Tortellini Soup

I ran across a recipe the other day for Tomato Tortellini Soup and it looked pretty good. I did not, however, have those particular ingredients on hand, so I made some substitutions.

Frankly, I substituted everything but the broth. And added bacon because everything's better with bacon. ;)  Our local store puts boxed locally-smoked (nitrate free!!!) bacon ends and pieces on sale fairly regularly, and I always try to buy a box, and I chop it up and use it in all sorts of things for added flavor and protein. The slices aren't pretty, but they're damn tasty, especially in soup.

Pulled from my pantry and super yummy!

For my version...

About 1/3lb bacon, or big handful of ends and pieces

1 1/2 quarts chicken broth

1 8oz pkg dried cheese tortellini

1 14oz can chopped tomatoes (I used petite cut with oregano, onion and garlic, but any would work)

1T Ranch Dressing Mix (or a little dill weed)

1/2 8oz pkg cream cheese

Chop the bacon. In your soup pot, brown bacon until cooked. Add broth, deglaze, and bring to a boil. Add tortellini and boil until cooked al denté, about 15 min. Lower heat. Stir in tomatoes, ranch seasoning, and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and serve!