Nothing warms the soul quite like a bowl of creamy, cheesy tortellini soup, especially when it’s made effortlessly in the slow cooker. This Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup is a hearty, comforting, and flavor-packed meal featuring tender cheese-stuffed tortellini, savory Italian sausage, vibrant spinach, and a rich, creamy tomato-based broth.
The best part? It’s a dump-and-go meal, meaning you can toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a warm, delicious dinner ready to serve. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or a cozy weekend meal, this soup is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 500g Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (about 70g)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 9g)
- 800g canned diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 500ml chicken broth
- 250ml heavy cream
- 100g tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (2.5g)
- ½ teaspoon salt (2g)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (2g)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 250g fresh cheese tortellini (or frozen, if using frozen increase cooking time)
- 100g fresh spinach (or kale)
For Garnish:
- 50g grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Sausage (Optional but Recommended)
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula.
- Drain excess grease and transfer the cooked sausage to the slow cooker.
Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker
- To the slow cooker, add chopped onion, minced garlic, canned diced tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Stir well, cover, and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Step 3: Add Tortellini and Cream
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the tortellini and heavy cream. Cover and continue cooking until the tortellini is tender.
Step 4: Add Spinach and Serve
- Just before serving, stir in the fresh spinach until wilted (about 2-3 minutes).
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, Approx. 6 Servings)
- Calories: 550
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fiber: 6g
Tips & Tricks for the Best Tortellini Soup
🥄 Brown the Sausage First – While you can add the sausage raw, browning it first adds extra flavor and prevents excess grease in your soup.
🧄 Use Fresh or Frozen Tortellini – Fresh cooks faster, while frozen tortellini will need an extra 15 minutes.
🍃 Don’t Skip the Spinach – It adds a fresh, healthy touch to balance the creamy richness. You can also use kale or Swiss chard.
🔥 Make It Spicy – Add extra red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage for a kick.
🥄 Thicker Soup? – Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water in the last 15 minutes for a creamier consistency.
Creative Variations to Try
🍗 Chicken Tortellini Soup – Swap the sausage for shredded rotisserie chicken for a lighter version.
🥕 Vegetable Loaded – Add mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers for extra nutrition and texture.
🧀 Extra Cheesy – Stir in grated mozzarella or cream cheese for a richer flavor.
🍲 Low-Carb Version – Swap tortellini for zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup
🥖 Crusty Bread – Perfect for dipping into the creamy broth.
🥗 Simple Green Salad – A light and refreshing contrast to the rich soup.
🧄 Garlic Breadsticks – The ultimate side for an Italian-inspired dinner.
🍷 Glass of Red Wine – A Chianti or Merlot pairs beautifully with the creamy, tomato-based broth.
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