Creamy Cheesy Tortellini Soup

Creamy Cheesy Tortellini Soup is an easy, kid-friendly meal. It is so simple to make. You can set it and forget it in the crockpot, or you can make it all in one pan and have it for supper. Whatever fits in your schedule.  

Leftovers

Once the soup sets in the refrigerator for a day, the flavors actually melt together, and it even tastes better the second day. I always make enough to have it for leftovers in the week.

Growing up in a small town, my mom cooked a lot of meals for our family. It was nice to come home to a prepared meal in the middle of the school day. One thing that I learned from my mom and grandma; was to use what you have. “Back to the basics” Over the last couple of months, I have leaned on my experiences and knowledge that I gained from watching my grandma and mom in the kitchen. I needed this time to clean out the clutter of my life and get back to the basics of life.

Note: For this recipe, I used a Sweet Italian Sausage mainly because it is one of my husband’s favorite. I also added in a few vegetables but don’t tell my family!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

(full amounts in the downloadable recipe below)

• Sweet Italian Sausage
• Chopped onions, carrots, and spinach
• Chicken Broth
• Water
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Diced Tomatoes
• Cream Cheese (secret ingredient #1)
• Italian Seasoning
• Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning
• Tortellini

HOW DO YOU MAKE THE CREAMY CHEESY TORTELLINI SOUP?

1. Brown the Sweet Italian Sausage and add in the chopped onions and carrots. Drain!

2. After the Sweet Italian Sausage mixture is browned and drained, add the mixture to the crockpot. (If you are making this in one pan, then just keep it in the pan and add the rest of the ingredients.)

3. Add the spaghetti sauce, water, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and seasonings to the Sweet Italian Sausage mixture. **Cook on high for 3 to 3 ½ hours in the crockpot. (total cooking time for this is 4 hours) **If you are making the one pan version, simmer on the stove until the sauce is thickened! 15-20 minutes.

4. After the soup has cooked for 3 ½ hours, add the frozen spinach, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and tortellini. For the one pan version, when the soup has thickened, add the cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and tortellini.

5. Serve the soup with garlic bread or a side salad.

One Pan Prep and Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Crockpot Prep and Cooking Time: 4 hours

Servings: 8