Description

This Crockpot Creamy Tortellini recipe delivers a comforting, cheesy meal perfect for busy days. Combining tender cheese tortellini with savory Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a creamy Parmesan-enriched broth, this slow-cooked dish offers a rich and hearty flavor profile with minimal hands-on time. Simply brown the sausage, assemble in the crockpot, and let it cook slowly to meld the flavors into a delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

20 oz cheese tortellini (refrigerated or frozen)
1 lb Italian sausage (optional)
2 cups spinach, fresh or frozen

Liquid and Dairy

4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Seasonings

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Brown the Sausage: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the Italian sausage until it is fully browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set the sausage aside.
Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: In the crockpot, pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Add the browned Italian sausage and the spinach to the mixture and stir to combine.
Slow Cook Mixture: Cover the crockpot with its lid and set to cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the spinach to wilt perfectly into the creamy broth.
Add Tortellini and Cheese: After the slow cooking phase, stir in the cheese tortellini and shredded mozzarella cheese. Increase the crockpot heat to high and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and the mozzarella has melted completely.
Serve Warm: Once cooked, stir the dish gently and serve warm. Optionally, garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Notes

You can omit the Italian sausage for a vegetarian version; consider adding mushrooms or more spinach instead.
Use frozen tortellini straight from the freezer without thawing to prevent sticking.
If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more chicken broth to reach desired consistency.
Fresh spinach may be added instead of frozen, but ensure it wilts fully during cooking.
This recipe can be doubled to serve a larger crowd; ensure your crockpot is large enough.