Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup is a warm and comforting dish packed with flavorful Italian sausage, tender cheese tortellini, fresh baby spinach, and a rich creamy broth. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or cozy meal, it combines savory tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and Parmesan cheese for a hearty Italian-inspired soup cooked slowly to develop maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. ground Italian sausage
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes, drained
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additions
- 20 oz. frozen or fresh cheese tortellini (about 4 cups)
- 3 oz. fresh baby spinach, tightly packed (about 3 cups)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics and sausage: Over medium-high heat in a skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add ground Italian sausage, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the sausage is slightly browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Transfer the cooked meat mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add broth and tomatoes: Whisk the all-purpose flour into the beef broth until smooth. Pour this mixture over the sausage in the slow cooker. Add the drained diced tomatoes, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together to combine.
- Slow cook the soup base: Cook the soup on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours to allow flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Incorporate tortellini and greens: Add the cheese tortellini, fresh baby spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream to the slow cooker. Stir to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Finish cooking: Continue cooking on high for an additional 10 minutes, or until the tortellini is fully cooked and tender.
- Serve warm: Ladle the creamy tortellini soup into bowls and serve hot. Enjoy with crusty bread on the side for a complete comforting meal.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cheese tortellini according to availability; adjust cooking time slightly if using fresh.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can reduce the broth slightly before adding the tortellini.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken if you want a leaner sausage option.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and use vegetable broth, adding extra vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
