Turkey Tortellini Soup

turkey-tortellini-soup-398-d112293.jpg
Photo: Aaron Dyer
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
6

A leftover turkey carcass is used to make a delicious broth, which is then used to make a warming soup akin to the Italian favorite tortellini en brodo. The recipe is written for 1 pound of carcass -- for each additional pound, double the aromatic ingredients (carrot, onion, celery, parsley and peppercorns; do not add more bay leaves) used to enhance the broth's flavor. For more tortellini, you will need about 8 cups turkey broth for every 9 ounces of tortellini.

Ingredients

For the Turkey Broth

  • 1 coarsely chopped large carrot

  • 1 coarsely chopped onion

  • 1 coarsely chopped celery stalk

  • A few sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • 5 whole black peppercorns

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 pound leftover turkey carcass, cut up into smaller pieces

For the Tortellini Soup

  • Coarse salt

  • 1 packed cup baby-spinach leaves

  • 2 cups shredded leftover turkey meat

  • 9 ounces tortellini

Directions

  1. In a large stockpot, combine carrot, onion, celery, parsley, peppercorns, and bay leaf. Add the turkey carcass and enough water to fully cover. Bring to a gentle simmer for at least 1 hour and up to 2 1/2 hours for full flavor. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve; discard solids and de-grease. (Broth may be refrigerated, covered, for up to a week.)

  2. In a large pot, bring 8 cups turkey broth to a boil and season with salt. Add spinach leaves and turkey meat; simmer until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, as the turkey broth comes to a boil, cook tortellini according to package instructions in a separate pot. Drain, and add to turkey broth just before serving.

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, November 2015

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