$5 Dinner: Tortellini Florentine Soup

Once again, I apologize for my picture-taking ineptitude.  Yes, I know the picture is blurry.

It’s autumn, and that means it’s Soup Time.  We are a soup-loving family and this Tortellini Florentine Soup is a big hit.  It’s inexpensive, easy, and delicious!

Enjoy!

The prices listed below are an average of what I typically pay per the amount needed for the recipe.  Depending on your location, your prices may vary.

Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 clove of garlic, minced (Dried garlic works just fine too!)- 20 cents
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 jar of red pasta sauce  (or substitute 2 cans of diced tomatoes, a little oregano, and a little basil)- $1
4 cups of chicken broth or stock- 50 cents
16 oz frozen spinach- $1
9- 12 oz dried or frozen tortellini, any variety.  The amount you use can depend on how hearty you want your soup.- $2.50

In a medium pan, cook tortellini per package instructions.

Heat spinach per package instructions.

While tortellini is cooking, heat oil on medium high in a large pot.  Saute garlic for 2 minutes.

Add sauce and broth.  Stir.  Reduce to low heat.

When spinach and tortellini are each done cooking, add to the pot.

Heat until desired temperature.

I typically serve this soup with a serving of hearty grain bread each.  50 cents (Buy your bread on the discount bakery rack and freeze it until you need it.)

Final cost of meal, including suggested side:  $5.70

Something to note:  My family eats very little meat, so most of the recipes I share here don’t include any.  If you want to include meat and shop good sales for it, you should be able to add it for just an extra $1 or less, assuming you aren’t making the meat the main attraction, but rather a small addition to the recipe I’ve shared.  (If you want to know more about saving money on meat- and my family’s decision to eat very little of it- click here.)

If you have a frugal meal idea you would like to share with Frugal in Virginia readers, please let me know!