Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup
Try this Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup recipe, or contribute your own.
Try this Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup recipe, or contribute your own.
- place the browned sausage onion, carrots, celery, garlic, italian seasoning, beef bouillon powder, salt, and broth in a 6-quart / litre slow cooker bowl. cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours.
- uncover and skim any fat that is sitting on the to discard. stir in the cornstarch mixture with the evaporated milk (or half and half or cream). add the tortellini and mix well. cover again and cook on high heat setting for a further 45 minutes until the soup has thickened, and the tortellini is soft and c
- add in the spinach pressing the leaves down to completely submerse into the liquid. cover again for a further 5-10 minutes until the leaves have wilted.
- pour in milk in 1/3 cup increments as needed, to reach your desired thickness and consistency (i needed 1 cup); taste test and season with extra salt only if needed, and pepper to suit your tastes.
- serve with crusty warmed bread
- Carbohydrate 0 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0 g
- Fiber 0 g
- Protein 0 g
- Saturated Fat 0 g
- Serving Size 1 1 (0g)
- Sodium 0 mg
- Sugar 0 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Calories 0 calories
Step-by-step
- 1 pound (500 g) ground Italian sausage (or ground chicken, turkey or beef), browned
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon beef bouillon powder (or chicken)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups beef broth (or chicken or vegetable broth -- I use low sodium)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch mixed and dissolved in 1/4 cup water
- 36 ounces evaporated milk or half and half
- 12 ounce packet three cheese tortellini (I used dried not fresh; choose any flavour you like)
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup milk
- Place the browned sausage, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, Italian seasoning, beef bouillon powder, salt, and broth in a 6-quart / litre slow cooker bowl.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours.
- Uncover and skim any fat that is sitting on the top to discard.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture with the evaporated milk (or half and half or cream).
- Add the tortellini and mix well.
- Cover again and cook on high heat setting for a further 45 minutes until the soup has thickened, and the tortellini is soft and cooked through.
- Add in the spinach, pressing the leaves down to completely submerge into the liquid.
- Cover again for a further 5-10 minutes until the leaves have wilted.
- Pour in milk in 1/3 cup increments as needed, to reach your desired thickness and consistency (I needed 1 cup).
- Taste test and season with extra salt only if needed, and pepper to suit your tastes.
- Serve with crusty warmed bread
Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup: A Weeknight Winner
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook a delicious and nutritious meal can feel like a monumental task. Often, weeknights are a blur of school pick-ups, homework help, and the general chaos of family life. That's why I've become a huge fan of slow cooker recipes. They allow me to prepare a hearty, flavorful meal with minimal hands-on time, leaving me more time to focus on what truly matters: my family.
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup is a perfect example. It's a comforting, satisfying dish that's surprisingly simple to make. The slow cooker does all the hard work, simmering the ingredients to perfection while I attend to other responsibilities. The result is a creamy, cheesy soup bursting with fresh spinach and tender tortellini. It's the perfect meal for a chilly evening, and it's so versatile that it easily adapts to whatever protein or vegetables you have on hand.
Why this recipe works:
Simplicity: The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. There's no need for complex techniques or hours of chopping and stirring. Just toss the ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it!
Flavor: The combination of Italian sausage (or your favorite ground meat), rich broth, and creamy evaporated milk creates a truly irresistible flavor profile. The spinach adds a touch of freshness and vibrant color, while the cheese tortellini provides a delightful cheesy bite.
Versatility: Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking. Substitute ground chicken or turkey for the sausage, add different vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini, or experiment with different types of tortellini. The possibilities are endless!
Make-Ahead Convenience: This soup is fantastic for meal prepping. Make a large batch on the weekend and enjoy delicious leftovers throughout the week. The flavors actually deepen over time, making it even more delicious the next day.
Family-Friendly: My kids absolutely love this soup! It's a fun and easy way to get them to eat their veggies. The creamy texture and cheesy tortellini make it irresistible to even the pickiest eaters.
Beyond the Recipe:
This recipe is more than just a meal; it's a symbol of efficiency and resourcefulness in a busy life. It demonstrates how even with limited time and energy, you can still create delicious, healthy, and satisfying food for your loved ones. The slow cooker is my secret weapon in achieving this balance, transforming ordinary ingredients into extraordinary meals.
I often serve this soup with a crusty bread for dipping. It’s a perfect complement to the creamy soup and adds an extra layer of texture and satisfaction. A simple salad on the side rounds out the meal beautifully.
Beyond the practical benefits, this soup also brings a sense of comfort and warmth. There’s something undeniably cozy about the aroma of simmering soup filling your kitchen. It creates a sense of home and family, making even the busiest of weeknights feel a little more special.
So, the next time you're short on time but craving a delicious and satisfying meal, try this Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup. I'm confident it will become a new family favorite in your home, too. Enjoy!
