Description
A hearty and comforting Crockpot Sausage Tortellini Soup combining Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, tomatoes, and tender cheese tortellini simmered to perfection and finished with creamy parmesan and spinach. This easy slow cooker recipe delivers rich, savory flavors ideal for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats & Oils
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 large handfuls spinach
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Tomatoes & Sauces
- 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1½ cup marinara sauce
Liquids & Dairy
- 4-5 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓-½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
Dry Goods & Seasonings
- 20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2-3 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt (more to taste)
- ½ tsp pepper (more to taste)
- ¼-½ tsp crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics and Brown Sausage: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until onions become translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Add Italian sausage, breaking it into chunks, and cook until browned. Drain any excess grease before transferring to the crockpot.
- Layer Ingredients in Crockpot: Place chopped carrots and celery at the bottom of the crockpot. Layer the browned sausage and onion mixture over the vegetables. Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, chicken broth (start with 4 cups), Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours to allow flavors to meld and vegetables to soften.
- Add Tortellini and Finish Soup: About 20-30 minutes before serving, set crockpot to high if on low. Stir in spinach, heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, and refrigerated cheese tortellini. Heat until tortellini is al dente, stirring occasionally, about 15-20 minutes.
- Final Touches and Serve: Once tortellini is cooked, shift crockpot to warm or remove from heat to prevent overcooking and mushy pasta. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and extra parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your cozy, flavorful soup!
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of chicken broth to control the soup thickness; add more for a thinner broth.
- If you prefer a spicier soup, increase crushed red pepper to taste.
- Use fresh tortellini for best texture; frozen tortellini may require slightly longer cooking time.
- Stir occasionally after adding tortellini to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or omit it entirely.
