Description
This creamy crockpot tortellini recipe is a comforting Italian-American dish featuring tender cheese tortellini cooked slowly with savory Italian sausage, a rich tomato and cream cheese sauce, and fresh spinach. Perfect for busy days, it combines minimal prep with hearty flavors, delivering a creamy, satisfying meal topped with Parmesan and basil.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 20 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casing removed)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed to prevent excess greasiness.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic is fragrant.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Move the sausage, onion, and garlic mixture into the slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, cubed cream cheese, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook Sauce: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the cream cheese to melt fully and the sauce to become creamy and flavorful.
- Add Tortellini and Spinach: In the last 30 to 40 minutes of cooking, stir in the refrigerated tortellini and baby spinach. Continue cooking until the tortellini is tender and the spinach has wilted.
- Finish with Cream: Stir in the heavy cream, then cook uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to heat through and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy tortellini into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute meat tortellini or use ground turkey or plant-based sausage as alternatives.
- For a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly or stir in extra Parmesan cheese at the end of cooking.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste preference before serving.
