Description
A hearty and delicious slow cooker recipe featuring Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, and a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, your choice)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and transfer the sausage to the slow cooker.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the slow cooker with the sausage. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cheese tortellini and heavy cream. Cover and continue to cook on low for 30 minutes or high for 15 minutes, until the tortellini is tender.
- Before serving, stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use turkey sausage and half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for extra nutrition and flavor. Stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 90mg