Tag: #CozyMeals

Creamy Tortellini Soup with Fresh Garden Spinach

Lisa Kidd

There’s nothing better than harvesting fresh spinach from the garden and turning it into a warm, comforting homemade soup. In today’s Bariatric Living with Lisa recipe, I made a rich and creamy Tortellini Soup loaded with Italian sausage, vegetables, cheesy tortellini, and fresh garden spinach.

This recipe is hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make in one pot. The fresh spinach adds beautiful color and freshness while the creamy broth and cheese tortellini make this meal feel extra cozy and satisfying.

One of my favorite parts of container gardening is being able to walk outside, harvest fresh ingredients, and immediately use them in recipes like this. It truly makes homemade meals taste even better!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy one-pot meal
  • Comfort food with fresh vegetables
  • Great way to use garden spinach
  • Creamy, rich, and satisfying
  • Perfect for meal prep or leftovers

Ingredients

1 pound ground Italian sausage, browned

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 8oz pack of sliced mushrooms

  • 2 large carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • ½ Tablespoon Adobo Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups chicken broth 
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch mixed and dissolved in 1/4 cup water
  • 36 ounces evaporated milk 
  • 12 ounce packet three cheese tortellini I used dried not fresh; choose any flavour you like
  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 cup milk, if needed

Instructions

  • Place the browned sausage, onion, carrots, celery, Adobo seasoning, Italian seasoning, chicken bouillon powder, salt, and broth in a Dutch oven. Cover and cook on Medium High until boiling and vegetables are tender.
  • Uncover and stir in the cornstarch mixture with the evaporated milk. Add the tortellini and the Spinach, mix well. Cover again and cook on Medium to Medium High heat until the soup has thickened, and the tortellini is soft and cooked through. You may need to add milk, a little bit at a time to thin out to your liking. Enjoy!

This soup is perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you want a comforting homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

If you make this recipe, let me know how it turned out and what you’re growing in your garden this season!

Autumn Skillet Dinner

Lisa Kidd

There’s just something about fall that makes you crave warm, cozy meals — and this Autumn Skillet Dinner fits the season perfectly. It’s packed with flavorful smoked beef sausage, sweet roasted vegetables, caramelized onions, and a simple garlic-butter sauce that brings everything together.

This dish is hearty, colorful, comforting, and comes together with simple ingredients. You can enjoy it on its own or serve it over jasmine rice like I did.

⭐ Ingredients

  • 2 (10 oz) packages smoked beef sausage
  • 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 2 (12 oz) bags Brussels sprouts
  • 2 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
  • 4 oz butter
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salt, Pepper, and Paprika to taste

🍽️ Instructions

1. Prep & roast the veggies

Peel and cube the sweet potatoes. Add them to a baggie with a drizzle of olive oil, plus salt and pepper. Shake until coated, then spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Microwave each bag of Brussels sprouts for about 30 seconds — just enough to soften slightly. Slice them in half, add to a baggie with olive oil, salt, and pepper, shake, and place on the same baking sheet.

Bake the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts at 400°F for 30–45 minutes, or until tender and slightly golden.

2. Brown the sausage

Slice the smoked beef sausage. Add a drizzle of olive oil to a skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Once hot, add the sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.

3. Caramelize the onions

Add the sliced onion to the skillet with the drippings from the sausage. Add a little more olive oil if needed. Season with a pinch of salt and cook until caramelized. Remove and set aside.

4. Make the garlic butter sauce

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and stir until fragrant. Add the butter and let it melt, creating a buttery garlic sauce.

5. Combine everything

Once the roasted veggies are done, add them to the skillet along with the caramelized onions and browned sausage. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated in the butter sauce.

Season with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.

6. Serve & enjoy

This dish is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it over jasmine rice for a heartier meal.

If you make this Autumn Skillet Dinner, be sure to tag me — I love seeing your recreations! 🍁