Description
This Slow Cooker Sausage and Cheese Tortellini is a hearty and comforting meal perfect for busy days. Combining lean turkey sausage, cheesy tortellini, fresh spinach, and a rich tomato broth, it cooks low and slow for tender pasta and melded flavors. Topped with creamy and shredded cheeses, this dish is effortless to prepare and satisfying to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound lean turkey sausage
Pasta
- 1 bag (19 ounces) frozen cheese tortellini
Vegetables
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
- 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, drained
Liquids & Seasonings
- 3 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Cheese
- 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the lean turkey sausage until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish light and flavorful.
- Prepare the slow cooker: Grease the inside of a large 7-quart slow cooker to prevent sticking. Spread the frozen cheese tortellini evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Layer ingredients: Evenly distribute the cooked sausage over the tortellini. Pour the baby spinach leaves, drained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning over the top.
- Add cream cheese: Place the cubed cream cheese evenly across the top of all the ingredients in the slow cooker. This will melt and create a creamy texture throughout.
- Cook low and slow: Close the slow cooker lid and cook on low heat for up to 5 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. Stir occasionally after the first 2 hours to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Add mozzarella and rest: When cooking is complete, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Leave the lid off and let the dish stand for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the flavors to meld.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the slow cooker sausage and cheese tortellini warm straight from the dish. Enjoy this satisfying and easy meal!
Notes
- Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent pasta from sticking if desired.
- Use lean turkey sausage to reduce fat content.
- Draining diced tomatoes avoids excess liquid that may make the dish too soupy.
- Letting the dish rest after cooking thickens it and melts the mozzarella beautifully.
- Can be customized by adding herbs such as basil or parsley for extra flavor.
- Make sure slow cooker size is at least 7 quarts to accommodate all ingredients comfortably.
