Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe
If you adore cozy comfort food that tastes like it’s been simmering on an Italian grandma’s stove all afternoon, this Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup will steal your heart. Imagine plump, cheese-stuffed tortellini surrounded by a velvety, savory broth packed with tender veggies, silky spinach, and just enough Parmesan to make you smile with every spoonful. The best part? This recipe is gloriously fuss-free—your slow cooker does almost all the work, leaving you with nothing but anticipation as the glorious smells fill your kitchen. Whether you’re feeding the family or looking for a soothing meal at the end of a busy day, Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup is sure to become your new go-to bowl of comfort!

Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup is that every ingredient plays a starring role in flavor, color, or texture. These everyday kitchen staples come together to create something far greater than the sum of their parts—each essential for that deeply satisfying soup experience!
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruity richness and helps soften the veggies while sautéing.
- Onion (chopped): A classic aromatic base for sweet, savory undertones in every bite.
- Garlic (minced): Fresh garlic brings warmth and a gentle kick, elevating the broth to cozy heights.
- Carrots (sliced): Offer sweetness and color, plus a lovely tender texture after slow cooking.
- Celery (sliced): Adds balancing earthiness and a slight crunch that softens perfectly in soup.
- Diced tomatoes (with juice): Deliver gentle acidity and brightness right into the broth.
- Low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth: The flavorful foundation; choose your favorite to match your taste or dietary needs.
- Dried basil: Infuses herbaceous Italian warmth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Dried oregano: Adds another layer of herb depth and fragrant, savory notes.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Give a whisper of gentle heat—add more or less to suit your spice comfort level.
- Salt and pepper to taste: The finishing balance for all the flavors; taste and adjust as your heart desires.
- Refrigerated cheese tortellini: The star of the show! Irresistibly cheesy, pillowy pasta that soaks up the creamy broth.
- Fresh spinach: Wilts to silky perfection, adding color, nutrients, and just a touch of garden freshness.
- Heavy cream: For that signature creamy & luxurious texture—swap with half-and-half if you like it lighter!
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Melts in for extra creaminess and that unmistakable umami punch, and makes a lovely garnish.
How to Make Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup
Step 1: Sauté Your Aromatics
Set the stage for amazing flavor by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and chopped celery. Sauté them for 5 to 7 minutes, just until they’ve softened a little and started to smell deliciously inviting. This gentle cooking helps the veggies release their sweetness, giving your Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup its rich foundation.
Step 2: Build the Soup Base in the Slow Cooker
Transfer your fragrant veggies straight into your slow cooker, then pour in the can of diced tomatoes (juice included—don’t skip this part!), the chicken or vegetable broth, dried basil, dried oregano, and those optional red pepper flakes if you’re feeling adventurous. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper, give everything a thorough stir, and pop on the lid. This mix is about to transform into the coziest soup base!
Step 3: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic
Set your slow cooker to low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours. During this time, the vegetables turn incredibly tender, and the flavors meld into a beautiful, savory harmony. You’ll want to peek under the lid just to inhale the aroma, but resist stirring it too often—let those flavors get to know each other!
Step 4: Add Tortellini, Spinach, Cream, and Cheese
Once the veggies are perfectly soft, it’s time for the final (and most exciting) additions. Stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini, toss in the fresh spinach, pour in the heavy cream, and finish with a handful of grated Parmesan. Cover and cook on high for another 15 to 20 minutes so the tortellini turns pillowy and the spinach wilts into silky green ribbons. Watch the soup transform as the creamy, cheesy magic happens right before your eyes!
Step 5: Taste and Serve
Give your Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup a good taste. Add more salt, pepper, or even a hint more Parmesan if you like. Ladle into roomy bowls while it’s still piping hot and watch those happy faces gather around your kitchen table!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup

Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of extra Parmesan never goes amiss—let the cheese lovers go wild. A touch of freshly cracked black pepper or even a flurry of chopped fresh basil can bring a bright contrast to the creamy base. If you love heat, a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes can add an inviting kick!
Side Dishes
What’s better than bread with soup? Serve slices of toasted ciabatta, warm garlic knots, or a rustic French baguette for perfect dunking. For a lighter pairing, a simple mixed greens salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette is refreshing and balances the richness of Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Ladle the soup into vintage mugs for a playful, cozy presentation—ideal for a movie night or a casual get-together. For dinner parties, try serving in hollowed bread bowls for extra wow factor and a no-dishes bonus. You can even portion the Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup into small cups or shot glasses as a fun appetizer at your next celebration.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool any leftover Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup to room temperature, then ladle into airtight containers. Stored in the refrigerator, it will keep well for up to three days. The soup thickens slightly as it sits, but the flavors deepen and become even more delicious by the next day.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze your soup, leave out the tortellini and cream until reheating for the best results—the pasta can turn mushy, and dairy may separate after freezing. Freeze the base soup in freezer-safe containers for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, reheat, then add fresh tortellini, cream, spinach, and Parmesan just before serving.
Reheating
Warm the Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often so the creamy base doesn’t scorch. If the soup seems too thick, add a splash of extra broth or a swirl of cream to loosen it up. Microwave reheating also works—just give it a stir halfway through to make sure everything is evenly heated.
FAQs
Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated?
Absolutely! Just pop the frozen tortellini straight into the slow cooker along with the cream and spinach and cook a few extra minutes (about 5 to 10 minutes more) until they’re tender but not falling apart.
How can I make this soup lighter without sacrificing creaminess?
Try swapping the heavy cream for half-and-half or even evaporated milk—your soup will stay velvety, just a little less rich. If you’re keeping it light, don’t skip the Parmesan; even a little bit makes the flavor sing!
Can I add cooked chicken or sausage to this soup?
Yes! This soup is wonderfully flexible. Stir in bite-sized pieces of cooked chicken or browned Italian sausage during the final 20 minutes for a heartier meal, or use it as a way to repurpose leftovers from earlier in the week.
Is Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup vegetarian?
It can be! Simply use vegetable broth and double-check that your tortellini and Parmesan are made without animal rennet. The result is a wonderfully satisfying vegetarian meal perfect for Meatless Monday.
Do I need to sauté the vegetables first, or can I skip that step?
Sautéing the vegetables builds a deeper, sweeter flavor base, but if you’re in a real hurry, you can add the chopped veggies directly into the slow cooker. The soup will still taste great, though a little less rich and complex.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly special about sharing a big pot of Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup with the people you love—it’s a hug in a bowl, easy to make, and impossible to resist. Whether you’re chasing away the chill or just want a bit of weeknight comfort, I hope this recipe finds a warm place in your kitchen and your heart. Don’t be surprised if it becomes a new family tradition!
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Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of this Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup. Packed with tender tortellini, fresh veggies, and a luscious creamy base, this soup is a comforting delight for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Vegetable Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 carrots (sliced)
- 2 celery stalks (sliced)
Soup:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a skillet, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Combine Ingredients: Add tomatoes, broth, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours.
- Add Tortellini: Stir in tortellini, spinach, cream, and Parmesan. Cook on high for 15–20 minutes until tortellini is tender.
- Serve: Garnish with Parmesan and serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or evaporated milk instead of cream.
- Frozen tortellini can be used with adjusted cook time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 65mg