Tortellini en Brodo Soup (Tortellini in Broth)
Updated Dec 03, 2025, Published Dec 23, 2020
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Tortellini en Brodo is one of those classic Italian dishes that always finds its way to our Christmas table. In my family, this tortellini in broth soup is the traditional first course for Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day lunch. I love how the small, delicate tortellini give you the perfect bite in every spoonful.
Even though it’s a humble peasant dish, it always feels special on the holiday table. It’s comforting, simple, and a perfect example of how Italian cooking lets a few good ingredients shine. Pair it with a fresh salad, my bruschetta with mozzarella, or a warm loaf of crusty Italian bread to complete the meal.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- Prep Time: 3 hours (to make homemade broth)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (cook tortellini in broth)
- Servings: 4-6 people
- Dietary Info: Naturally vegetarian if made with vegetable broth and cheese tortellini; easily dairy-free with a vegan tortellini option.
- Method: Heat the broth, simmer the tortellini until tender, and serve immediately with Parmigiano.
- Technique: Keep the broth at a gentle simmer for clarity and cook the tortellini only to al dente.
- Flavor & Texture: Light, savory broth with tender, delicate tortellini and a silky finish from freshly grated Parmigiano.
Why you’ll love this holiday favorite!
Every Christmas Eve, before the big feast, the desserts, and the excitement of gifts, we begin our meal with this humble bowl of tortellini in brodo. It’s a tradition that brings me straight back to Italy. To the simplicity of the Christmas story, the warmth of family gathered around the table, and the quiet comfort of starting the holiday with something cozy and meaningful.
I love this soup not only for its history, but also for how beautifully practical it is. When I have extra homemade chicken broth tucked away in the freezer, this becomes an easy, nourishing meal on a cold winter day. Warm broth, tender tortellini, a shower of fresh Parmigiano… it doesn’t get more straightforward or satisfying.
If you enjoy this recipe, you’ll also love my Italian pastina soup, another comforting classic made with rich chicken broth.
Made With Amore,
“Delicious tasty soup. Very easy recipe to make. My grandmother would have been proud. Reminded me of my Childhood Christmas.”
– Joe
Table of Contents
What Is Tortellini in Brodo?
Tortellini in brodo is one of the most beloved dishes from the Emilia-Romagna area of Italy, especially the cities of Bologna and Modena, where tiny hand-folded tortellini are made around the city and are a point of pride for the region.
The hand-shaped tortellini are simmered gently and served in a clear, deeply flavorful broth (brodo). Traditionally, this dish is enjoyed as a primo piatto during Christmas and other special occasions. In many families, it’s the first course that signals the holidays have truly begun.
Classic Bolognese tortellini are filled with a rich blend of pork, prosciutto, mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano, and a touch of nutmeg. While my everyday version keeps things accessible with good-quality cheese tortellini, this recipe stays true to the dish’s heart: a comforting bowl of broth and tender pasta that tastes like home.
If you love tortellini, try this tortellini soup with spinach, too!
Simple Ingredients
This tortellini soup calls for only a few ingredients, so make sure they are of the highest quality, especially the chicken stock. I prefer to make mine homemade.
- Cheese Tortellini: I prefer to make tortellini en brodo soup with cheese tortellini. They’re easy to buy at most stores in the US. For more ways to enjoy tortellini, try this tortellini alla panna.
- Homemade Chicken Broth: Buy a whole chicken and make homemade broth if you can. You can use the scraps from your roasted whole chicken to make broth or pick up a high-quality store-bought broth instead.
- Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese: Grate fresh for the best flavor!
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the Tortellini: Try different types of tortellini, such as prosciutto and cheese tortellini, beef tortellini, or spinach tortellini, just to name a few. You can also make this tortellini pasta salad.
- Use a Different Stuffed Pasta: I love using tortellini for this nostalgic recipe, but other stuffed pasta works just as well, like my homemade ravioli, or try tortelloni, ravioli, or cappelletti.
- Stick with Plain Pasta: You can make homemade pasta dough or use your favorite high-quality pasta shape from the store.
- Vegetarian: Swap the chicken broth for a vegetable broth or stock.
- Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, you can use vegetable stock instead of chicken broth and use tortellini with vegetable filling instead of meat or cheese.
How To Make Tortellini En Brodo
Making your homemade chicken broth for tortellini en brodo soup is easy, and I highly recommend it if you have time. I used the leftover chicken carcass after making my whole roasted chicken, or you could make broth from my roasted turkey recipe!
Here’s a look at how to make the dish after the broth is ready.
- Place all the ingredients for the broth in a large pot. Cover with water just enough so all ingredients are submerged. Bring to a boil on high heat. Then, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 hours. Skim the foam from the top as necessary as the broth cooks.
