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Creamy Tuscan Tortellini Soup

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You know that time when you went to Costco and....  Need I say more?  Don't you always buy something you didn't intend to buy when you go there?  Those darn samples, they get me every time!  So there was this time I went to that accursed place that I both love and hate, and I ended up buying a huge package of fresh cheese tortellini.  The package was so big they had to split it into two packages.  Oh America... 
Anyway, I had to come up with a great idea for this pasta, because of course I bought it impulsively with no plan whatsoever besides, "this is good.  must eat again."  (Sometimes when I eat delicious food, it takes over brain function and I sound a little bit like a caveman...)  Everyone knows that when you need a good idea, you go to the World of Good Ideas Only (aka Pinterest), where anything you try will always turn out (I realize it's hard to sense sarcasm through text, but I'm counting on your common sense to know when I'm being facetious).  To my delight, I found a recipe for tortellini.  Did I say "a recipe"?  I'm sorry, I meant to say "a million recipes" for tortellini.  Ugh.  I hate decisions.  But alas, a decision-making situation was before me and I pulled up my...socks?...and decided on a soup this time.  The recipe was good, but along the way I made changes to suit my taste and looks.  I mean the looks of the soup.  This soup definitely didn't improve my looks. I'm sure it'll be different for you though...

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 Tbs olive oil
  • 1 white or yellow onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 cups water
  • 28 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 Tbs tomato paste (optional)
  • Two 15 oz cans cannelini beans (aka white kidney beans) drained, rinsed
  •  2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tbs Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp basil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 9 oz cheese tortellini
  • 4 cups spinach
DIRECTIONS
  1. If you don't already have cooked chicken, throw a couple of chicken breasts in your pressure cooker, and wait until it's finished before starting on the rest.  If you already have your chicken ready, you may proceed to the next step with a medal of the highest honor :) 
  2. Heat large pot over medium heat, and add olive oil.   
  3. Add onion and garlic and cook until just tender (don't let it burn!).
  4. Add chicken broth, water, diced tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, italian seasoning, basil, and salt and pepper.  Bring to a simmer and continue simmering for 15 minutes.
  5. Add chicken, tortellini, and spinach.  Let simmer for a few minutes longer (your tortellini, if fresh, should only take 2-3 minutes to cook through).  
  6. Serve topped with extra parmesan on each serving, and maybe a little sprinkle of fresh basil if you care about looks.  I mean the soup again.  
*You can do this without tortellini if you didn't accidentally buy a giant package that needs to be used like I did.  I have also made it non-filled varieties of pasta as well--shells, elbows, etc.  


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