Are you tired of bland, time-consuming soups that leave you hungry and disappointed? Get ready to transform your kitchen into a gourmet Italian haven with this incredibly easy and mouthwatering Slow Cooker Vegetable Tortellini Soup! In just minutes of prep time, you'll create a hearty, flavor-packed meal that will have your family begging for seconds. This magical one-pot wonder combines the richness of cheese tortellini, the freshness of spinach, and a symphony of herbs that will transport your taste buds straight to the Italian countryside.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups cheese tortellini
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your vegetables by washing and chopping the onion, mincing the garlic, and measuring out the spinach and diced tomatoes.
- Add the vegetable broth to the slow cooker, creating the base liquid for the soup.
- Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the broth, which will provide a foundational flavor profile for the soup.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, stirring them gently into the liquid to distribute evenly.
- Sprinkle the Italian seasoning into the mixture, along with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat, allowing the ingredients to simmer and develop flavors for approximately 4 hours.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the cheese tortellini to the soup, ensuring they are fully submerged in the liquid.
- Stir in the chopped spinach in the final 10-15 minutes of cooking, allowing it to wilt and integrate into the soup.
- Once cooking is complete, taste and adjust seasonings if needed, adding more salt or pepper to preference.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for additional flavor.
Tips
- For maximum flavor, sauté your onions and garlic in a pan for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the slow cooker. This will enhance their depth and richness.
- Use fresh tortellini from the refrigerated section if possible, as they tend to have a more delicate texture than dried varieties.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste or blend a portion of the soup and return it to the pot.
- For a protein boost, consider adding cannellini beans or diced chicken during the initial cooking stage.
- To prevent tortellini from becoming mushy, add them only in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can elevate the soup's flavor profile when added just before serving.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the cheese tortellini with spinach or mushroom tortellini.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making this an excellent meal prep recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 20mg