- Strain the broth through a colander or sieve. Discard the vegetables and herbs.
- Bring the stock to a boil over medium heat in a large pot.
- Season with salt and pepper, and stir in tortellini. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. The tortellini will float to the top when they’re ready. Remove from heat, and serve hot with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a slice of homemade Italian ciabatta bread.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tip
- Keep the broth at a gentle simmer: A low, steady heat keeps the brodo clear and prevents the tortellini from bursting.
- Cook tortellini to order: Add only what you plan to serve right away so they stay tender, not mushy.
- Taste before salting: Parmigiano and store-bought broth can add plenty of salt, so adjust seasoning at the very end.
- Warm your bowls: A quick rinse with hot water keeps the soup hotter and cozier at the table.
- Storing: Cool completely and then transfer to a sealed airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If possible, store the tortellini separately from the broth.
Tortellini en Brodo Recipe FAQs
For the best flavor, cook the tortellini directly in the broth. They absorb a little of the brodo as they simmer, which makes every bite more delicious. Just keep the heat at a gentle simmer so the pasta cooks evenly without bursting.
Tortellini cook quickly, so the key is to simmer, not boil, the broth. Add the pasta right before serving and cook only until they float to the top. If you’re feeding a crowd, cook the tortellini in small batches so they don’t over-soften while waiting in the pot.
You can absolutely prepare the broth ahead of time, and it actually tastes even better the next day. Just wait to cook the tortellini until right before serving. This keeps them tender and prevents them from absorbing too much liquid.
The broth freezes beautifully, but cooked tortellini don’t hold up well in the freezer as they tend to fall apart when thawed. If you want a freezer-friendly option, freeze the brodo on its own and add fresh or frozen tortellini when reheating it later.
Serving Suggestions
This cozy soup is wonderful on its own with a warm slice of homemade focaccia bread, but it also fits beautifully into a larger holiday or special-occasion meal. For Christmas Eve or any seafood-focused feast, pair it with a light starter like my king crab salad, followed by lemon butter lobster ravioli sauce.
If you’re serving it as part of a heartier menu, it makes a lovely first course before something rich and comforting, such as my stuffed lumaconi pasta or this juicy pork tenderloin.
When it’s time for dessert, you can never go wrong ending the meal with a classic—my authentic Italian tiramisu is always a crowd-pleaser and brings the perfect sweet finish to the table.
More Italian Soup Recipes
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Tortellini En Brodo Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Tortellini en Brodo Soup Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh or frozen tortellini, filled with cheese
- 6 cups chicken broth or stock, vegetable broth or stock
- Freshly ground pepper, optional, for serving
- Extra-virgin olive oil, optional, for serving)
- Freshly grated Parmigiano cheese, for serving
Homemade Chicken Broth
- 1 cooked whole chicken carcass, skin and meat removed
- 1 whole onion, cut in half outer layer removed
- 1 large carrot, whole or cut in half
- 2 celery ribs with leaves, cut in half
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary, add other favorite fresh herbs
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt, or to taste
- Water
Instructions
Homemade Chicken Broth
- Place all chicken broth ingredients in a large pot, soup kettle, or Dutch oven. Cover with water just enough so all ingredients are submerged. Bring to a boil on high heat. Let boil for a few minutes then reduce heat until it is just at a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 hours, skimming foam from top as necessary.
- Strain broth through a colander, or sieve. Discard the vegetables and herbs.
Tortellini en Brodo Soup
- Bring 6 cups of homemade chicken broth to a boil.
- Add the tortellini pasta and boil for 3-4 minutes or until al dente (according to package instructions).
- Serve with freshly grated Parmigiano cheese and freshly ground black pepper, and/or a good drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve with my no knead Italian bread.
Notes
- Simmer gently: Keep the broth at a low simmer so it stays clear and the tortellini don’t burst.
- Cook to order: Add only the tortellini you plan to serve so they stay tender, not mushy.
- Season last: Taste the broth before salting—Parmigiano and store-bought broth can be salty on their own.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This soup will cure what ails you! It is a cozy, warm, and simple recipe that has become a new staple in our house.
It is a good one! So happy you loved it!
Delicious tasty soup. Very easy recipe to make. My grandmother wouldhave been proud. Reminded me of my Childhood Christmas.
Hi Joe, thrilled you love the recipe. It is a homey and humble one that speaks love. Enjoy for years to come.
My husband and I loved it! I already had homemade bone broth in the freezer and was able to pick up delicious organic tortelliniโฆ such a cozy meal!
SO happy you loved the recipe ๐