Slow Cooker Sausage and Cheese Tortellini

Sausage Tortellini Crockpot Dinner

Tender cheese tortellini, crumbled sausage, juicy tomatoes, and spinach simmer together in a rich, creamy sauce for the easiest cozy slow cooker meal. This is true dump-and-go comfort food the whole family will ask for again.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours 15 minutes (on LOW)
Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean turkey sausage (or Italian sausage)
• 1 bag (19 oz) frozen cheese tortellini
• 3 cups baby spinach leaves
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes, drained
• 3½ cups chicken broth
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brown the sausage
   • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the turkey sausage, breaking it into small crumbles with a spatula.
   • Cook until browned and no longer pink, then drain off any excess grease.
   • Tip: For extra flavor, you can sauté a little chopped onion and minced garlic with the sausage.
2. Layer ingredients in the slow cooker
   • Grease the inside of a large 7-quart slow cooker.
   • Add the frozen cheese tortellini to the bottom in an even layer.
   • Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the tortellini.
3. Add vegetables and seasonings
   • Pour in the baby spinach, drained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
   • Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
   • Gently stir just enough to distribute the spinach and seasonings without disturbing the tortellini too much.
4. Add the cream cheese
   • Scatter the cubed cream cheese evenly over the top.
   • Do not stir at this point; keeping the cream cheese on top helps it melt gently into the sauce without curdling.
5. Slow cook
   • Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for up to 5 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the tortellini is tender and heated through.
   • Do not stir for the first 2 hours. After that, you can gently stir once or twice during cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom and to help incorporate the cream cheese.
6. Finish with mozzarella
   • Once the tortellini is cooked and the sauce is creamy, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
   • Turn off the heat, leave the lid off, and let it stand for about 15–20 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken slightly.
7. Serve
   • Serve warm straight from the slow cooker. This dish pairs nicely with a simple green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.

Pro Tips

• Watch the tortellini doneness: Frozen cheese tortellini can turn mushy if overcooked. If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking at the low end of the time range.
• Change up the sausage: Swap turkey sausage for mild or spicy Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or even ground beef if you prefer.
• Extra flavor boosters: Stir in minced garlic and onion while browning the sausage, or use fire-roasted diced tomatoes or Rotel for more depth and a little heat.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth or milk if needed to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition Info

Approximate per serving (1 of 6):

Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your specific ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist or dietitian for precise dietary advice.

Sausage Tortellini Crockpot Dinner

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• Author: carlosramirez
• Total Time: 330 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Diet: Paleo

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Description

Tender cheese tortellini, crumbled sausage, juicy tomatoes, and spinach simmer together in a rich, creamy sauce for a cozy slow cooker meal.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb lean turkey sausage (or Italian sausage)
• 1 bag (19 oz) frozen cheese tortellini
• 3 cups baby spinach leaves
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes, drained
• 3½ cups chicken broth
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)

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Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the turkey sausage, breaking it into small crumbles with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
2. Grease the inside of a large 7-quart slow cooker. Add the frozen cheese tortellini to the bottom in an even layer, then spread the cooked sausage evenly over the tortellini.
3. Pour in the baby spinach, drained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Gently stir just enough to distribute the spinach and seasonings without disturbing the tortellini too much.
4. Scatter the cubed cream cheese evenly over the top without stirring.
5. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for up to 5 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the tortellini is tender. Do not stir for the first 2 hours.
6. Once cooked, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top. Turn off the heat, leave the lid off, and let it stand for about 15–20 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken slightly.
7. Serve warm straight from the slow cooker.

Notes

Watch the tortellini doneness to prevent mushiness. You can change up the sausage and add extra flavor boosters like garlic or onion.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 315 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian