Description
Savory slow cooker tomato basil tortellini soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending rich Italian flavors with hearty ingredients. Creamy cheese tortellini and fragrant basil create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 package (9 ounces/255 grams) refrigerated cheese tortellini
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 can (28 ounces/794 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Arrange diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, chopped celery, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper inside the slow cooker, creating a flavorful base for the soup.
- Secure the lid and allow the mixture to simmer on low temperature for 6-8 hours, enabling the vegetables to soften and ingredients to meld together harmoniously.
- During the final cooking phase, gently introduce tortellini and fresh spinach leaves into the slow cooker, ensuring even distribution throughout the liquid.
- Increase the slow cooker’s temperature to high setting and continue cooking for 15-20 minutes, which will perfectly cook the tortellini and wilt the spinach without compromising their texture.
- Once tortellini reaches an al dente consistency and spinach appears delicately wilted, remove the lid and prepare to serve the aromatic soup while piping hot.
- Ladle the rich, hearty soup into individual serving bowls, allowing each portion to showcase the vibrant colors and robust flavors of the ingredients.
Notes
- Swap fresh tortellini for frozen to extend cooking time and prevent overcooking.
- Enhance protein content by stirring in cooked shredded chicken or white beans during the last 30 minutes.
- For a dairy-free version, skip traditional cheese tortellini and use plant-based alternatives with similar texture.
- Maximize flavor by gently toasting dried herbs in a pan before adding to the slow cooker, which intensifies their aromatic qualities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 145 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg