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The best comfort food for busy cold nights? Try this hearty crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese, Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, and spinach.
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Do you ever find yourself wanting pasta but also in the mood for a warm soup?
Deciding what to make between the two is a foodie nightmare! Fortunately, pasta soups exist. So yes, we can enjoy the best of both worlds in one meal.
If you’re looking for a creamy and hearty option, you’ve come to the right place. This crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese is so irresistible one bowl is not enough.
What Is Crockpot Tortellini Soup?
Crockpot tortellini soup is the ideal comfort food for chilly weather! As its name suggests, it’s prepared using a slow cooker or crockpot, with tortellini pasta as its main ingredient.
Tortellini is a ring-shaped pasta traditionally stuffed with fillings like cheese, meats, and veggies.
The pasta pieces are folded and twisted around the filling to create their remarkable navel-like shape.
Common cheese fillings include ricotta, parmesan, or a blend of different cheeses. Meat-filled ones are also popular.
Tortellini dishes are already so flavorful on their own because of the pasta filling. So what more if you include them in a soup with other ingredients like sausages, chicken broth, and spinach?
And what if you add cream cheese to the mix? The result is one satisfying meal – great for lunch or dinner!
You’ll love making this crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese! It’s just as delicious and comforting as our stove top lasagna soup! 😍
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and easy: You won’t have a hard time making this crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese! Just toss everything in, but you still need to be careful. Overcooking or undercooking is still possible. What’s important here is having a straightforward recipe that makes everything a breeze.
- Make it your own: If you don’t have beef or chicken broth, vegetable broth works just as well. You can also add fresh mushrooms or ground beef to make it even heartier. Use our recipe as a guide, but never limit yourself when it comes to ingredients!
- Shareable: This hearty soup is easily shareable and can be served in one bowl at parties. But that doesn’t mean it lacks visual appeal. Just look at how vibrant it looks, thanks to the tomatoes. At the end of the day, you’ll have fewer dishes and utensils to wash since most of the cooking happens in one pot.
What Does Crockpot Tortellini Soup With Cream Cheese Taste Like?
This crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese is creamy and savory, with a bit of tang and smokiness. It’s not too salty or spicy, just warm and full of aroma.
The cream cheese makes the soup velvety, and the sausage adds a satisfying meaty flavor. Fire-roasted tomatoes, meanwhile, add a delectable smoky sweetness.
This recipe only requires a bit of Italian seasoning, but don’t skip this one, or else it will lack the distinct blend of herbal notes.
As for parmesan cheese, it gives a nutty finish that amps up the soup’s savory taste.
Keep in mind that the soup’s flavor might change depending on your choice of tortellini. Some have spinach, beef, or cheese fillings.
Whatever you choose, I’m sure your dish will taste amazing.
Tortellini Crockpot Soup with Cream Cheese Ingredients
- Frozen tortellini – Frozen ones only need to be heated in the soup, saving you cooking time. They can also be stored in the freezer for a longer time.
- Low-sodium chicken broth – Less salt but definitely not low in flavor. Use this to have better control over the soup’s overall saltiness.
- Ground sausage – Depending on the type of sausage used, it can add mild spiciness or sweetness to the soup.
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes – Fire-roasted canned tomatoes offer an irresistible smoky undertone, something you don’t get from regular ones.
- Cream cheese – The not-so-secret ingredient for a velvety texture. Watch it blend with the broth and tomatoes, and you’ll realize even more that cream cheese isn’t just for desserts.
- Garlic – A must-have for a richer, savory flavor and mouthwatering aroma.
- Yellow onion – They are known to be sweeter than other onions and, thus, perfect for this soup! Their aroma complements the sausage and broth perfectly.
- Fresh spinach – I guess everyone would agree soups with greens are more appetizing! They add color and texture without overwhelming the meal.
- Italian seasoning – This ingredient brings a captivating Italian touch to this dish. It’s warm and earthy with a little bitterness.
- Grated parmesan cheese – Sprinkle as little or as much as you like for extra cheesy goodness and nutty finish.
- Salt – A bit of salt can enhance the other flavors in your crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese.
- Pepper – To balance the richness of the creamy ingredients.
Tools Needed To Prepare Easy Tortellini Soup with Cream Cheese
- Crockpot to make a creamy soup without much fuss
- Wooden spatula for combining flavors
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Spinach Tortellini Soup with Cream Cheese
Red Pepper Flakes
Red pepper flakes will make your cheese tortellini soup spicier and more flavorful. They also add color to the dish, making it look nicer.
Start with a small amount, about ¼ teaspoon, then add more if you like.
Beef Broth
Use beef broth instead of chicken broth if you’re after a deeper, meatier flavor. The soup texture won’t be significantly affected by this change.
It will remain delicious, just with a stronger flavor. And, of course, you can still choose between a low-sodium option or a regular one.
Spaghetti Sauce
Thinking about using spaghetti sauce instead of diced tomatoes? Spaghetti sauce is smoother, so your soup will be similar to creamy tomato soup in consistency.
Also, keep in mind that spaghetti sauce usually has its own seasonings. You might want to use less salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to keep the flavors balanced.
Fresh Basil Leaves
Fresh basil has an aroma that dried herbs just can’t match! It will give your crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese a unique peppery flavor.
Add a few basil leaves to the soup 5 to 10 minutes before it’s done, or sprinkle them on top right before serving.
How to Make Crockpot Tortellini Soup With Cream Cheese
Ingredients:
- 16 ounces frozen tortellini
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 pound ground sausage, browned and drained
- 2 14.5-ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ medium yellow onion, diced
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Tools you need:
Instructions:
STEP 1: Gather all the ingredients for your crockpot tortellini soup.
STEP 2: Place the sausage, minced garlic, diced onion, and tomatoes into the crockpot.
