When the stars align and your first attempt at developing a recipe works out and you can’t stop high-five-ing yourself (this speaks volumes, I don’t do high-🖐🏼’s) you grab the largest bowl you can find, fill it up and don’t be shy. Toast some crusty garlic sourdough bread and call it a day. ⁣

⁣I wonder if I can balance this bowl on my chest and eat it on the couch wrapped in a blanket? I KNOW! Things that make you go ….. hmmm

One Pot Vegetable Tortellini Soup

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 4
Author: Mary Mammoliti / Kitchen Confession

INGREDIENTS 

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 large Italian eggplant, unpeeled and ½-inch-diced

• 1 medium onion, finely diced

• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

• 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

• 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved  

• 1-2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 

• 4 cups reduced-sodium beef stock (you can add an extra cup or two if needed)

• 2 cups crushed tomatoes, no sugar added and San Marzano tomatoes if you can find it. 

• 2 cups diced zucchini 

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 bag frozen beef tortellini (no need to thaw)

• 1 teaspoon sea salt to taste 

• 1 parmigiano reggiano rind, optional (see notes)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven, over medium heat. Add the eggplant and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Add a little more olive oil if the eggplant is sticking.

2. Into the pot add the onions, red bell pepper, carrots, and cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally

3. Add the tomato paste, and cherry tomatoes, garlic and continue to cook for 3 minutes.

4. Add broth, tomato sauce, zucchini, red and black beans, oregano, parsley, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and parmigiano reggiano rind. Cover, bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low or medium-low to maintain a steady simmer, and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.

5. Add tortellini, Cover and increase heat as needed to regain a simmer, and continue cooking for 10 minutes more, or until tortellini are al dente. Remove from heat and enjoy. 

NOTES:

You can keep this vegetarian by swapping out the beef to cheese tortelini, and the beef stock to vegetable broth. If you don’t have the parmigiano reggiano rind you can omit and top your bowl of soup with grated parmesan before serving.