Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage Recipe
This comforting Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage is a hearty and flavorful slow-cooked meal perfect for cozy days. Italian sausage, vegetables, crushed and diced tomatoes, and chicken broth simmer together to create a rich base, while cheese tortellini and fresh spinach added near the end give it a creamy, fresh finish. The optional addition of heavy cream adds extra creaminess without overpowering the dish. Easy to prepare and packed with texture and taste, this soup is a delicious one-pot meal ideal for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 8 hours (depending on Crockpot setting)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Vegetables
- 16 ounces Italian sausage
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced or chopped
- 2 sticks celery, chopped finely
Soup Base
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 4 cups chicken broth
Add-ins
- 2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream (optional)
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
Seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the sausage and onion: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the Italian sausage meat and chopped onions. Sauté for about 7-8 minutes, breaking the sausage apart with a spoon until browned and fully cooked. If excess fat accumulates, carefully spoon some out to reduce greasiness.
- Add garlic and combine: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Transfer the entire sausage mixture to your Crockpot.
- Add vegetables and liquids: Into the Crockpot, add the sliced carrots, finely chopped celery, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with their juices, and chicken broth. For a shorter cook time of 3-4 hours, chop the carrots finely; for longer cook times (7-8 hours low or 4-5 hours high), larger pieces work fine.
- Simmer the soup: Cover the Crockpot and cook according to your desired time: either 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high, until the vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
- Add tortellini, cream, and spinach: About 30 minutes before serving, set the Crockpot to high heat and stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini, heavy cream if using, and fresh spinach. Stir occasionally to distribute ingredients evenly and allow the tortellini to cook through and the spinach to wilt.
- Season and serve: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot for a satisfying, creamy, and flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can use either sweet or spicy Italian sausage depending on your flavor preference.
- The heavy cream is optional but adds a nice creaminess and richness to the soup.
- For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly or cook uncovered near the end to evaporate some liquid.
- Fresh baby spinach can be substituted with frozen spinach, but fresh is preferred for texture.
- This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen, but avoid freezing tortellini to prevent texture changes.
Keywords: crockpot tortellini soup, slow cooker soup, Italian sausage soup, creamy tortellini soup, easy crockpot recipes
