This cozy crockpot sausage tortellini soup is the ideal comfort bowl for chilly evenings. Prep is simple — brown the meat, then dump and stir — and it fills you up like a full meal. Serve with crusty bread for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Adding tortellini turns a soup into a satisfying one-pot meal, and this version uses Italian sausage for extra heartiness. It’s similar in spirit to other favorite tortellini soups but with a rich, savory base that stands on its own.
If you enjoy slow-cooker comfort food, try other cozy crockpot recipes for variety — hearty classics make weeknight cooking straightforward and delicious.
Why We Love This Crockpot Sausage Tortellini Soup
I made this for my family last fall and it quickly became a request. It’s cozy, filling, and very easy to prepare.
This crockpot sausage tortellini soup:
- is hearty without feeling heavy
- is flexible — swap ingredients to suit your pantry
- makes a reliable weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy
- includes vegetables, protein and pasta in one bowl
- requires minimal hands-on time after browning the meat
I can’t wait to hear how you like it — this one tends to become a fast favorite.
Ingredient Notes
- Cheese tortellini is recommended for the best texture and flavor, though other refrigerated tortellini will work. Frozen tortellini may need a different cook time.
- Choose your preferred Italian sausage: mild, sweet, or spicy. You can also use turkey sausage if you prefer a leaner option.
- Pick a marinara you enjoy — it makes a difference in the final flavor.
- Using both crushed and diced tomatoes gives the broth more body and texture for a rich, hearty base.
Ways To Vary This Recipe
- Add more fresh herbs: stir in oregano, thyme, or extra basil for brighter flavor.
- Omit the cream for a thinner broth: leaving out the cream (and optionally the parmesan) yields a lighter soup.
- Swap or add vegetables: bell peppers, kale, or other sturdy greens work well in place of or alongside spinach.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat olive oil over medium-high. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent and fragrant. Add Italian sausage and break into pieces.
Step 2: Brown the sausage thoroughly and drain excess grease to avoid an oily soup.
Step 3: Place chopped carrots and celery in the bottom of the crockpot.
Step 4: Add the browned sausage and onions on top of the vegetables.
Step 5: Pour in crushed and diced tomatoes, marinara, and chicken broth (start with 4 cups; add more later if you want a thinner soup). Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper if using.
Step 6: Cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours to meld flavors.
Step 7: 20–30 minutes before serving, switch to high if needed and stir in spinach, heavy cream, parmesan, and refrigerated cheese tortellini. Cook until tortellini is al dente, about 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 8: When tortellini is ready, shift the crockpot to warm or remove the insert to prevent overcooking. Top servings with fresh basil and extra parmesan.
Recipe Tips
Don’t overcook the tortellini. Add it near the end and turn off the heat or remove the insert once it reaches al dente. If you plan to serve leftovers, take the insert off the hot crockpot base to cool slightly so the tortellini doesn’t continue to soften.
Adjust thickness to taste. To thicken, stir in more parmesan, a spoonful of tomato paste, or a bit of cream cheese. To thin, add broth in 1/2 cup increments until you reach the desired consistency.
Drain excess grease after browning the sausage so the finished soup isn’t greasy. A little fat adds flavor, but too much will weigh it down.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Tortellini holds its best texture for about 1–2 days.
To freeze, omit the tortellini and freeze the soup base once cooled. Reheat and add fresh tortellini when ready to serve for the best texture.
More Crockpot Soup Recipes
Slow Cooker
Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Soups & Chilis
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili
Soups & Chilis
Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili
Soups & Chilis
Tomato Tortellini Soup
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Crockpot Sausage Tortellini Soup
Equipment
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Crockpot (6 quart)
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 1½ cup marinara sauce
- 4-5 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2-3 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp each salt and pepper, more to taste
- ¼-½ tsp crushed pepper
- 20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 large handfuls spinach
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓-½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
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Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and add the onion and garlic. Sauté until the onions start to become translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Add the Italian sausage and break into chunks. Cook to brown the Italian sausage. Drain any excess grease.
-
Add the chopped carrots and celery to the bottom of the crock pot. Cover with the sausage and onions. Add the tomatoes, marinara, broth (start with 4 cups and add more if you want a thinner soup) and seasonings; stir to combine.
-
Slow cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours. About 20–30 minutes before serving, set the crockpot to high if needed and add the spinach, cream, parmesan and tortellini. Heat until tortellini is al dente, stirring occasionally (about 15–20 minutes). Shift heat to warm or remove from heat when tortellini is ready to avoid overcooking. Top with fresh basil and serve with extra parmesan.
Notes
Don’t overcook the tortellini. Add it near the end and remove from heat once al dente to prevent mushy pasta. For next-day serving, remove the insert from the crockpot to cool faster and keep the tortellini from softening further.
To adjust thickness: thicken with extra parmesan, tomato paste, or a bit of cream cheese; thin with additional broth, 1/2 cup at a time.
Drain excess sausage grease after browning to avoid an overly oily soup. A small amount of fat adds depth, but too much will weigh it down.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question?Leave a comment below!
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