Crock Pot Creamy Tortellini Soup

Heavy cream is often used to make a soup creamy. This soup is creamy, but requires no heavy cream. Instead it uses evaporated milk, but it still has creaminess to it. A benefit of using evaporated milk instead of heavy cream is the nutritional content, 2 tablespoons of heavy cream has 100 calories, 10 grams of total fat and 40mg of cholesterol, evaporated milk has 40 calories, 2 grams of total fat and 10mg of cholesterol. I love that a simple change in ingredients makes the soup a little bit healthier.

Crock Pot Creamy Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 4 cups reduced sodium beef broth
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 3- 12 ounce cans full fat evaporated milk
• 12 ounces cheese tortellini
• 5 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 cup milk

Directions:

1. In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage until completely cooked and crumbled.
2. Transfer the sausage to the crock pot.
3. Add in the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, Italian seasoning and beef broth.
4. Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours.
5. In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and water until completely combined.
6. Remove the lid of the crock pot and stir in the cornstarch mixture and evaporated milk.
7. Add in the tortellini and stir to mix.
8. Place the lid back on the crock pot and cook on high for 45 minutes until the soup has thickened and the tortellini is cooked through and soft.
9. Add in the spinach and press it down to completely submerge it in the liquid.
10. Place the lid on the crock pot and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the spinach leaves have wilted.
11. Pour in the milk 1/3 cup at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:

Some or all of the evaporated milk may be substituted with half and half.

As the soup cools it thickens up even more and the pasta absorbs some of the liquid. You may need to add some milk when reheating to reach your desired consistency.

Nutrition Facts
Serves: 10
Amount Per Serving
Calories 397
Total Fat		18.8g
Saturated Fat		7.9g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0g
Monounsaturated Fat		0g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		55.8mg
Sodium		739.9mg
Potassium		540.6mg
Total Carbohydrates		35.2g
Dietary Fiber		2.5g
Sugars		15.8g
Protein		20.3g
Vitamin A 63.36% Vitamin C 9.92%
Calcium 38.85% Iron 9.09%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Cafe Delites.