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This Crockpot tortellini soup with sausage is a comforting and easy to prepare slow cooker soup! It has Italian sausage, tomatoes, cheese tortellini, a splash of cream, and spinach.
You may also enjoy my Italian Sausage Orzo Soup or this Easy Zuppa Toscana next.
Why you’ll love it
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I’m a big fan of pasta and Italian sausage in soup like in my Lasagna Soup. It’s just such an undeniably tasty combo! In this slow cooker tortellini soup we’ve also got plenty of spinach in a rich tomato broth.
This cozy tortellini soup with sausage is the perfect meal to come home to. Get everything ready in the morning, and then pop the tortellini in while you’re unwinding after work. It’s really easy to make, and this soup will quickly become a family favorite.
What you’ll need
- Italian sausage – I chose mild. You can buy bulk meat, or take the sausage out of the casings.
- Onion, garlic, celery, and carrots – the aromatic foundation for many tasty soups. I like to use sweet (Vidalia) onions.
- Canned tomatoes – we’re using both crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes
- Chicken broth – for more savory flavor
- Tortellini – tortellini package sizes vary, so use anything around the amount I suggest. I use the refrigerated kind.
- Heavy cream – a touch of cream really enhances the texture and taste
- Spinach – for a pop of freshness and contrast
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- This is my 7-quart Crockpot slow cooker model.
- Here’s my favorite skillet for the sautéing step.
- My trusty can opener works great for the tomatoes, and this garlic press making mincing garlic effortless.
How to make slow cooker tortellini soup with sausage
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
In a skillet add the sausage and onions, and sauté until the meat is browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Discard any excess fat. Stir in the garlic until fragrant. Transfer the skillet contents to your Crockpot, and add in the celery, carrots, tomatoes, and broth.
Cook on low or high depending on your preference. When it’s about half an hour from being done, add in the tortellini, cream, and spinach. Stir occasionally. Season with salt & pepper as needed.
Pro tip
If you really need to, you could skip the step where you sauté the sausage and onion (I have tested similar recipes where I’ve just thrown raw sausage into the slow cooker), but I do recommend that step if possible because it imparts more flavor into this dish. You can also drain some of the fat if needed.
Substitutions and variations
- I made this a creamy tortellini soup, but, with that said, you can leave the cream out, and it’ll still taste delicious. I don’t recommend subbing for something with a lower fat content like half-and-half because it could curdle, though.
- Use spicy Italian sausage if you want a little heat to this soup, or add in crushed red pepper flakes.
- Want to make it on the stovetop? Try my similar Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup.
What to serve with this soup
- This Crockpot Italian sausage tortellini soup is delicious served with fresh parmesan grated over top!
- I love to pair it with a big Caesar salad with my 10-Minute Caesar Dressing and Garlic Croutons. Spring mix with my Creamy Pesto Dressing works too.
- Round out the meal with a slice of fresh crusty bread or my Cheesy Garlic Bread.
Leftovers and storage
- Store leftovers of this creamy tortellini soup for 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Keep in mind that the pasta will soak up the soup the longer you leave it, so if you are reheating leftovers, you may need to add more chicken broth if needed.
- If you want to make this soup ahead (or freeze it), I suggest waiting to add the tortellini, cream, and spinach until you’re ready to eat it.
Hope you’ll love this tortellini soup with Italian sausage! Questions? Don’t hesitate to ask. Please leave a star rating and review below if you made it, or tag me on Instagram.
Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Italian sausage see note
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 medium carrots sliced or chopped
- 2 sticks celery chopped finely
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream optional
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the sausage meat and onions to a skillet. Sauté for about 7-8 minutes, breaking the sausage meat up with your spoon, until browned. If needed, spoon out some of the excess fat.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the sausage mixture to your Crockpot.
- Add the carrots, celery, canned tomatoes, and chicken broth to the Crockpot. Keep in mind that if you want the soup to cook in 3-4 hours, the carrots will have to be chopped pretty finely. If you're cooking it for 7-8 on low or 4-5 hours on high, you can chop them larger.
- About 30 minutes prior to serving, add in your cheese tortellini, cream, and spinach (I set the heat to "high"). Give it a stir occasionally. Season with salt & pepper as needed prior to serving.
Notes
- Use ground sausage meat or whole sausages (take the sausage meat out of the casings). Feel free to use spicy sausage!
- The leftovers of this soup do soak up the broth a lot, so this soup is best eaten when it’s fresh. I suggest adding more chicken broth to leftovers if you need to. Or, add the tortellini in when reheating if you plan on having lots of leftovers.
- This is the 7-quart Crockpot I used to make this recipe. My Crockpot was pretty full by the time I added the tortellini.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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As soon as I saw this on IG I knew I was going to make it! I made it for dinner tonight and my husband and I both loved it! Can’t wait for leftovers! This will be part of the regular rotation this winter for sure!
I’m SO pleased to hear that!! Thanks for following along. 🙂
I have another recipe that calls for fennel in it. Do you use???
Hmm… you could try doing a search for my blog (use the search bar) to see what other recipes I have with fennel. I don’t use it too often, though!
Girlfriend! This was so dang delicious! My husband and kiddos (ages 15 & 20) couldn’t stop raving about how good it was. A couple of things I did differently: I used my 6.5 quart pot instead of a crockpot. i used hot Italian sausage and cooked everything for about 1.5 hrs. before I added the cream, spinach and tortellini. Instead of the fresh refrigerated tortellini, I used the Barilla Collezione Selection Artisanal three cheese tortellini. OMG, this is a winner!!
I am so happy to heat that, Bobbie!! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Is there anyway this recipe can be amended if I don’t have a crockpot or an instant pot/pressure cooker ??
Hi! Yes, but I haven’t tested it. I’d follow a similar process, but obviously cook it for way less time. Like add the cream, spinach, tortellini etc. in around the last 10 minutes or so maybe? I also have a similar recipe for the stovetop that you could use either instead or as a guide: https://www.saltandlavender.com/italian-sausage-tortellini-soup/
Can you use half-in-half instead if heavy cream?
That should be fine for this recipe.
Do you think it would still be good with our celery and carrots ? Thanks!
I think it would still be good without those, yes.
If I don’t have the crushed tomatoes, what would you recommend? Putting in less chicken broth to even it out? Thank you!!
Yes, but do you have any other type of canned tomatoes? It definitely makes a difference to the taste of the soup.
I do not have heavy cream do you think I could use sour cream or evaperated milk? We like spice so I have added chilli peppers.
Hmmm.. Sour cream will give it a tangy flavor, but why not! I can’t say I’ve tried evaporated milk in soups before, but if you have, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be ok in a pinch!
Natasha,
Thank you so much for this DELICIOUS recipe. My husband and I loved it. I served it with a crisp green salad and olive bread with EVOO. What a hit! I will be making this one again.
MJ
You are very welcome!! I am so happy you liked it. Sounds like a delicious meal.
Hi there! Could this work in the Instant Pot?
Hi Emma! I think so. I’d just add the tortellini, spinach, and cream after you release the pressure. Maybe sauté the ingredients as instructed (but do it in the IP), then cook on high pressure for 8 minutes, do a quick release, and then take the lid off, press the “sauté” button, and add the remaining ingredients for like 5 min or so. Let me know how it goes!
Yummm I made this recipe tonight and it was delicious! I adapted it for the Instant Pot, following your suggestions. Sautéed the sausage with onion (in the IP), then added garlic. Added the tomatoes, veggies, and broth. Turned the IP to high pressure for 8 mins, then did a quick release. Switched back to sauté mode, then added pasta, plenty of spinach, and cream. It took maybe 5 minutes until the tortellini floated to the top and everything was good to go!
Wonderful! So glad it worked out. ❤️
I love hearty, slow cooker soup recipes like this for fall Natasha! My husband Tom will LOVE it!
Thanks so much, Mary Ann! 🙂