Get ready to meet your new weeknight dinner hero: Creamy Crockpot Tortellini. This dish is everything you want in comfort food—rich, creamy, and loaded with cheesy tortellini, savory sausage, tender spinach, and a luscious tomato base. The best part? Your slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting, making this meal perfect for busy days when you crave something cozy without the fuss. Whether you’re cooking for your family or looking to impress friends at a casual dinner, Creamy Crockpot Tortellini delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Creamy Crockpot Tortellini lies in its simple, everyday ingredients that combine to create a meal bursting with flavor and texture. Each component brings something special to the table, from the hearty sausage to the fresh spinach and indulgent cream cheese.
- Refrigerated cheese tortellini (20 oz): These plump little pasta pockets cook up perfectly tender in the slow cooker, soaking up all that creamy sauce.
- Italian sausage (1 pound, mild or spicy): Adds hearty, savory flavor—choose spicy for a little extra kick, or mild for a classic take.
- Baby spinach (3 cups): Infuses color and a fresh, earthy note that balances out the richness of the dish.
- Crushed tomatoes (28 oz can): Forms the tangy, robust base for the creamy sauce.
- Cream cheese (8 oz block, cubed): Melts down to make the sauce irresistibly smooth and creamy—don’t skip it!
- Chicken broth (2 cups): Adds savory depth and ensures the sauce has the perfect consistency.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Brings a subtle warmth and familiar Italian flavor.
- Onion powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a mellow, savory backbone without needing to chop onions.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors—taste and adjust if needed.
- Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): A touch of pepper perks everything up.
- Italian seasoning (1/2 teaspoon): Ties everything together with classic herbs like oregano and basil.
How to Make Creamy Crockpot Tortellini
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Start by heating a skillet over medium heat and browning your Italian sausage. Break it up into crumbles as it cooks, making sure it’s fully cooked through and slightly caramelized. This step adds extra depth—those little browned bits pack tons of flavor! Drain off any excess fat so your sauce stays silky, not greasy.
Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Crockpot
Transfer the cooked sausage directly into your slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, cubed cream cheese, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Give everything a good stir to distribute the cream cheese cubes throughout—don’t worry if they don’t fully blend yet, they’ll melt down as it cooks.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the crockpot and set it to low. Let all those flavors mingle and develop for 3 to 4 hours. The cream cheese will slowly melt, creating a rich, velvety sauce, while the sausage and tomato base become beautifully fragrant.
Step 4: Add Tortellini and Spinach
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, stir in the cheese tortellini and baby spinach. The pasta will cook right in the sauce, and the spinach will wilt down, adding a gorgeous pop of green. If you’re using frozen tortellini, just give it an extra 15 minutes to cook through.
Step 5: Stir and Serve
Once the tortellini is perfectly tender and the spinach has wilted, give everything one last gentle stir. The sauce will be creamy and decadent, clinging to every piece of pasta. Ladle your Creamy Crockpot Tortellini into bowls and get ready to dig in!
How to Serve Creamy Crockpot Tortellini
Garnishes
A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese is pure magic here—just a little brings out the cheesy, savory notes in every bite. You can also add a handful of fresh basil or chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. If you’re feeling extra fancy, a drizzle of good olive oil or a crack of black pepper on top never hurts.
Side Dishes
Creamy Crockpot Tortellini is hearty enough to stand alone, but it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans for a lighter touch. Don’t forget a loaf of crusty bread or garlic knots to mop up every last bit of that creamy sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
Serving a crowd? Ladle the tortellini into a big serving dish and let everyone help themselves, family-style. For a cozy dinner, spoon it into individual bowls and top with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs. You can even serve it in hollowed-out bread bowls for a fun, rustic twist that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Creamy Crockpot Tortellini keeps well in the fridge for up to three days. Let it cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. The flavors deepen overnight, making the leftovers just as irresistible as the day you made it!
Freezing
This dish is freezer-friendly, though the tortellini may soften a bit upon thawing. Spoon any leftovers into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space for expansion. Freeze for up to two months, and label with the date so you can plan an easy future meal.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm leftovers gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave individual portions in short bursts, stirring between each, until heated through. If the sauce seems a bit thick, splash in a little extra chicken broth or water to loosen it up.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute with chicken or turkey sausage if you prefer something lighter, or even use a vegetarian sausage to make this dish meatless. Just be sure to brown it first for the best flavor.
What if I only have frozen tortellini?
No problem—frozen tortellini works perfectly. Just add it to the slow cooker about 45 minutes before serving instead of 30, so it has time to become tender and soak up the sauce.
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! Mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers all pair well with the creamy tomato sauce. Just chop and add them at the beginning with the sausage so they have time to soften.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Yes! Replace the sausage with a plant-based version and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You’ll still get all the creamy, comforting goodness of the original Creamy Crockpot Tortellini.
How can I make the sauce even creamier?
For extra richness, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a handful of shredded mozzarella or Parmesan just before serving. It’ll take that luscious, creamy factor over the top!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for that perfect crowd-pleasing, soul-warming meal, Creamy Crockpot Tortellini is the answer. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, it’s sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation. Give it a try and let this cozy classic bring a little extra joy to your table!
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Creamy Crockpot Tortellini Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Crockpot Tortellini is a comforting Italian-American slow cooker dish featuring tender cheese tortellini, savory Italian sausage, and a rich tomato and cream cheese sauce. Easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy meal, this recipe combines fresh spinach and flavorful seasonings to create a hearty and satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cups chicken broth
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage until fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the cooked sausage to the slow cooker along with crushed tomatoes, cubed cream cheese, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Add Tortellini and Spinach: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini and baby spinach. Cover again and cook on low until the tortellini is tender and the spinach is wilted, approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
- Final Stir and Serve: Gently stir the dish once more before serving to evenly distribute the ingredients and sauce. Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for added richness.
Notes
- For extra richness, stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese just before serving.
- Frozen tortellini can be used but increase the cook time by an additional 15 minutes after adding it to the slow cooker.
- Drain excess fat from sausage after cooking to reduce greasiness.
- This dish pairs well with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
