Description

This Crockpot Creamy Tortellini recipe is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender Italian sausage simmers with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, creating a rich sauce that melds beautifully with cheesy tortellini and fresh spinach. Finished with heavy cream and Parmesan, this dish offers a creamy, hearty dinner with minimal hands-on time, all cooked conveniently in your slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), crumbled
1 (19 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
3 cups fresh spinach
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, crumble and brown the Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and transfer the sausage into the crockpot.
Add aromatics and liquids: To the crockpot, add the diced onion, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together to combine.
Cook in crockpot: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the onions to soften.
Add tortellini and spinach: After the initial cooking time, add the refrigerated cheese tortellini and fresh spinach to the crockpot. Stir gently to distribute.
Cook until tortellini is tender: Continue cooking for another 20 to 30 minutes on low, or until the tortellini is cooked through and the spinach has wilted.
Finish with cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese (if using). Let it cook for an additional 5 minutes uncovered to warm through and thicken slightly.
Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the creamy tortellini hot directly from the crockpot.

Notes

You can substitute sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and use vegetable broth.
If you prefer less creamy texture, reduce the heavy cream to 1/2 cup or omit Parmesan.
This recipe can be prepared a day ahead and reheated; flavors improve with resting time.
Make sure not to overcook the tortellini, as it can become mushy in the slow cooker.