Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large, high-sided pot over medium heat. Add crumbled sausage.

Step 2

Cook for several minutes over medium heat, stirring until the sausage is cooked through. Drain all grease. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and paprika.

Step 3

Add peeled and cubed sweet potato, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste.

Step 4

Add 6 cups of water. Note: You don't need to use chicken stock as the sausage imparts lots of flavor to the soup.

Step 5

Bring to boil. Mix everything well, ensuring the tomato paste dissolves.

Step 6

Once the soup is boiling, reduce to simmer (a visible boil), cover the pot with a lid, and cook for 15 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through.

Step 7

Add tortellini to soup in the pot, cover with a lid and boil for 10 minutes over medium heat. Note: Use the cooking time indicated on the tortellini package as your guide.

Step 8

Add spinach right in the end, stir in until it slightly wilts.

Step 9

Remove the soup from heat. Add the cream and stir it in.

Step 10

Season with salt and more red pepper flakes (add spice especially if you did not use spicy sausage). Top with fresh thyme.

Step 11

Important note: No salt might be necessary if the sausage is very salty. Use your judgment about whether to add salt or not based on how salty the sausage is.  If the sausage is not very salty, season with salt to taste, about ¼ teaspoon of salt or less.