Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage Recipe
This hearty Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage combines savory Italian sausage, tender vegetables, and cheesy tortellini in a rich tomato broth, finished with fresh spinach and optional cream for a comforting, easy-to-make slow cooker meal perfect for any day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (low) or 4.5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 45 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 16 ounces Italian sausage
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables and Tomatoes
- 2 medium carrots, sliced or chopped
- 2 sticks celery, finely chopped
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
Liquids and Dairy
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream (optional)
Other
- 2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Sausage and Onions: In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage and chopped onions over medium heat for 7-8 minutes, breaking the sausage apart with a spoon until browned. Remove excess fat if necessary.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then transfer the sausage mixture to the Crockpot.
- Add Vegetables and Tomatoes: To the Crockpot, add sliced carrots, finely chopped celery, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juices, and chicken broth. Adjust the size of the carrot pieces depending on your cooking time preference—smaller pieces for shorter cooking times and larger for longer durations.
- Cook the Soup: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. This slow cooking will allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender.
- Add Tortellini, Cream, and Spinach: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cheese tortellini, heavy cream (if using), and fresh spinach. Increase heat to high and stir occasionally to ensure the tortellini cooks through and the spinach wilts.
- Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving. Enjoy hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Italian sausage can be spicy or mild based on preference; remove casing before cooking if necessary.
- Heavy cream is optional; omit for a lighter version or substitute with half-and-half for slightly less fat.
- Finely chopping carrots is key for shorter cook times to ensure tenderness.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with kale or other leafy greens if desired.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free tortellini or omit the pasta and serve with gluten-free bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: crockpot soup, tortellini soup, sausage soup, slow cooker recipes, Italian soup, comfort food
