Slow Cooker Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

There are cozy soups, there are hearty soups, and then there is Slow Cooker Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup—a bowl of pure cold-weather comfort that tastes like warmth itself. It’s the kind of recipe that fills your home with a savory, irresistible aroma as it simmers away in the slow cooker, developing rich flavors without any effort from you.

This soup brings together three stars: tender cheese-filled tortellini, flavorful Italian sausage, and a luxuriously creamy broth. Toss in fresh spinach, diced carrots, sautéed onions, and garlic, and you have the kind of soup that feels like a hug from the inside out.

Slow cooker recipes shine during busy seasons, and this one is no exception. With only a few minutes of prep, everything transforms into a restaurant-quality soup that’s ideal for winter dinners, fall gatherings, or anytime you need a comforting, family-friendly meal.

It’s rich but balanced, creamy but not heavy, and savory in a way that pairs beautifully with garlic bread, crusty baguettes, or a simple salad. Whether you’re serving a cozy weekend lunch or planning a weeknight dinner, this soup always satisfies.

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Why This Soup Works So Well

1. The Slow Cooker Does the Heavy Lifting

Let the flavors mingle and deepen while you go about your day.

2. Creamy but Not Overly Rich

A blend of broth and heavy cream keeps the soup silky without feeling too heavy.

3. Tortellini Cook to Perfection

Added at the end so they stay soft, chewy, and wonderfully plump.

4. Sausage Brings Bold Flavor

Italian sausage adds seasoning, richness, and a little spice.

5. Family-Friendly & Freezer-Friendly

Perfect for leftovers, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.

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Ingredients

For the Soup

• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (optional but delicious)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika

To Add at the End

• 1 package (9–12 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Brown the sausage.
   In a skillet, cook Italian sausage until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Add to slow cooker.
   Transfer sausage to the slow cooker along with onion, carrots, garlic, chicken broth, tomatoes, and seasonings.
3. Slow cook.
   Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours until veggies are tender.
4. Add tortellini.
   Stir in cheese tortellini and cook on HIGH for 15–20 minutes, until softened.
5. Make it creamy.
   Add heavy cream, spinach, and parmesan. Stir until spinach wilts.
6. Taste & serve.
   Adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle into bowls and enjoy warm.

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Tips for the Perfect Tortellini Soup

Add tortellini at the end.
Leaving them too long makes them mushy.

Use high-quality sausage.
A good Italian sausage instantly upgrades flavor.

Fresh tortellini works best.
Frozen works too—just add 5 extra minutes to cook time.

Adjust creaminess.
Add more cream for a richer soup or reduce for a lighter version.

Stir in spinach right before serving.
This keeps the leaves vibrant and tender.

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Variations

Spicy Version

Use hot Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes.

Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup

Add crushed tomatoes and extra basil.

Veggie-Packed Version

Add celery, zucchini, or even kale.

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Swap sausage for shredded rotisserie chicken.

Creamy Alfredo Tortellini Soup

Add ¼ cup cream cheese for extra richness.

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Serving Suggestions

This soup pairs wonderfully with:

• garlic knots
• parmesan breadsticks
• simple green salad
• toasted sourdough
• focaccia

For a full cozy dinner, garnish with extra parmesan and cracked black pepper.

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Make-Ahead & Storage

Refrigerate: 3–4 days
Freeze (without tortellini): up to 3 months
Reheat: Gently on stovetop—add broth if it thickens.

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Fun Fact

Tortellini are said to be inspired by the shape of Venus’s navel. Legend says an innkeeper peeked through a keyhole and caught a glimpse of the goddess, recreating her navel as pasta. Whether true or not, tortellini certainly make every bowl of soup feel a bit more magical.