Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe

Cozy Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe for Ultimate Comfort

Creamy tortellini soup simmers with hearty comfort on chilly afternoons.

Tender pasta swirls dance through a rich, velvety broth packed with robust flavors.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet satisfying meals that warm your soul.

Weekends invite leisurely cooking adventures that bring delightful aromas wafting through kitchen spaces.

Each spoonful promises a delectable journey through Italian-inspired ingredients blended seamlessly.

Cheese-filled tortellini create pockets of unexpected delight in every carefully crafted bite.

This recipe will make you the hero of your next mealtime gathering.

Dive into a bowl that whispers pure, comforting magic.

How to Save and Reheat Your Soup Later

  • Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping flavors fresh and ingredients intact.
  • Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion, and freeze for up to 2 months without losing taste quality.
  • Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain creamy consistency. Add a splash of broth if needed to restore original texture.
  • Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent tortellini from becoming rubbery.

Best Sides to Serve with Tortellini Soup

  • Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, savory flavors of the sausage and creamy soup.
  • Create a crunchy side that soaks up the delicious broth, offering a perfect textural contrast to the soft tortellini and tender spinach.
  • Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the soup's creaminess and provide a bright, refreshing counterpoint.
  • Bake a rustic Italian bread topped with rosemary and sea salt, perfect for dipping and adding an extra layer of aromatic flavor to the meal.

Creative Spins on Tortellini Soup

  • Vegetarian Delight: Replace Italian sausage with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to maintain the rich flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular tortellini with gluten-free cheese or spinach tortellini. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute tortellini with zucchini noodles or cauliflower florets. Use lighter cream or Greek yogurt to reduce total carbohydrate content while maintaining creamy texture.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to keep the recipe dairy-free and add a similar savory flavor.

What Makes Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup So

  • This slow cooker tortellini soup transforms busy evenings into delicious moments with minimal effort.
  • Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and walk away, letting the appliance do all the hard work while creating a restaurant-quality meal at home.
  • Packed with hearty Italian sausage, creamy texture, and tender tortellini, this soup delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal cooking skills required.
  • Versatile recipe adapts to different tastes, with kid-friendly elements like cheese and pasta that make mealtime a crowd-pleasing experience.

Ingredients for This Slow Cooker Soup

Protein Base:
  • Italian Sausage: Rich meat base that adds depth and hearty flavor to the soup, choose fresh ground sausage for best taste.
  • Chicken Broth: Liquid foundation providing savory background and cooking liquid, low-sodium options work well.
Vegetable and Aromatics:
  • Onion, Garlic: Fundamental flavor builders that create a robust soup base, fresh produce preferred.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity and texture, canned varieties work perfectly.
  • Fresh Spinach: Light green element providing color and nutrition, baby spinach recommended.
Seasoning and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Basil, Oregano: Classic Italian herbs that enhance overall soup profile, dried versions acceptable.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spice component adding gentle heat, adjust to personal preference.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, creamy texture and rich mouthfeel.
  • Tortellini: Cheese-filled pasta that makes the soup substantial and satisfying, refrigerated or frozen types work great.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Salty, umami topping that adds final flavor complexity, freshly grated recommended.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential final seasoning for balancing all soup flavors.

How to Make Tortellini Soup in Your Crockpot

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Grab a skillet and cook Italian sausage until it turns golden and crispy. Break it into small pieces while cooking. Drain away any extra grease to keep the soup light.

Step 2: Toss Everything into Slow Cooker

Combine these ingredients in your slow cooker:
  • Cooked sausage
  • Chicken broth
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Chopped onion
  • Minced garlic
  • Dried basil
  • Dried oregano
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Step 3: Slow Cook the Magic

Cover and let the slow cooker work its wonder on low heat for 4-6 hours. This allows all the flavors to dance and blend together perfectly.

Step 4: Creamy Tortellini Transformation

During the last 30 minutes of cooking, pour in heavy cream and add tortellini. Cover and let them simmer until tortellini becomes soft and tender.

Step 5: Green and Cheesy Finale

Stir in fresh spinach and sprinkle Parmesan cheese. Watch the spinach wilt and the cheese melt into the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6: Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Top with extra Parmesan for an extra delicious touch. Enjoy your comforting meal!

Pro Tips for Rich, Tortellini Soup

  • Sauté Sausage Thoroughly: Brown the sausage completely to enhance its flavor and ensure no pink remains, which helps develop a rich taste base for the soup.
  • Control Liquid Consistency: Adjust chicken broth amount if soup becomes too thick during cooking, adding more broth or water to maintain desired soup texture.
  • Prevent Tortellini Overcooking: Add tortellini in the final 30 minutes to keep them tender and prevent becoming mushy or falling apart during extended slow cooking.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Swap Italian sausage with plant-based sausage for vegetarian version, or use gluten-free tortellini to accommodate different dietary requirements.
  • Enhance Freshness Factor: Stir in spinach just before serving to maintain its vibrant green color and prevent wilting, keeping the soup looking appetizing and preserving nutritional value.
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Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe

Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe


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4.9 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty slow cooker creamy tortellini soup brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables with its rich, cheesy goodness. Packed with tender cheese tortellini and a velvety broth, this Italian-inspired meal delivers soul-satisfying flavor you’ll crave on chilly evenings.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein Base:

  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed

Vegetables:

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced

Liquid and Seasoning:

  • 4 cups (960ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces/411g) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (8 ounces/227g) tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Pasta and Dairy:

  • 1 package (9 ounces/255g) refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 3 cups (90g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sizzle italian sausage in a skillet, crumbling and rendering out excess fat to develop rich, meaty flavor.
  2. Transfer browned sausage into slow cooker vessel, amalgamating with aromatic chicken broth, zesty diced tomatoes, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, herbaceous basil, robust oregano, and optional fiery red pepper flakes.
  3. Allow ingredients to harmonize and intensify flavors by simmering gently on low temperature for 4-6 hours, creating a deeply infused liquid base.
  4. During final 30 minutes of cooking, introduce silky heavy cream and pillowy tortellini, allowing pasta to absorb surrounding flavors and become tender.
  5. Elevate soup’s nutritional profile and visual appeal by folding in vibrant fresh spinach leaves, which will delicately wilt into the creamy mixture.
  6. Sprinkle generous shavings of nutty parmesan cheese to enhance depth and complexity of the soup’s profile.
  7. Taste and calibrate seasoning with judicious pinches of salt and freshly cracked pepper, ensuring balanced flavor harmony.
  8. Serve piping hot in hearty bowls, garnishing with additional parmesan for textural contrast and visual elegance.

Notes

  • Swap sausage with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu or vegetarian sausage for a meat-free version.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level, making it kid-friendly or extra zesty.
  • Use low-sodium chicken broth to manage salt content for health-conscious diners.
  • Freeze leftovers in portion-sized containers for quick future meals, keeping tortellini separate to prevent mushiness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 485
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 705mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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