Creamy Tomato Basil Tortellini

Featured in: One-Pot Favorites

This creamy dish combines ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and cheese tortellini for a rich, satisfying experience. Start by sautéing onion and garlic, then simmer crushed tomatoes with broth and seasonings. After blending to a smooth texture, cream and Parmesan add velvety richness. The cheese tortellini cooks quickly in the base, absorbing the fresh herbs' flavor. Garnish with extra Parmesan and basil for a comforting, flavorful meal perfect for cozy evenings.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:59:00 GMT
Creamy Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup filled with tender pasta, fresh basil, and velvety texture. Save
Creamy Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup filled with tender pasta, fresh basil, and velvety texture. | tastlis.com

A comforting, velvety soup brimming with cheese tortellini, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil—perfect for cozy evenings.

This soup has become my go-to comfort food during chilly nights and always brings a smile to my family's faces.

Ingredients

  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Yellow onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
  • Crushed tomatoes: 1 (28-ounce) can
  • Tomato sauce (passata): 1 cup
  • Vegetable broth: 2 cups
  • Sugar: 1 teaspoon (optional, to balance acidity)
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground
  • Heavy cream: 1/2 cup
  • Parmesan cheese: 1/2 cup, grated
  • Cheese tortellini: 10 ounces (285 g), refrigerated
  • Fresh basil leaves: 1/2 cup, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
  • Additional grated Parmesan: for serving

Instructions

Step 1:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
Step 2:
Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 3:
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and vegetable broth. Season with sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
Step 4:
Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 5:
Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth (or carefully blend in batches in a blender return to pot).
Step 6:
Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, mixing until smooth and heated through.
Step 7:
Add tortellini and cook according to package instructions, usually 3-5 minutes, until tender.
Step 8:
Stir in chopped basil just before serving.
Step 9:
Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil.
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| tastlis.com

This recipe has brought my family closer, especially during cold evenings when we gather around the table to enjoy warm bowls of this soup.

Required Tools

Large pot, immersion blender or countertop blender, ladle, chef's knife, cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains milk (cream, Parmesan cheese, tortellini), eggs (tortellini filling), and wheat (tortellini). Check tortellini and cheese labels if sensitive to allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 420 calories, 19 g total fat, 48 g carbohydrates, 15 g protein.

A bowl of Creamy Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup garnished with basil and Parmesan cheese. Save
A bowl of Creamy Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup garnished with basil and Parmesan cheese. | tastlis.com

This soup is perfect for quick weeknight dinners and leftovers taste even better the next day.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Yes, fresh peeled and chopped tomatoes work well and provide a bright, natural flavor when substituted for canned tomatoes.

What type of tortellini is best for this dish?

Refrigerated cheese tortellini is ideal as it cooks quickly and complements the creamy tomato base perfectly.

How can I make this dish vegan-friendly?

Replace the heavy cream and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives and use vegan tortellini to maintain a creamy texture and rich flavor.

Is it possible to add some heat to this dish?

Yes, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be stirred in to introduce subtle spiciness without overpowering the flavors.

What is the best way to blend the soup smoothly?

An immersion blender is convenient for pureeing directly in the pot, but a countertop blender can be used in batches, returning the mixture afterward.

Creamy Tomato Basil Tortellini

A velvety tomato and basil dish with tender cheese tortellini, ideal for warm, comforting dinners.

Prep Time
10 min
Time to Cook
25 min
Overall Time
35 min
Author Lena Foster


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Italian-American

Makes 4 Portions

Dietary details Vegetarian

What You'll Need

Vegetables & Aromatics

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
05 1 cup tomato sauce (passata)
06 2 cups vegetable broth
07 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
08 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Dairy

01 1/2 cup heavy cream
02 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta

01 10 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini

Herbs

01 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Garnish

01 Additional grated Parmesan cheese
02 Fresh basil leaves

Directions

Instruction 01

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.

Instruction 02

Cook Garlic: Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Instruction 03

Combine Tomato Ingredients and Broth: Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and vegetable broth. Season with sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Instruction 04

Simmer Soup: Allow the mixture to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Instruction 05

Purée Soup: Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth. Alternatively, blend in batches using a countertop blender and return the soup to the pot.

Instruction 06

Incorporate Dairy: Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan until fully combined and warmed through.

Instruction 07

Cook Tortellini: Add refrigerated cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions, typically 3 to 5 minutes, until tender.

Instruction 08

Add Fresh Basil: Stir in chopped fresh basil leaves just prior to serving.

Instruction 09

Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.

Tools Needed

  • Large pot
  • Immersion blender or countertop blender
  • Ladle
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board

Allergy Notes

Review each component for possible allergens. If you aren't sure, ask a health pro.
  • Contains milk (heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, cheese tortellini), eggs (tortellini filling), and wheat (tortellini).
  • Review tortellini and cheese product labels if allergies are a concern.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

This nutrition data is just for your information—always check with a healthcare provider if needed.
  • Energy: 420
  • Fats: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Proteins: 15 g