Crockpot Tortellini with Sausage

This Crockpot tortellini soup with sausage is the perfect cozy meal for busy days when you want something hearty but not complicated. Combining Italian sausage, tender cheese tortellini, fresh spinach, and a touch of cream, it’s rich, filling, and slow-cooked to bring out all the flavors effortlessly. It feels like a warm hug in a bowl and comes together in a way that lets the slow cooker do all the heavy lifting.

I first made this on a blustery fall afternoon when I needed something hands-off and warm. Now it’s a favorite, especially when I want a quick meal that feels like a treat.

Gather Your Ingredients

• Italian sausage: for a rich savory base choose mild or spicy depending on your taste and quality fresh sausage makes a big difference
• Onion: chopped finely to build the flavor base it softens and sweetens as it cooks slowly
• Garlic: minced fresh garlic brightens up the flavors don’t skip it
• Carrots: sliced or chopped to your preference add gentle sweetness and texture finely chopped if cooking faster
• Celery: chopped finely adds aromatic depth and natural saltiness
• Canned crushed tomatoes: bring acidity and body opt for good quality brands for the best taste
• Canned diced tomatoes with juices: contribute texture and flavor complexity
• Chicken broth: as the liquid base invests in a flavorful broth to elevate every bite
• Refrigerated cheese tortellini: no need to boil separately it cooks in the slow cooker during the last half hour
• Heavy or whipping cream: optional but recommended for a creamy smooth finish
• Fresh baby spinach: packed to add freshness and color stir in at the end for the perfect wilt
• Salt and pepper: to taste essential for seasoning your soup exactly how you like it

How to Make It

Brown the sausage and onions:

Add the sausage meat and onions to a skillet. Cook over medium heat for about seven to eight minutes breaking up the sausage with your spoon as it browns. Remove some of the excess fat if there is too much so the soup doesn’t feel greasy.

Add garlic and transfer:

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about thirty seconds until fragrant then transfer this sausage mixture to your Crockpot.

Add vegetables and liquids:

Add chopped carrots and celery to the Crockpot. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes with their juices. Next add the chicken broth. If you want the soup to cook in just three to four hours set your vegetables finely chopped but if you plan for seven to eight hours on low or four to five on high chopping larger pieces is fine.

Final additions and seasoning:

About thirty minutes before serving add the refrigerated cheese tortellini, a splash of heavy cream, and the fresh baby spinach. Turn the heat to high and stir occasionally so the tortellini cooks evenly and the spinach wilts nicely. Season with salt and pepper to your taste right before serving.

I absolutely love the baby spinach for the pop of green and freshness it brings in at the end. It’s a simple finishing touch but it changes the soup from heavy to vibrant. This recipe often reminds me of chilly weekend afternoons when the whole family gathered around the Crockpot smelling the savory sausage and garlic fill the kitchen.

Flavor Boosters

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a warming kick in winter months. In spring use fresh garden spinach or baby kale for the best seasonal greens. Swap canned tomatoes for fresh diced tomatoes in summer when tomatoes are at their peak sweetness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this soup with crusty bread for dipping into the rich broth. A simple green salad with a lemony vinaigrette complements the soup's creaminess well. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan before serving to enhance the Italian flavors and add a salty finish.

Creative Twists

For a lighter version swap out Italian sausage for turkey or chicken sausage. Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version but omit the sausage and add extra beans or mushrooms for texture. Try spinach alternatives like kale or Swiss chard for a different leafy green flavor. Switch cheese tortellini for meat-filled or even ravioli varieties depending on your mood and what you have on hand.

This warm and hearty soup combines convenience with rich flavor to make weeknight dinners simple and satisfying.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use spicy sausage in this slow-cooked dish?

Yes, spicy Italian sausage can be used to add a flavorful kick that complements the creamy tortellini and vegetables.

→ When should I add the tortellini and spinach during cooking?

Add the cheese tortellini and spinach about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time for the best texture and freshness.

→ Is it better to use fresh or frozen spinach?

Fresh baby spinach is recommended to maintain a vibrant color and tender texture, but frozen can be used if drained well.

→ Can I prepare this dish without the cream?

Omitting the cream will produce a lighter broth but will retain the hearty flavor from the sausage and tomatoes.

→ How can I store leftovers to maintain flavor and texture?

Store leftovers in an airtight container and add extra chicken broth or heat tortellini separately when reheating to prevent thickening.