This Soup From the Pioneer Woman Is My New Go-to Comfort Food Recipe (2024)

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Welcome fall with this warm hug in a bowl.

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Sara Haas, RDN, LDN

This Soup From the Pioneer Woman Is My New Go-to Comfort Food Recipe (1)

Sara Haas RDN, LDN, is a food and nutrition expert with formal training in the culinary arts. She works as a freelance writer, recipe developer, media authority, public speaker, and consultant dietitian/chef. Sara has over 20 years of experience as a registered and licensed dietitian. She has also been a professional chef for 15 years and a food photographer for 10 years.

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Published on September 15, 2023

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This Soup From the Pioneer Woman Is My New Go-to Comfort Food Recipe (2)

I love summer—the warmth, the seemingly endless daylight, and all of the produce that goes with it. It brings me so much joy. That’s why I’m always a little bit sad when summer leaves and fall slides in. Fortunately, I have soup to console me. And I can thank The Pioneer Woman for my first soup of this fall season—Ree Drummond approved.

Soup is my happy place. It feeds my heart and my soul. The action of gliding my spoon through a creamy butternut squash bisque or a brothy miso is so comforting and satisfying. How can something often considered so simple, be so special?

It’s all in how you make it. That’s why when I saw The Pioneer Woman’s version of chicken tortellini soup, I had to give it a try.

It starts with a quick sauté of carrots, onion, and celery. Once those are softened, garlic, red pepper, and Italian seasoning are added and cooked briefly before filling the pot with chicken broth. It’s all brought to a boil, then reduced to a simmer. Then pulled pieces of rotisserie chicken and a bag of refrigerated tortellini are added. Finally, it’s finished with a bit of Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

What Makes This Chicken Tortellini Soup So Good

  • It comes together quickly. Thanks to the use of convenience items, such as rotisserie chicken and quick-cooking tortellini, this dish takes less than 30 minutes to cook.
  • It takes one pot. That’s right, it’s a one-pot meal at its finest. If you’re anything like me, that’s important because I’d rather be eating soup than doing dishes.
  • It’s satisfying. I’ll eat just about any soup, but not my husband. His soup needs to be hearty in order to enjoy it. The combination of protein from the chicken and the carbohydrates from the pasta makes this a filling, comforting bowl of soup.
  • It can be modified. One of my most favorite things about the recipe is that it comes with lots of suggestions for customization. I’m a huge fan of experimenting and “coloring outside the lines” when it comes to recipes, so I appreciate the thoughtful ideas for swaps and additions. Don’t skip the suggestion of adding lemon juice! More on that in a second.

How I Make This Soup Recipe My Own

  • Add the Parmesan rind. If resources permit, buy a block of parmesan cheese. Cut off the rind and add it to the soup at the same time you add the broth. It’ll deepen the flavor of the soup, imparting a lovely salty, umami taste. Remove it before serving.
  • Squeeze in lots of lemon. One taste of the finished soup and I knew it needed some acid. I went with lemon because I had it on hand, but red wine vinegar or white vinegar are also viable options. Start with 1 tablespoon and taste. If it needs more, add additional acid by the tablespoon until it tastes bright and savory.
  • Throw in more veggies. The amount of veggies in the recipe is good, but to make this soup heartier, I recommend adding more. I added 1 more stalk of celery and an additional 2 medium carrots and loved it. You may need to tack on a few more minutes of initial cooking time since you’ll have more veggies, so just keep that in mind. As the recipe site says, spinach (about 3 cups) works nicely as an add-in, too, which can go in when the chicken and tortellini get added.
  • Use a good tortellini. There are some pretty bland versions out there. I recommend finding a brand that you love and using that. Otherwise, they’ll just make the soup feel boring.
  • Finish with a little butter. Adding a tablespoon or two of butter at the end is a delicious way to make this soup feel even more luxurious. It’s not necessary, but is the perfect finishing touch.

The Pioneer Woman's Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 4 stalks celery, sliced
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Optional: Parmesan rind

Directions:

  1. Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, and onion, and cook, stirring often until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
  2. Pour in broth and bring to a boil.
  3. Add chicken and tortellini, and cook, stirring occasionally until chicken is warmed through and tortellini are tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Portion into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Tips

Try this: Let the soup cook (before adding the chicken and tortellini) over low heat with the lid on to develop more flavor. An extra 20 to 30 minutes really helps make this soup even more delicious. While you’re at it, add that Parmesan rind too! Just remember to take it out before serving.

Serves 6

Recipe adapted from The Pioneer Woman

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This Soup From the Pioneer Woman Is My New Go-to Comfort Food Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is soup a comfort food? ›

Warm dishes like soups can bring a sense of comfort to the soul – maybe that's why it's called 'comfort food! ' However, adding nourishing vitamins and minerals to those warm dishes with fruits and veggies can be a source of nutrition to add to the comfort.

