A clean, herb-infused broth makes this slow cooker tortellini soup with Italian sausage a favorite to keep in your weekly meal plans.
This post is in partnership with McCormick.
“Oh babe, this is so good. Hey! Don’t eat all the broth! That’s mine.” My husband. He’s usually really good about sharing. “Oh. This is really good.” Until it comes to soup. He LOVES a good soup. And he wants it all for himself.
I’ve said it here before. My man is a soup aficionado. And if you can spell aficionado without having to hit dictionary.com, you are one swell spelling bee winner, because I can’t. But back to the crockpot tortellini soup…
Not only does the slow cooker create a broth for this tortellini soup that tastes flavorful and ultimately craveable, but the perfumed scent of sausage, onion, celery and garlic that wafts from the kitchen as it cooks will also have you wishing you could give that lid on the slow cooker just a crack to dip a spoon in for juuuuuust a bite for taste testing.
Or better yet, dip in a big old slice of sourdough. Fancy that. We’re a family of dippers.
What’s in This Tortellini Soup?
Veggies and broth are the supreme staple for a simple soup like this. What I like about that fact, besides that it’s so easy to pull together, is the clean flavor it imparts. This sausage tortellini soup is one of those soups you can plan to make later on in the weekly meal planning because this list of fresh ingredients hold their goodness longer, and the whole batch is flavored with dried herbs you can keep handy in the cupboard.
But to get that full dose of flavor, I don’t use just any any dried herb.
When McCormick asked me to try their new line of Herb Grinders I was intrigued. They describe the herb grinders as a whole new flavor innovation designed to deliver more aroma and more taste. Each grinder contains dried herbs with larger cuts of leaves you can grind when ready to use, keeping the herbs fresher, longer.
Grinding fresh also makes the herbs finer and smaller in texture. What I liked about that for this soup is because I used the basil, oregano and parsley herb grinders, the finer ground herbs blended seamlessly into the broth, so that with each bite, no one herb overpowered the other.
The stock is simple but deep thanks to the addition of tomatoes to the chicken broth and the soffrito of veggies (what Italians call the combination of onion, celery and carrots) as well as a bit of sherry to tenderize and flavor the sausage when cooking.
How to Make Tortellini Soup in a Slow Cooker
You’ll first need to brown the sausage in a skillet that’s been preheated over medium-high heat. Once the meat is browned, add the garlic, onion, and celery and continue cooking until the veggies have softened.
Season with salt and pepper, then pour in the sherry wine and cook until it’s evaporated. Transfer the mixture to your slow cooker, then add in the carrots, broth, and tomatoes. Grind in the herbs and stir.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 hours. Add the kale and tortellini and cook for another 30 minutes before serving.
I garnished my sausage and tortellini soup with Parmesan cheese, just because.
Can I Make This in an Instant Pot?
Absolutely! I’ve made this soup in my regular slow cooker before, but now that I have my Instant Pot, I’ll be saving my old slow cooker to use just for bigger batch cooking. What is special about the Instant Pot is it has 7 functions in one pot. You can use it as a slow cooker, a pressure cooker, a yogurt maker and so much more.
But the thing I LOVE about this appliance is its function to sauté meats, chicken, veggies, and more directly in the insert. No need to dirty another pan or pot. It makes each slow cooker recipe a true one-pot meal and perfect for soups like this one.
Is There a Kale Substitute I Can Use?
Of course. I used lacinato kale, or dinosaur kale, in this easy tortellini soup for a bit more bulk, and freshness, added at the end with the tortellini. Spinach, swiss chard, or arugula could be used instead.
Tips for Making Tortellini Soup
I like a 3-cheese tortellini in my soup, but you could use a spinach and cheese or other flavor you prefer. When adding your fresh tortellini, be mindful not to overcook them. Fresh tortellini cooks up quickly, and the little bundles of cheesy pasta bulk up more the longer they sit in the broth. If you let them cook too long, there’s a greater tendency for them to break down. If you use dried tortellini in your soup, allow for at least 30 minutes extra cooking time.
If you don’t have sherry on hand, use a white wine you’d be willing to drink instead.
Oh, and I highly recommend serving this sausage tortellini soup with crusty sourdough bread or even soft potato rolls. Because like my husband says, brothy soup like this is made for dipping.
More Slow Cooker Soups You Need to Make
- Slow Cooker Hatch Green Chili Verde
- Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Chili
- Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
- Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup
- Vegetarian Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter with #foodiecrusheats.
Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup with Sausage and Kale
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sweet Italian sausage
- 1 onion , diced
- 2 stalks celery , diced
- 4 cloves garlic , pressed or minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup sherry or dry white wine
- 2 carrots , diced
- 1 15- ounce can diced tomatoes
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon McCormick Basil Herb Grinder
- 1 teaspoon McCormick Oregano Herb Grinder
- ½ teaspoon McCormick Parsley Herb Grinder
- 3 cups chopped lacinato , dinosaur kale, stems removed
- 1 pound fresh 3-cheese tortellini
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook stirring occasionally until browned. Add the onion and celery and cook for 3-4 minutes then stir in the minced garlic, season with the kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add the sherry or white wine and scrape up any fond or bits on the bottom of the pan, cooking until it evaporates.
- Transfer the sausage and vegetables to the insert of the slow cooker. Add the carrots, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Grind in the basil, oregano and parsley and stir. Cover with the lid and set the cooker to low and cook for 3 hours.
- Add the tortellini and the kale to the slow cooker and cook for 30 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
More Dinner Recipes with Sausage You’ll Love
- Baked Sausage and Cheese Rigatoni
- Spiralized Zucchini, Quinoa, and Turkey Sausage-Stuffed Peppers
- Sausage and Ricotta Lasagna
- Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Peas
- Chicken, Crab, and Andouille Sausage Gumbo
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This post was in partnership with McCormick. To learn more about the new McCormick Herb Grinders and some simple recipes to put them to use, click here!
As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There are affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.
Andrea
Do you think this would freeze okay? It looks so delicious; I can’t wait to try It!
Shannon
I’m wondering the same thing. It makes a lot of soup!
Nancy
This was really really good! For instant pot this is what I did:
Use all the ingredients as listed. Brown the sausage and when about 1/2 done add the onions then add the carrots and celery. When it is brown and the veggies soft add the garlic and herbs salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes and a little of the broth. Scrape the brown bits off the bottom. Add the rest of the broth. Put IP on manual 8 mins. Do quick release. When you can open add the tortellini. Put IP on manual 2 mins. Do quick release. Add spinach and when wilted, serve.
Monica
Nancy, I followed your instructions and the soup turned out perfectly. Thank you so much for sharing your modified approach for the Instant Pot!
Kevin
I did the same thing (after all ingredients were added, did Instant Pot High Pressure Manual for 8 minutes), except I boiled the water and did the tortellini separately as it was quick releasing. By the time it was done, torts were cooked in a pot (only takes 2-3 min or whatever package says) and then put them and the kale inside the instant pot while it was on warm and while I finished the bread for serving.
Kelli
Do I manually do the quick release?! I’m doing it right now and set manual to 8 mins and it’s talking waaaaay longer than 8 mins!
Breanna
thank you so much for posting this!! I was just prepping for dinner tonight and didn’t realize it was on the slow cooker setting. I don’t have enough time for that. Gonna try your suggestion.
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Oh no! I hate it when that happens. Very glad that Nancy had some suggestions for you.
Lyn Instefjord
This is the best soup I’ve ever made! Didn’t have time for the slow cooker, so I winged it and made it on the stove top. My only complaint – I didn’t double or triple the recipe. My family ate every last drop. i could eat it every day! Thinking of planning a dinner party with this as the main course.
Cherry
I too made this on the stovetop! It has been a soup I’ve made EVERY season since I’ve found it. I was surprised when my family asked for it again! My dad liked it even more the next day.
So glad you like it Cherry, and yes, you can totally make it on the stovetop.
Jessica Benskey
Hi you start by giving instructions that include the Instant pot, but then when it comes time to cook you only give the slow cooker. So how long would this need to be in the Instant pot on manual?
For the Instant Pot simply cook it on the SOUP setting.
Lucysshine
Love Love Love this soup , but I am a newbie to Instant Pot… on October 16, 2016 you said to use the “slow cooker” function and February 7, 2017 you said to use the “soup” function. lol, I need direction ! thank you
Denise
Soup was excellent-made it today but used fresh spinach-it was great!!
Thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Denise, and great idea to add another layer of healthy with spinach.
Great idea Denise. I love spinach, kale or chard in my soups, makes them more hearty.
Heather
This is the best soup! I’ve made it for a family gathering, for a sick friend, and for myself! It is simply delicious and so easy to make! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!!
Lyn Instefjord
Skipped the slow cooker and made this soup on the stove the other night. Loved it! Barely had any left for lunch the next day – shared the little I had with coworkers and they immediately asked for the recipe. Thinking I’ll plan a party soon and serve this soup with a crusty bread and light dessert. Thank you for sharing!
CJ
Hi, I was thinking the same thing! How long total did you cook it on the stove top?
Thanh
Can you substitute packaged sausage, cut it up, and follow directions the same way (put in slow cooker for 3 hrs) or would you put it in later with the kale?
Hi Thanh, yes, you could totally do that. I’d add the packaged sausage at the beginning of the cooking to infuse the soup with its flavor. Enjoy!
Kelly
Loved it! Thank you for sharing.
QUE
made this soup last night… IT WAS PHENOMENAL…