Can I use fresh tortellini instead of frozen?

Absolutely! Fresh tortellini actually cooks a bit faster, so add it in the last 5-7 minutes instead of 10. You'll know it's ready when it floats to the top and feels tender when you bite into one.

What if I don't have Italian sausage?

Ground beef or turkey work perfectly. Just add an extra teaspoon of Italian seasoning and maybe a pinch of fennel seeds if you have them to mimic that sausage flavor.

Can I make this dairy-free?

You can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk, and skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative. It won't be quite the same, but it'll still be delicious and comforting.

How do I prevent the soup from curdling?

The key is adding the dairy at the very end and not letting it boil once the cream is in. If you're reheating leftovers, do it gently over low heat, stirring frequently.

Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup

Name: Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 10 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lb. ground Italian sausage; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 4 cups beef broth; 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes, drained; Salt and pepper to taste; 20 oz. frozen/fresh cheese tortellini, about 4 cups; 3 oz. fresh baby spinach, tightly packed (about 3 cups); 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1 cup heavy cream

Description

A cozy and hearty slow cooker creamy tortellini soup made with Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, spinach, and a rich creamy broth. Perfect for a comforting family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. ground Italian sausage
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups beef broth
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes, drained
Salt and pepper to taste
20 oz. frozen/fresh cheese tortellini, about 4 cups
3 oz. fresh baby spinach, tightly packed (about 3 cups)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup heavy cream

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Instructions

Over medium-high heat in a skillet, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Add in Italian sausage, tomato paste and Italian seasoning and cook until sausage is slightly browned. Transfer meat mixture to a 6 qt. slow cooker.
Whisk the flour with the beef broth and pour over the meat mixture.
Add in diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
Stir to mix and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-6 hours.
Do a taste test and add more salt and pepper if needed.
Add in tortellini, spinach, Parmesan cheese and heavy cream and stir to mix.
Cook on high for another 10 minutes or until tortellini is cooked through.
Dish and serve hot with crusty bread.
Enjoy!

Notes

This slow cooker creamy tortellini soup is rich, hearty, and perfect for chilly nights. Serve with crusty bread for the ultimate comfort meal.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 480
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 1.12 g
Fat: 29 g
Saturated Fat: 14 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 21 g
Cholesterol: 85mg