Why It’s Great

The charm of Crockpot Creamy Tortellini lies in its simplicity. In just a few minutes, you can toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker, and then let it work its magic. The creamy sauce combined with the tender tortellini creates a comforting dish that pleases everyone at the table. Plus, this recipe allows for endless customization—add your favorite vegetables or proteins to make it uniquely yours. Whether you’re cooking for your family or prepping meals for the week ahead, this slow-cooked delight is both convenient and mouthwatering.

Ingredients

• 1 (20 oz) package cheese tortellini (refrigerated or frozen)
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 4 cups fresh spinach (or 1 bag frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep the ingredients: If you’re using frozen tortellini, you can skip the thawing step. Gather all your ingredients and prepare to layer them in the crockpot.
2. Layer the crockpot: Start by pouring the chicken or vegetable broth into your crockpot. Add the diced tomatoes along with their juice, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine.
3. Add cream and cheese: Next, stir in the cubed cream cheese and heavy cream. Gently add the tortellini to the mixture, making sure to combine everything well.
4. Cook: Cover the crockpot and let it cook on low for 4-5 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, until the tortellini is tender and thoroughly cooked.
5. Add spinach: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the fresh spinach. It will quickly wilt into the creamy sauce.
6. Finish and serve: Once everything is beautifully combined and creamy, stir in grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Serve your dish hot, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs as desired.

Serving and Storage Tips

• Serving: Enjoy your Crockpot Creamy Tortellini hot, paired with a side of crusty or garlic bread. A fresh salad also complements the meal perfectly for a balanced dining experience.
• Storage: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it up gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth or cream to bring it back to life.

Helpful Notes

• Tortellini options: Both refrigerated and frozen tortellini work well here. If you’re using frozen tortellini, rest assured they will cook just fine in the slow cooker without pre-thawing.
• Vegetarian version: To make this dish vegetarian-friendly, opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also amp up the nutrition by adding vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
• Add protein: For those who want a more hearty meal, feel free to add in diced cooked chicken, sausage, or shrimp during the last hour of cooking.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen tortellini?

Absolutely! Frozen tortellini is a great option for this recipe. Just add them straight to the slow cooker without thawing.

2. Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes! Simply swap out chicken broth for vegetable broth, and consider including extra vegetables for more flavor and texture.

3. Can I add meat to the recipe?

Of course! You can enhance this dish by adding cooked and sliced sausage, grilled chicken, or even cooked shrimp during the last hour of cooking.

4. How do I prevent the cream sauce from curdling?

To prevent curdling, add the cream cheese and heavy cream early in the cooking process and keep the heat on low.

5. Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, you can freeze the tortellini and sauce. However, be aware that the cream-based sauce may alter in texture upon thawing. When reheating, gently warm it up and consider adding a little extra cream or broth to restore its smooth consistency.