Description
This hearty and creamy Italian sausage tortellini soup combines savory Italian sausage, tender cheese tortellini, and a rich tomato and herb broth, all slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot. Enhanced with fresh spinach or kale and finished with creamy heavy cream, it’s an easy and flavorful meal perfect for comforting family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, depending on your preference)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups spinach or kale (optional)
Broth and Tomato Base
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta and Dairy
- 1 package (9 oz) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- Fresh Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Once browned and fully cooked, drain excess fat.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the sausage in the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Move the sausage, onion, and garlic mixture into the crockpot.
- Add Broth and Tomatoes: Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juice, and tomato paste. Add dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the soup to heat completely.
- Add Tortellini: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cheese tortellini, ensuring it’s submerged in the liquid. Cook for 20-30 minutes according to package instructions until tender.
- Finish with Cream and Greens: Once tortellini is cooked, stir in heavy cream (or half-and-half) and spinach or kale. Let the greens wilt and the soup become creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and serve with crusty bread.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add more heavy cream or a bit of cream cheese.
- To lighten the soup, substitute half-and-half or unsweetened almond milk for the heavy cream.
- Add additional vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers early in the cooking process to ensure they cook through.
- You can control the heat level by adjusting or omitting the red pepper flakes.
- Fresh tortellini cooks faster than frozen, so check cooking times accordingly.
