This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
This Creamy Tortellini Soup is a flavorful and easy slow cooker meal. Rich tomato soup with tortellini, sausage, and spinach are slow cooked to perfection.
Featured with this recipe
Creamy Tortellini Soup is one of the most hearty, warm, filling dishes ever! There’s nothing better than gathering the family around the table with bowls of comforting, nourishing soup and warm bread. During the winter months it seems we linger at the table a little longer, filling bowl after bowl of this rich soup, savoring its creamy flavor and catching up on conversation and good times. This is one of our family’s favorite tortellini soup recipes. Fresh tortellini, sausage, and spinach give the meal extra bulk, while the creamy tomato base warms your insides and your soul. Plus, the whole thing can be made ahead of time and will simmer all day in the slow cooker so dinner is done by the time you get home!
Ingredients in Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup
Toss all of these simple ingredients into the slow cooker and dinner will be ready in no time! Here’s what you need for this easy soup:
- Italian sausage – about one pound. Brown in a medium pan on the stovetop, then drain and add to the soup.
- Cheese Tortellini – you can use fresh tortellini or frozen. Switch it up sometimes and try spinach or meat filled tortellini.
- Fresh spinach – I like to use fresh baby spinach leaves, about 15 ounces. The spinach will wilt down as it cooks.
- Italian style diced tomatoes – Find these canned tomatoes in the canned foods aisle, and make sure to drain the juice before adding to the soup.
- Cream cheese – one (8-ounce) brick, softened and cut into chunks. This gives the soup lots of creamy texture without adding heavy cream.
- Broth – You can use chicken broth, beef broth or even vegetable broth for this recipe. You can also use homemade chicken stock or low sodium chicken broth.
- Salt and black pepper – to taste
Additional Ingredients or Substitutions
Fore more flavor or different textures, try adding any of these ingredients to your soup:
- Kale in place of spinach
- Minced garlic and diced onion, cook these along with the sausage or sauté separately until onions become soft
- Diced carrots, celery, or other veggies such as zucchini or squash
- Fresh basil, oregano, thyme or Italian seasoning.
- Parmesan cheese
- Tomato sauce
- For a vegetarian variation, use mushrooms instead of sausage and substitute vegetable stock for chicken broth.
- If you like your food spicy, add a few shakes of red pepper flakes to the crock pot before cooking.
- Swap out the pork sausage for turkey sausage or even shredded chicken
- Non or low fat cream cheese for an even healthier option. Just a warning though: Neufchatel (⅓ fat of cream cheese) doesn’t melt as well and leaves little curds.
No Crockpot? No Problem!
Making tortellini soup without a crock pot is easy and can be done on the stovetop in just a few simple steps. Start by cooking the sausage in a large pot until cooked through. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer over medium heat until the cheese tortellini is cooked to al dente. Season the soup with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or seasonings for added flavor. Serve the soup hot and enjoy its comforting and cheesy goodness!
What to Serve with Tortellini Soup
Creamy Tortellini Soup pairs well with a variety of sides and accompaniments that complement its rich and comforting flavors. Here are some delicious ideas to serve alongside the soup:
- Garlic Bread: Serve warm and crusty garlic bread for dipping into the creamy broth. For more substance, try it with our loaded garlic bread or hot and cheesy garlic bread.
- Crusty Baguette: A rustic baguette or artisan bread is perfect for sopping up the creamy soup and enjoying the contrast in textures.
- Breadsticks: You can never go wrong with breadsticks and cheese tortellini soup! Try our easy breadsticks or our homemade breadtwists!
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: For the ultimate comfort food pairing, serve a classic grilled cheese sandwich with a blend of gooey cheese and buttery toasted bread. To kick it up a notch, try this tortellini soup with our Margherita grilled cheese sandwich. YUM!
- Side Salad: Freshen up the meal with a light and refreshing side salad. A simple garden salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette works wonderfully.
- Caesar Salad: A creamy and tangy Caesar salad complements the creamy tortellini soup and provides a perfect balance of tastes.
- Antipasto Platter: Create a delicious spread of olives, marinated artichokes, cheeses, salami, and other charcuterie items to add a variety of flavors and textures to the meal.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheese Tortellini Soup
You can cook this soup on the stove in a Dutch oven or a heavy pot. Bring ingredients to a boil, then stir with a wooden spoon and let it simmer until done. You can also give it a try in the instant pot!
Never add the noodles to the hot soup too soon. The pasta will continue to cook in the soup’s hot broth, so you don’t want them cooking in there too long.
This soup makes delicious leftovers, but doesn’t freeze well. Soups with any kind of cream or milk base tend to separate with freezing and leads to a grainy texture. Instead, refrigerate leftovers and enjoy the soup within three to five days.
More Slow Cooker/Crock Pot Soups to Try
How to Make Creamy Tortellini Soup
Creamy Tortellini Soup
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage browned and drained
- 16 ounces cheese tortellini
- 5 ounces fresh spinach chopped
- 29 ounces Italian style diced tomatoes well drained
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened and cut into cubes
- 4 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in the slow cooker on low heat.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally if possible.
- Stir well and serve in individual bowls.
Notes
- Brown the Italian sausage in a medium pan on the stovetop, then drain and add to the soup.
- Don’t add the tortellini to the soup too soon or the noodles can become mushy.
- Avoid using non or low fat cream cheese. Neufchatel (⅓ fat of cream cheese) doesn’t melt as well and leaves little curds.
Nutrition Information
I haven’t tried it yet, but I know it will be tasty. I need to know when to put the tortellini
in so I don’t over cook it.
I have made this soup many times & add a container of Boursin Garlic & Herb cheese in addition to the regular cream cheese and add an extra can of tomatoes. I also use an immersion blender (prior to adding Tortellini) to create a creamy bisque to incorporate the ingredients. It’s always a hit at potlucks. I don’t put the Tortellini in until about 30 minutes before serving so they don’t get overcooked. This also freezes well.
Thank you!
Delicious! Easy to make.