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Mary Anne here. My generation got to enjoy the very first super-warehouse grocery stores like Sam’s and Costco. Actually, Costco was initially dubbed Price Club so I still find myself calling it that. But the point is, I began to love a chore I had always hated – grocery shopping. The aisles brimmed with all kinds of things I didn’t even know I needed and at such bargain-basement prices! I’d walk in and drop a couple hundred bucks and then STILL have to hit the A&P. But after the novelty wore off, I settled down and learned how to take advantage of buying in bulk without breaking the bank.
And what in the world does all that have to do with this soup? The original version of my potage was borne of the Costco aisles. When the family was still all under one roof, finding easy meals that pleased the whole crew was beyond challenging. One thing we always agreed on was soup. I used to buy broth in bulk and then add frozen Asian wontons along with some spinach and shredded chicken – a sort of ersatz Won Ton soup – and it’d be paired with croissants smeared with Boursin cheese.
This Tortellini soup is a version of that old family favorite, but since I don’t need to buy 5 pounds of frozen wontons anymore, I figured pasta and prosciutto would make for a grown-up friendly base. Simple and quick to prepare, this dish can get to your table in under 45 minutes!
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Tortellini Soup with Prosciutto and Spinach
Serves 10
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons best-quality olive oil – stock
¼ slab prosciutto de Parma(the deli person can cut this), cut into small dice – $2.79
3 large shallots ( a heaping ½ cup), finely diced – $0.98
4 green onions (scallions), white and green parts chopped – $0.99
2 cloves garlic, minced – stock
1 Teaspoon each dried oregano and dried basil – stock
¼ Teaspoon red pepper flakes – stock
12 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken stock – $7.50 (if using packaged)
4-5 cups (about ¼ lb.) fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped – $1.69
14 oz. bag frozen cheese tortellini – $2.99
grated Asiago or parmesan cheese – stock
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Grand Total Assuming a Well-Stocked Pantry and using store-bought broth: $16.94
Total Per Serving: $1.69
Directions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot, over medium-high flame. Sauté the prosciutto until beginning to brown, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the shallots, scallions, garlic, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes. Continue sautéing an additional 5 minutes or until the shallots are golden.
3. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add the tortellini and simmer until the pasta is al dente, about 4 minutes.
4. Toss in the chopped spinach and simmer until wilted, about 3 or 4 minutes. Correct the seasoning with salt and pepper.
5. Serve with freshly grated cheese, if desired.
Tortellini soup is one of the fiance’s FAVORITES. The addition of prosciutto is over the top! Love this!
I can imagine how this soup would please every member of the family. My husband and I have very different tastes and I’m sure we’d both love this! 🙂 I could eat soup every day of the week.
Yum, love this combination! I always forget about tortellini and how well it goes into soup!
I sure am making this soup . Prociutto & spinach & tortellini are 3 ingredients my whole family like., but I’m using domestic prosciutto instead. Thanks Mary Anne & Mariel!
Lovely soup! A similar one is a favorite of ours as well. I still love shopping at the warehouse stores though I do try to reign in now. After all, it’s just the two of us these days and how many bundles of paper towels can one store, really?
Love your description of spending money at Costco. So true!! This soup sounds perfect for a weeknight supper.
I’m such a fan of soup anytime. Ha, Costco or Sam’s Club…it’s an evil trap to get you to buy more than you can possibly use! I’m still a sucker sometimes….
Oh, love the idea of adding prosciutto! I rarely go warehouse shopping for food, but I sure do like the deals they have on books!
What a warm and comforting dish. Love the way they float on the top. Looks really beautiful 🙂