Description
Hearty slow cooker tortellini soup brings comfort straight from Italian kitchens to dinner tables. Cheese-filled pasta and savory vegetables mingle in a rich broth, offering pure warmth with each spoonful you savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes (with juices)
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 package (9 ounces / 255 grams) refrigerated cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Brown Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces until no pink remains.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing until vegetables turn translucent and release their aromatic essence.
- Carefully tilt the skillet to drain any accumulated grease, ensuring a leaner soup base.
- Transfer the seasoned sausage and vegetable mixture directly into the slow cooker.
- Pour in chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and Italian herbs, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cover and set the slow cooker to low heat, allowing the flavors to meld and develop for 4-6 hours.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, gently introduce fresh tortellini into the simmering liquid.
- Stir occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Once tortellini is tender and plump, add fresh spinach leaves and let them wilt into the soup.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Ladle the rich, hearty soup into serving bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately while hot, accompanied by crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Choose lean Italian sausage to reduce extra grease and create a healthier soup base.
- Crush garlic and let it sit for 10 minutes before cooking to enhance its health-boosting compounds and deepen flavor profiles.
- For a vegetarian version, swap sausage with plant-based crumbles or hearty mushrooms like cremini to maintain a rich, savory taste.
- Consider adding spinach or kale in the last 15 minutes of cooking for an extra nutrient boost and vibrant green color that brightens the soup’s appearance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 508
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1093 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 103 mg