Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage Recipe

Introduction

This Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage is a comforting and hearty meal perfect for busy days. With Italian sausage, tender vegetables, and cheesy tortellini, it offers rich flavors that develop slowly in the slow cooker. It’s easy to prepare and makes for a satisfying dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces Italian sausage
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 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
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 3/4 cup heavy or whipping cream (optional)
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach, packed
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add the sausage meat and chopped onion to a skillet. Sauté for 7 to 8 minutes, breaking up the sausage with a spoon until browned. If there is excess fat, spoon some out.
2. Step 2: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer the sausage mixture to your Crockpot.
3. Step 3: Add the carrots, celery, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juices, and chicken broth to the Crockpot. For faster cooking (3-4 hours), chop carrots finely; for slower cooking (7-8 hours low or 4-5 hours high), larger pieces are fine.
4. Step 4: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cheese tortellini, heavy cream if using, and baby spinach. Set the Crockpot to high and stir occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a leaner option, use turkey sausage instead of Italian sausage.
• Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat boost.
• If fresh spinach isn’t available, frozen spinach can be used—just drain excess water before adding.
• For a dairy-free version, omit the cream or substitute with coconut milk.
• To enhance flavor, brown the vegetables briefly before adding to the Crockpot.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stove or in the microwave to avoid overcooking the tortellini. The soup can also be frozen for up to 2 months, but note that the texture of tortellini may change slightly upon thawing and reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cheese tortellini instead of refrigerated?

Yes, you can use frozen cheese tortellini. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time in the Crockpot to ensure it’s heated through.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version. For a dairy-free option, coconut milk works well and adds a subtle flavor.

Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 115 reviews

A hearty and comforting Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, and creamy cheese tortellini. This easy slow cooker recipe combines savory sausage, tender carrots and celery, crushed and diced tomatoes, and a touch of cream for a rich and satisfying soup perfect for any day.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Other

• 2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream (optional)
• 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Brown the Sausage and Onions: Add the sausage meat and chopped onions to a skillet. Sauté over medium heat for about 7-8 minutes, breaking up the sausage with a spoon until fully browned. If necessary, spoon out some of the excess fat to reduce greasiness.
2. Add Garlic and Transfer to Crockpot: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then transfer this sausage mixture to your Crockpot.
3. Add Vegetables and Broth: Add the sliced carrots, finely chopped celery, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juices, and chicken broth into the Crockpot. For faster cooking (3-4 hours), chop carrots finely, otherwise larger pieces work fine for longer cooking times (7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high).
4. Add Tortellini and Finish Soup: About 30 minutes prior to serving, add the refrigerated cheese tortellini, heavy cream, and fresh baby spinach to the Crockpot. Increase heat to high and stir occasionally to ensure ingredients cook evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste just before serving.

Notes

• Italian sausage can be mild or spicy depending on your preference.
• For a lighter soup, omit the heavy cream.
• The soup can be made vegetarian by substituting vegetarian sausage and vegetable broth.
• Chopping carrots finely helps them cook quicker in the slow cooker.
• This soup reheats well and flavors deepen after a day.

Keywords: Crockpot soup, tortellini soup, Italian sausage soup, slow cooker recipes, comfort food, creamy soup