Why is soup comforting? ›

Also, a healthy soup provides an easy way to digest the nutrients we need, especially when we're sick. Soup is the perfect “comfort food” not just because it's so easily digested but also, according to some food scientists, soup's close appearance to baby food is a big (subconscious) reason we eat it when ill.

What can I add to canned soup to make it better? ›

How To Make Canned Soup Taste Like Homemade
  1. Sauté some onions and/or garlic: Low and slow is the way to go. ...
  2. Add protein: Leftover chicken or steak, some cooked diced ham or bacon or sausage (just a little — that soup is already salty). ...
  3. More vegetables: This is a great place for leftover cooked veggies.
Apr 25, 2023

What does potato soup contain? ›

There's onion, carrot, celery, and potatoes that get cooked down in the tiniest bit of bacon grease. Then goes in chicken broth, some flour and milk, and eventually heavy cream. There's some salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning, too, for flavor. To serve it, you sprinkle on some crispy bacon bits and shredded cheese!

What's your go to comfort food reply? ›

Here are some classic comfort foods that people often turn to: Macaroni and Cheese:Creamy, cheesy pasta is a classic comfort dish that appeals to both kids and adults. Chicken Noodle Soup:A warm bowl of chicken noodle soup is often considered soothing and is a go-to remedy when feeling under the weather.

What food is considered comfort food? ›

Fast food like burgers, French fries, and pizza. Homemade meals that your family makes like casseroles, fried chicken and biscuits, pasta, pot pie, and soothing soups and chowders like beef stew, matzo ball soup, and chicken soup. Snacks like chips, pretzels, popcorn, nachos, and munchies that curb snack attacks.

Is soup good for mental health? ›

Soup is beneficial for your health in both its preparation and drinking. Preparation requires mindfulness and a sense of slowness, which have been proven to help with anxiety and mental health. Many soups are also often easy to make, taking stress out of cooking.

Does soup actually help when you're sick? ›

Even the warmth of chicken soup can help. Drinking the liquid and inhaling the vapors increase the temperature of nasal and respiratory passages, which loosens the thick mucus that often accompanies respiratory illnesses. Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus.

Why is soup good for the elderly? ›

Soup Hydrates Really Well

That makes it a very hydrating meal, whether you're talking about cold-weather soups or cold soups that are perfect for hotter weather. If your elderly family member finds it difficult to get enough water into her diet every day, soup can be a great way to make up some of the difference.

What makes homemade soup taste better? ›

Use fresh, good quality ingredients like vegetables and herbs. Add a little bit of vinegar or lemon juice to your soup to make it taste better. Use a high-quality broth or stock as a base for your soup. Roast or caramelize your vegetables before adding them to your soup to bring out their natural sweetness.

How do you make soup taste richer? ›

Add acidic ingredients.

Foods that have a great deal of acidity, like lemon juice, vinegar, white wine, and tomato puree, can help liven up the flavor of bland-tasting bone and other broths. "The acidity of these ingredients works to complement and enhance the broth's flavors, not mask it.

What gives soup a good taste? ›

Use aromatic vegetables, like carrots, celery and onions. Adding some egg noodles or pasta can make the soup more thicker and turn it into a complete meal as well. Add some fresh herbs of your choice to add another layer of flavour to your dish.

What is the secret ingredient in soup? ›

Worcestershire Sauce

Similar to the fish sauce, Worcestershire Sauce adds umami to soups and stocks. It's because of the anchovies in there. It doesn't taste like anchovies, just like good rich meatiness. Give it a whirl in Vegetable Soup or a Beef Stew.

Which type of potato is best for soups? ›

Russets or all-purpose baking potatoes are high in starch and low in moisture. In soups, they will soak up the liquid and lose their shape. This makes them the ideal choice for making creamy soups or thickening a runny soup. Try using Russet potatoes to create the perfect Loaded Potato Soup.

Why is soup comforting when sick? ›

Even the warmth of chicken soup can help. Drinking the liquid and inhaling the vapors increase the temperature of nasal and respiratory passages, which loosens the thick mucus that often accompanies respiratory illnesses. Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus.

What category of food is soup? ›

Soup is a primarily liquid food, generally served warm or hot (but may be cool or cold), that is made by combining ingredients of meat or vegetables with stock, milk, or water. Hot soups are additionally characterized by boiling solid ingredients in liquids in a pot until the flavors are extracted, forming a broth.

Is chicken soup a comfort food? ›

Chicken soup is synonymous with comfort, nourishment, and warmth; serving a steaming bowl is a simple act of care, whether it's for yourself, your family, a friend, or a neighbor. Chicken noodle soup is a much-loved classic, and there are so many more ways to prepare chicken and broth!

Does soup actually make you feel better? ›

Chicken soup has long been used as a home remedy for cold and flu. Some scientific evidence indicates that the soup could be anti-inflammatory. Though research is scant, experts say chicken soup is worth a try when you're sick.

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