat for 4-5 minutes, until soft and fragrant.
- Add in the tomatoes. Bring up to the boil and boil rapidly for 2-3 minutes to concentrate flavours.
- Stir in the chicken stock, bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and simmer another 10–15 minutes.
- Pour in the cream, and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Carefully transfer the soup to a Vitamix or high-speed blender and blend until silky smooth (bacon and all).
- Return the blended soup to the pot and keep warm over low heat.
- In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil and blanch the Olivieri® Cheese Tortellini until just tender (about 3 minutes).
- Drain and portion into serving bowls.
- Ladle the hot smoky tomato soup over the tortellini (now it’s officially Tomato Tortellini soup!)
- Top with fresh basil and Parmesan, if desired.
- Serve immediately, along with buttered toast or garlic bread for dipping.
Notes
Chef’s Notes & Pro Tips for Tomato Tortellini Soup
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Blending matters: Don’t skip blending the soup (pre tortellini!). That smooth, velvety texture is what makes this tomato tortellini soup irresistible (and what the ‘food critics’ highly advised!)
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Smoky depth: The bacon gives natural smokiness, but you can add a pinch of smoked paprika if you want to deepen the flavour.
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Make it vegetarian: Swap bacon for a drizzle of olive oil and use veggie stock.
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Meal prep magic: This soup reheats beautifully and freezes like a dream (just cook fresh tortellini each time).
FAQ: Tortellini Soup Essentials
Can I use frozen tortellini instead of fresh?
Yes! If you can’t find fresh Olivieri® Cheese Tortellini, frozen works perfectly, just adjust your cooking time according to the package.
How long does this soup keep?
It lasts up to 3 days in the fridge or 1 month in the freezer. Store the soup and pasta separately to keep the tortellini from softening.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Absolutely. In fact, it tastes even better the next day as the flavours develop. Reheat gently on the stove and ladle over freshly cooked tortellini before serving.
Can I skip the cream?
Sure. For a lighter version, substitute with whole milk or coconut milk. The soup will still be rich and satisfying.
Why We Love Olivieri® Tortellini
Hey, you know us, At The Culinary Studio, we love scratch cookingm but we’re also busy moms and business owners! Olivieri® Cheese Tortellini gives us that handmade texture and flavour without the extra hours at the pasta bench.
It’s a Canadian staple we trust when we want quality and convenience to meet in the same bowl (‘sponsored not sponsored’ as we like to say 😉
When asked what our favourite thing to make is, the answer often is soup. We can create magic from what’s in the cupboard, and that is so satisfying. For more soup recipes, click HERE!