Hearty blend of spicy sausage, sweet potatoes, tortellini, and fresh spinach in a creamy broth.
# What You'll Need:
→ Sausage and Seasoning
01 - 12 oz spicy Italian sausage, crumbled
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
05 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
→ Vegetables and Flavorings
06 - 1 large sweet potato (about 12 oz), peeled and cubed
07 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
09 - 4 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
10 - 4 oz fresh spinach
→ Liquids and Pasta
11 - 6 cups water
12 - 8 oz refrigerated three-cheese tortellini
13 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large high-sided pot over medium heat. Add crumbled sausage and cook, stirring frequently, until fully browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
02 - Sprinkle Italian seasoning and paprika over the cooked sausage. Stir to coat evenly.
03 - Add cubed sweet potatoes, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste. Mix thoroughly.
04 - Pour in water, increase heat to bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve tomato paste. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until sweet potatoes are tender, approximately 15 minutes.
05 - Add tortellini to the pot, cover, and cook at a gentle boil for 10 minutes or as per package instructions until pasta is tender.
06 - Stir in fresh spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1 minute.
07 - Remove pot from heat and gently stir in heavy cream until fully incorporated.
08 - Adjust seasoning with salt and additional red pepper flakes to taste. Garnish with fresh thyme before serving.
