Description
Hearty crockpot tortellini soup with sausage blends Italian comfort flavors for a comforting meal. Rich broth, tender pasta, and savory sausage combine into a satisfying dish you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (28 ounces) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Garnish:
- 1 (16 ounces) package cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Sizzle the sausage in a skillet until golden brown, carefully draining any excess fat to ensure a rich, concentrated flavor profile.
- Transfer the caramelized sausage into the crockpot, layering it with diced onions, minced garlic, robust chicken broth, vibrant crushed tomatoes, aromatic Italian seasoning, zesty red pepper flakes, and a balanced blend of salt and pepper.
- Allow the ingredients to meld together on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours, creating a deeply infused and harmonious soup base.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, gently fold in velvety cream cheese and tender cheese tortellini, letting them simmer and absorb the surrounding flavors.
- Introduce fresh spinach leaves in the last 5-10 minutes, watching them delicately wilt and integrate into the soup’s luxurious texture.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, crowning each portion with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by browning sausage thoroughly before adding to crockpot, which develops deeper meat taste and caramelized notes.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes, allowing personalized heat intensity for different palate preferences.
- Prevent tortellini from becoming mushy by adding during final 30 minutes of cooking, ensuring perfect texture and preventing overcooking.
- Transform into vegetarian version by substituting sausage with plant-based protein like lentils or mushrooms, maintaining rich umami profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 355 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 840 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg