Description
A hearty and comforting crockpot recipe featuring cheese tortellini, savory sausage, and creamy marinara sauce. Perfect for busy weekdays or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package fresh or frozen cheese tortellini (refrigerated three-cheese variety recommended)
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild, spicy, or sweet, casing removed)
- 1 jar marinara sauce (good-quality, garlic and basil recommended)
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces, mince the garlic, and rinse the spinach leaves. If using frozen tortellini, let it thaw slightly.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil, and brown the sausage pieces for about 5-7 minutes.
- Transfer the browned sausage to your crockpot and add the marinara sauce, chicken broth, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine.
- Set your crockpot to low and cook for 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally if possible.
- About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, add the cheese tortellini and heavy cream. Stir to combine and let it cook until the tortellini are tender.
- Toss in the fresh spinach and stir for about 5 minutes until wilted.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top, cover the crockpot, and let it cook for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Ladle into bowls and enjoy hot. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
[‘Brown the sausage to enhance flavor and texture.’, ‘Use fresh spinach and good-quality cheese for better taste.’, ‘Add tortellini towards the end of cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.’, ‘Taste the sauce before serving and adjust seasoning as needed.’, ‘Layer cheese at the end for a gooey finish.’, ‘Double the recipe for larger gatherings, ensuring your crockpot is big enough.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450500
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 20
Keywords: crockpot, cheese tortellini, sausage, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, slow cooker, Italian recipe