STEP 3: Next, add the chicken broth, cream cheese, and Italian seasoning.
STEP 4: Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, stirring occasionally to blend in the cream cheese.
STEP 5: Add the spinach and tortellini 30 minutes before the cooking time is up.
STEP 6: Season with salt and pepper.
STEP 7: Serve hot with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese on top.
What To Serve With Sausage Tortellini Soup with Cream Cheese
- Bread: Crispy garlic bread is a classic choice. Or try our homemade pumpkin-shaped bread – it’s simple and has no particular flavor. The soup’s flavors will really stand out. French baguette is also a great option. It looks plain yet pairs well with your flavorful crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese.
- Green salad: Our copycat Sweetgreen harvest bowl has honey, apples, and pumpkin, so it goes well with the savory flavors of this comforting soup. It also features feta cheese and kale, which match the tortellini soup’s spinach and cream cheese.
- Veggie sides: If you’re not in the mood for a salad, go for bite-sized vegetable sides. Our chicken lettuce wraps might look light and small, but they’re surprisingly filling. They make a satisfying meal, especially when paired with a hot soup.
Tips About Making Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Cream Cheese
- Browning the sausage: This step improves the sausage’s flavor and texture. First, remove the sausage from the casings. Cook it over medium heat and break it into crumbles. The sausage is ready when it’s evenly browned and no longer pink.
- Sauté the onions and garlic: This is optional, but you can sauté them in oil or butter before adding them to the crockpot. This will give your crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese some extra flavor. It won’t take too much time, just around five minutes.
- Taste test: Try the soup before serving, and add salt and pepper if it needs more flavor. The same thing goes when it comes to adding the optional red pepper flakes. Remember, it’s always easier to add more seasoning than to correct an overly salty dish later.
How To Store Crockpot Tortellini with Spinach and Cream Cheese
- Fridge: You can store crockpot spinach tortellini soup with cream cheese in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. But let it cool first! If you have a lot, split it into smaller portions in airtight containers for easier reheating.
- Freezer: You can freeze your soup for up to 3 months. Use freezer bags, and leave some space at the top because liquids expand when frozen. Lay them flat when you freeze them and then stack them up.
- Thawing: Thaw your crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese overnight in the fridge for best results. If you’re in a rush, you can use the microwave’s defrost setting to thaw it quickly.
- Reheating: You have two options – the stove or microwave. On the stove, simply heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it’s hot. If you’d rather use the microwave, heat it in short intervals. Pause the microwave every minute, open the door, and give the soup a gentle stir.
How Do You Thicken Tortellini Soup?
Here are two of the most popular methods of thickening crockpot tortellini soups!
You can mix a little flour or cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, then slowly stir it into the soup.
This method thickens the soup without changing its taste or color. Just make sure to add the slurry slowly and stir well to avoid lumps.
Another way is to add some heavy cream or more cream cheese. Add them gradually and stir well to make your soup smoother and thicker.
Why Is Cream Cheese Not Melting Into the Soup?
If the cream cheese is not melting, it might be because the soup isn’t hot enough, the cream cheese was too cold when added, or it wasn’t stirred enough.
This is probably one of the trickiest parts of preparing crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese! But there are ways to avoid it.
First, make sure that the cream cheese is at room temperature to help it melt more easily.
Let the cream cheese soften before adding. Cutting it into smaller pieces can also help it melt better.
Then, once everything is in the crockpot, stir from time to time to avoid lumps.
Just be patient and let the cream cheese slowly blend into the soup as it cooks to get that creamy texture.
FAQ About Crockpot Tortellini Soup With Cream Cheese
How long to cook tortellini in a crock pot?
When added to soup, tortellini should cook in a crockpot for 30 minutes.
Can you cook frozen tortellini in a crock pot?
Yes, you can cook frozen tortellini in a crockpot.
Can I make tortellini soup on the stovetop?
Absolutely. Just cook your ingredients in a pot, add broth, and let it simmer for around 20 minutes. Then, add the tortellini near the end and cook until they’re soft.
Can I use canned or frozen spinach?
Yes, both frozen and canned spinach work well in this crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese recipe.
How do I keep the tortellini pasta from becoming mushy?
To keep the tortellini from getting mushy, add them to the soup during the final 30 minutes of cooking.
Crockpot Tortellini Soup With Cream Cheese
The best comfort food for busy cold nights? Try this hearty crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese, Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, and spinach.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen tortellini
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 pound ground sausage, browned and drained
- 2 14.5-ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ medium yellow onion, diced
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients for your crockpot tortellini soup.
- Place the sausage, minced garlic, diced onion, and tomatoes into the crockpot.
- Next, add the chicken broth, cream cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, stirring occasionally to blend in the cream cheese.
- Add the spinach and tortellini 30 minutes before the recommended cooking time is up.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- If the soup is too thick, add more chicken broth to get the consistency you like. On the other hand, if it's too thin, let it simmer longer to reduce and thicken.
- Here's another tip about browning your sausage! Drain any excess grease once the sausage is fully cooked. Simply tilt the skillet and use a spoon to remove the excess fat. This way, your soup stays delicious without becoming overly greasy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1080Total Fat: 69gSaturated Fat: 30gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 196mgSodium: 2408mgCarbohydrates: 72gFiber: 6gSugar: 8gProtein: 47g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
Conclusion
I really love pasta soups and could eat them every day, but it’s important to keep things in moderation. 😅 So maybe every week?!
If you haven’t tried crockpot tortellini soup with cream cheese yet, this recipe is your sign to order all the ingredients needed and make it.
My tip is to try different tortellini pasta variations, not just those loaded with cheeses.
You don’t need to host a party to enjoy delicious soups. Even if you’re enjoying some alone time right now, no one’s stopping you from making these recipes: