Hearty Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Sausage Tortellini Soup (Print Version)

Hearty Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Sausage Tortellini Soup is a comforting one-pot meal. Sausage, beef, tortellini, and a creamy broth make weeknights easy.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 3 Hours 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Contains Meat, Dairy, Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Soup Base Essentials

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed)
03 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
06 - 4 cups beef broth

→ Creamy Dream Team

07 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream

→ Pasta & Greens

09 - 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
10 - 5 oz fresh spinach

→ Flavor Boosters

11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1 tsp dried basil
13 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your ground beef and Italian sausage browning in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up as it cooks. You want it nicely browned and crumbly, not just grey. This step is crucial for flavor, honestly. Drain off any excess grease; I always forget this part and end up with a slightly oily soup, oops. The smell of the sausage cooking always gets me excited for the Hearty Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Sausage Tortellini Soup to come!
02 - Once the meat is browned and drained, add your chopped yellow onion to the same skillet, cooking until it softens, about 5 minutes. Then, toss in the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until fragrant. Don't let the garlic burn, I’ve done that before, and it leaves a bitter taste that’s hard to fix. This is where the base flavors for your Hearty Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Sausage Tortellini Soup really start to develop.
03 - Transfer the browned meat, onion, and garlic mixture to your slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes (undrained!), beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little kick. Stir everything together until it's well combined. It won't look like much now, but trust me, magic is happening!
04 - Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. You want the flavors to meld beautifully. Around the 2-hour mark on low, my kitchen starts smelling absolutely divine, a true sign that this Hearty Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Sausage Tortellini Soup is doing its thing. Resist the urge to peek too often; let the slow cooker work its charm!
05 - With about 30-45 minutes left of cooking time, stir in the softened cream cheese and heavy cream. Give it a good whisk until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, making the broth wonderfully creamy. Then, add the refrigerated tortellini. Push it down into the liquid so it cooks evenly. This is where the Hearty Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Sausage Tortellini Soup really starts to look like the comforting meal you're craving.
06 - Finally, about 5-10 minutes before serving, stir in the fresh spinach. It will wilt down quickly into the hot soup, adding a vibrant green color and a fresh taste. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle your Hearty Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Sausage Tortellini Soup into bowls and serve immediately. I love a little sprinkle of fresh Parmesan on top, too!

# Notes:

01 - Always brown your meat before adding it to the slow cooker; it's a game-changer for flavor, I learned that the hard way.
02 - Don't add the tortellini too early, or it'll turn to mush. Wait until the last 30-45 minutes, trust me on this one.
03 - Full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream are essential for that truly rich, creamy texture.
04 - A little extra broth when reheating makes leftovers taste fresh.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Slow cooker
02 - Large skillet
03 - Whisk

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 28g
Protein: 24g

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