On the Menu: Spinach Tortellini Soup

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Barilla, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #JoytotheTable  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

When a recipe has too many steps, I am immediately out. Nope, nope nope. Cheese is easier to eat plain than using a double broiler, or browning meats and then scraping them into the base of a sauce. Nope. "Take sausage out of casing" is even too much for me. I'm immediately deterred. Don't even talk to me about candy making or cake baking. Special pans? No way. I really wish I was that person that made elaborate and amazing meals, but I'm a picnic food person and until I have eight unrestricted hours of free time a day... ain't gonna happen.

So today, for all the people like me out there, just sitting around eating cereal, salami, and butter lettuce out of the bag with dressing on it, here's a super simple soup that won't have you balking at any of the steps. I promise. It takes about 20 minutes and you can even watch whatever terrible show is on your Netflix queue while preparing. It's also a great meal to make during the crazy busy holiday season that can be brought the next day for lunch or shared with a family/boyfriend/cat (nope, sorry, not safe for cats) on the move.

I snagged the ingredients listed below at Safeway in about 10 minutes and carried them the mile home with only a minor back and shoulder strain, so there is no excuse! Also the Barilla tortellini I bought is dried and have four servings, so you can cook half and store for another soup-y night!

You'll need:

1/2 an onion, minced

1 tablespoon chopped garlic (or two cloves)

1 tablespoon olive oil

6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1/2 package of Barilla three cheese tortellini

6 oz. (1 bag) fresh baby spinach

Pre-cooked italian sausage

Salt

Pepper

Red pepper flakes

Oregano

In a saucepan or soup pot add in your olive oil, garlic and minced onion and saute on medium heat until the onion is translucent and soft. Add chicken broth and sausage (sliced into bite size pieces) to the pot and turn to medium high, bringing to a boil. Once boiling, add 1/2 of the bag of Barilla tortellini and cook according to package (about 12 minutes on medium heat). Once the pasta is done, add your stemmed fresh spinach, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and oregano to taste. 

Voila! This soup is delicious served with some hearty french bread but lovely on it's own. 

P.S. Barilla tortellini is on sale at Safeway right now in stores - pick up a package and receive $0.75 off of your purchase at the register.