If you’re looking for a downright cozy dinner that feels like a big, warm hug, you need to try Creamy Crockpot Tortellini. This all-in-one comfort classic features pillowy cheese tortellini, savory sausage, tender spinach, and a luscious, dreamy sauce enriched with Parmesan. What’s truly wonderful is how the slow cooker does the heavy lifting, blending all those incredible Italian-inspired flavors together while you get on with your day. It’s the ultimate fuss-free dish that still feels special enough for a weekend gathering or a hearty family meal on a busy weeknight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things simple, but each ingredient shines in its own way, creating layers of flavor and texture in your Creamy Crockpot Tortellini. Let’s take a closer look at what makes each item essential:
- Refrigerated cheese tortellini: These are the star of the show, delivering tender, cheesy bites that soak up all the sauce.
- Italian sausage (mild or hot): Adds a big punch of flavor—choose hot for a bit of spice, or mild for a family-friendly touch.
- Diced tomatoes (undrained): The juices bring tang and depth to the sauce, balancing the creaminess beautifully.
- Baby spinach: Wilts into the sauce, adding color, nutrients, and a pop of freshness.
- Chicken broth: Forms the savory backbone of the sauce, bringing all the ingredients together.
- Heavy cream: Provides that irresistible silkiness and richness you crave in a creamy sauce.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Stirred in at the end, it adds nutty, salty notes that finish the dish perfectly.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the sauce with subtle garlicky warmth without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Italian seasoning: Brings those classic herb flavors you expect in an Italian-American favorite.
- Salt: Enhances every flavor, so don’t skip it!
- Black pepper: Just a touch ties everything together with gentle spice.
How to Make Creamy Crockpot Tortellini
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Start things off by browning your sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break it into crumbles as it cooks. This bit of effort upfront gives your Creamy Crockpot Tortellini a deeper, richer flavor, plus all those tasty browned bits. Once the sausage is fully cooked and no longer pink, drain off the excess grease so your finished dish isn’t too heavy.
Step 2: Layer It in the Crockpot
Transfer your cooked sausage straight into the crockpot. Top it with the undrained diced tomatoes, adding all those savory juices. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, then pour in the chicken broth. Give everything a quick stir to combine, letting the flavors start to meld even before the slow cooker works its magic.
Step 3: Let It Slow Cook
Place the lid on your slow cooker and set it to low. Now, you can sit back for 3 to 4 hours while the base for your Creamy Crockpot Tortellini simmers and develops incredible flavor. This hands-off step is what makes crockpot cooking so rewarding—your kitchen will start to smell amazing long before dinner time!
Step 4: Add Tortellini, Cream, and Spinach
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to eat, stir in the refrigerated tortellini, heavy cream, and fresh baby spinach. Switch your slow cooker to high, then pop the lid back on. Let everything cook for 20 to 30 minutes, just until the tortellini are plump and tender and the spinach has wilted seamlessly into the sauce.
Step 5: Finish with Parmesan
Right before serving, add a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. This final touch melts into the sauce, making it even creamier and giving Creamy Crockpot Tortellini that signature cheesy finish. Give everything a good stir, then get ready to dive in!
How to Serve Creamy Crockpot Tortellini
Garnishes
A flourish of fresh basil or parsley on top instantly makes the bowl pop and adds a touch of bright, herby flavor. You can also add an extra shower of freshly grated Parmesan and a crack of black pepper for even more flavor and a touch of elegance.
Side Dishes
Creamy Crockpot Tortellini is hearty enough to stand alone, but it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed in a zesty vinaigrette. A loaf of warm, crusty bread or garlic knots also makes the perfect partner, especially for sopping up any leftover sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your creamy tortellini in small bowls alongside an antipasto platter for a dinner party, or spoon it into oven-safe dishes, top with extra Parmesan, and pop under the broiler for a few minutes for a bubbly, golden crust. Leftover portions also make a fantastic lunch the next day!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Creamy Crockpot Tortellini in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken a bit in the fridge, but the flavors continue to develop, making leftovers just as delicious.
Freezing
If you want to freeze this dish, let it cool completely first. Transfer portions into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Keep in mind that cream-based sauces can sometimes change texture after freezing, but a gentle reheat usually brings it back together.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the tortellini gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often and adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave individual servings in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until hot.
FAQs
Can I use frozen tortellini for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just toss the frozen tortellini in during the same step as the refrigerated kind and extend the cook time by 10 to 15 minutes, checking for perfect tenderness before serving.
What type Main Course
Either mild or hot Italian sausage works wonderfully, so choose based on your spice preference. You could even use turkey sausage for a lighter spin, and plant-based sausage as a vegetarian option.
Is there a lighter substitute for heavy cream?
For a slightly lighter version, swap in half-and-half or even evaporated milk. Your sauce will be a bit less rich, but still perfectly creamy and delicious!
What else can I add to customize this dish?
Feel free to stir in mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or even a handful of roasted red peppers for extra color and flavor. This recipe really welcomes your creativity.
Will the spinach become too mushy if cooked in the slow cooker?
Nope! Baby spinach wilts down quickly and becomes tender, but still brings nice texture and color, especially since it’s added near the end of cooking.
Final Thoughts
If you need a surefire crowd-pleaser that’s easy on effort and big on flavor, Creamy Crockpot Tortellini truly fits the bill. It brings the best comfort food vibes, tastes even better as leftovers, and is so simple you’ll want to add it to your regular rotation. Go ahead, give this one a try—you’ll be amazed how little work leads to such a satisfying meal!
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Creamy Crockpot Tortellini Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Creamy Crockpot Tortellini is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. With cheese tortellini, savory Italian sausage, and a creamy sauce, this slow cooker recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Cheese Tortellini:
- 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
Italian Sausage:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot, casing removed)
Diced Tomatoes:
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
Baby Spinach:
- 3 cups baby spinach
Chicken Broth:
- 2 cups chicken broth
Heavy Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
Parmesan Cheese:
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Italian Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into crumbles. Drain excess grease. Transfer the sausage to a crockpot.
- Combine Ingredients: Add diced tomatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chicken broth to the crockpot. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
- Add Tortellini and Spinach: Stir in the tortellini, heavy cream, and spinach. Cover again and cook on high for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and heated through.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in Parmesan cheese just before serving.
Notes
- You can use frozen tortellini—just increase the final cook time slightly.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use turkey sausage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
