Step 1: Cook sausage: Add raw crumbled Italian sausage and olive oil to a large pot. Season with Italian seasoning and paprika (you can use regular or smoked). Cook the sausage for several minutes over medium heat until it is cooked through.

Step 2: Add veggies: Add peeled and cubed sweet potato, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste.

Step 3: Make the broth: Add 6 cups of water. Note: You don't need to use chicken stock as the sausage imparts lots of flavor to the soup. Cook, covered with a lid, for 15 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through.

Step 4: Cook tortellini: Add tortellini to soup in the pot and boil for 10 minutes over medium heat, covered with a lid.

Step 5: Add spinach and cream: Add spinach right in the end. Stir in until it slightly wilts. Remove the soup from heat. Add the cream and stir it in.

Step 6: Adjust seasonings: Season with salt to taste, about ¼ teaspoon of salt. Add more red pepper flakes (add spice especially if you did not use spicy sausage). Top with fresh thyme.