Creamy Tortellini Soup Easy Crockpot Dinner

Creamy Tortellini Soup is one of the most hearty, warm, filling dishes ever! There’s nothing better than gathering the family around the table with bowls of comforting, nourishing soup and warm bread. During the winter months it seems we linger at the table a little longer, filling bowl after bowl of this rich soup, savoring its creamy flavor and catching up on conversation and good times. This is one of our family’s favorite tortellini soup recipes. Fresh tortellini, sausage, and spinach give the meal extra bulk, while the creamy tomato base warms your insides and your soul. Plus, the whole thing can be made ahead of time and will simmer all day in the slow cooker so dinner is done by the time you get home!

Ingredients in Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

Toss all of these simple ingredients into the slow cooker and dinner will be ready in no time! Here’s what you need for this easy soup:

Italian sausage – about one pound. Brown in a medium pan on the stovetop, then drain and add to the soup. Cheese Tortellini – you can use fresh tortellini or frozen. Switch it up sometimes and try spinach or meat filled tortellini. Fresh spinach – I like to use fresh baby spinach leaves, about 15 ounces. The spinach will wilt down as it cooks. Italian style diced tomatoes – Find these canned tomatoes in the canned foods aisle, and make sure to drain the juice before adding to the soup. Cream cheese – one (8-ounce) brick, softened and cut into chunks. This gives the soup lots of creamy texture without adding heavy cream. Broth – You can use chicken broth, beef broth or even vegetable broth for this recipe. You can also use homemade chicken stock or low sodium chicken broth. Salt and black pepper – to taste

Additional Ingredients or Substitutions

Fore more flavor or different textures, try adding any of these ingredients to your soup:

Kale in place of spinach Minced garlic and diced onion, cook these along with the sausage or sauté separately until onions become soft Diced carrots, celery, or other veggies such as zucchini or squash Fresh basil, oregano, thyme or Italian seasoning. Parmesan cheese Tomato sauce For a vegetarian variation, use mushrooms instead of sausage and substitute vegetable stock for chicken broth. If you like your food spicy, add a few shakes of red pepper flakes to the crock pot before cooking. Swap out the pork sausage for turkey sausage or even shredded chicken Non or low fat cream cheese for an even healthier option. Just a warning though: Neufchatel (⅓ fat of cream cheese) doesn’t melt as well and leaves little curds.

No Crockpot? No Problem!

Making tortellini soup without a crock pot is easy and can be done on the stovetop in just a few simple steps. Start by cooking the sausage in a large pot until cooked through. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer over medium heat until the cheese tortellini is cooked to al dente. Season the soup with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or seasonings for added flavor. Serve the soup hot and enjoy its comforting and cheesy goodness!

What to Serve with Tortellini Soup

Creamy Tortellini Soup pairs well with a variety of sides and accompaniments that complement its rich and comforting flavors. Here are some delicious ideas to serve alongside the soup: