Creamy Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup

In these times, we need to simplify our lives wherever we can. Now that many of us are at home with our children full time, we need meals that are simple with minimal work. This is why I wanted to share with you an incredibly easy recipe that is great when you have a ton to do (like homeschooling kids) and cannot spend all day in the kitchen. Cooking everything in the slow cooker makes prep easy. No mess and no fuss!

I adapted this recipe from one I originally found on Better Homes and Gardens. The original recipe just was not creamy enough so I swapped out a few ingredients and added more spices to kick up the flavor. You can even add some cooked Italian sausage to this at the end to make it even more hearty. Serve with some warmed crunchy bread and you have an easy meal everyone will love!

Ingredients:

2-1 1/2 - 2 ounce envelope Alfredo sauce mix
4 cups water
1-14 ounce can chicken broth
1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (you can also use canned)
1/2 cup chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp paprika

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp finely ground pepper
1- 7 or 8 ounce package dried cheese tortellini (about 2 cups)or 20 ounces of fresh
1-12 ounces half and half
5 cups fresh baby spinach leaves or torn spinach
Finely shredded Parmesan cheese

1/2 pound of cooked Italian sausage (crumbled-optional)

Directions:

1.Place dry white Alfredo mix in a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. Gradually add the water to the sauce mix, stirring until smooth. Stir in broth, mushrooms, onion, garlic, basil, salt, oregano, cayenne pepper, paprika, sugar, and pepper.

2.Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2-1/2 to 3 hours.

3.Stir in dried tortellini. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 1 hour more or high-heat setting for approximately 45 minutes more. If using fresh pasta, reduce cooking time to 30 minutes. At this point, you would add your cooked Italian sausage if you wish to increase the heartiness of the soup.

4.Stir in half and half and fresh spinach. Cook for another 15 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Makes 6 servings.