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Tender cheese tortellini and savory Italian sausage swim in a rich, creamy tomato broth alongside colorful vegetables in this comforting slow cooker soup. Each spoonful delivers perfectly cooked pasta, bold meat, and tender vegetables that make this soup satisfying enough to be a complete meal.
After experimenting with different slow cooker soups, I discovered that letting the sausage and vegetables simmer all day creates an incredibly flavorful base for the tortellini and cream added at the end.
Essential Ingredients
- Italian sausage: Choose quality sausage for the best flavor base
- Fresh tortellini: Holds up better than dried in the slow cooker
- Heavy cream: Creates the signature rich, velvety broth
- Fresh spinach: Adds color and nutrients
- Fresh Parmesan: Grate your own for best melting and flavor
Step By Step Instructions
- Build the Base
- Begin by browning Italian sausage with onions until golden. This develops deep flavor that infuses the entire soup.
- Layer the Flavors
- Add tomato paste, garlic, and seasonings to the slow cooker along with the sausage mixture. The slow cooking allows these flavors to meld perfectly.
- Prepare the Vegetables
- Cut carrots and celery uniformly for even cooking. Add them to the slow cooker with the broth.
- Perfect the Pasta
- Add tortellini during the final cooking phase to prevent overcooking. They should remain tender but not mushy.
- Finish with Cream
- Stir in cream, cheese, and spinach at the end. Let them warm through while maintaining their fresh flavors.
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Through many iterations of this recipe, I've learned that timing is everything. Adding ingredients in the right order ensures that each component maintains its ideal texture while contributing to the overall flavor.
Storage Success
Store leftovers properly: keep refrigerated for up to 3 days, reheat gently to prevent cream separation, and note that tortellini will continue softening,
Making It Your Own
Customize to your taste: swap sausage for shredded chicken, make it vegetarian with extra vegetables and beans, add red pepper flakes for heat, or try different pasta shapes,
Serving Suggestions
Complete the meal with crusty garlic bread, fresh green salad, or warm dinner rolls,
What started as a simple slow cooker experiment has become one of my family's most requested meals. The combination of creamy broth, tender pasta, and savory sausage creates something that's both comforting and satisfying. Whether you're feeding a family or want leftovers for the week, this soup delivers warmth and flavor in every bowl.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make this vegetarian?
- Yes! Replace the sausage with white beans and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- → What kind of cream should I use?
- Any type works - heavy cream, half-and-half, or light cream. Higher fat content will give richer results.
- → Can I use frozen tortellini?
- Yes, fresh or frozen tortellini both work well. Add either during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
- → Can I freeze this soup?
- Not recommended as cream-based soups and pasta can separate and become grainy when frozen.
- → What if I want it spicier?
- Use spicy Italian sausage and/or add red pepper flakes at the end to taste.