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This super simple Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup is the perfect fall dinner…great for nights when you’re craving Italian, but want something warming and healthy too. A mix of vegetables, simmered with Italian seasonings, a splash of wine, kale, and cheese tortellini. Finish each bowl off with an extra sprinkle of cheese and serve with crusty bread. It’s hearty, full of greens, and so delicious. Great for just about any night of the week. Plus the leftovers the next day make for the best lunch!
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As promised…a new slow cooker recipe to start off the week. And a healthier one too. But don’t worry, it’s still creamy, cozy, and of course, delicious. I mean, it’s October, I wouldn’t share a non-cozy recipe at this point in the year. Cozy is always the way to go when the weather begins to turn cooler.
To be completely honest, I don’t love all soups. To me, a dinner soup needs to be hearty. It needs to be brothy, but it also needs texture, carbs, and preferably some cheese on top too. French onion? Yes – yum. Hearty, thick chili? Of course. Ramen with double the noodles? Yes, 100%.
But a brothy soup with just a few vegetables just doesn’t do it for me, which brings me to this soup. It’s vegetable soup, but it’s not your average vegetable soup. This one is creamy, cheesy, and made with not just vegetables, but cheese tortellini too.
It’s all the things I love in a bowl of soup, yet made on the healthier side too. Promise you guys, this one is good, and kid-friendly too!
Here is the story:
This soup just sounded good to me. I’ve never done an Italian-style tortellini soup, but oddly I’ve done a Mexican-inspired tortilla soup with tortellini. Not sure where I got that idea, but it sure is different. Nothing like this bowl of tortellini soup.
When I presented the idea of a vegetable-based tortellini soup to my sister-in-law, she gave it a double thumbs up. Granted Lynds loves a bowl of soup, but she’s also picky about her them. So instead of second-guessing my ideas, like I always do, I took her double thumbs up and I ran with it. And the verdict? I am very, very happened I listened. This is such a delicious bowl of warming soup. And I love that I was able to make it a touch healthier than the versions you might find in a restaurant.
And my favorite part…well, aside from the taste…this is actually the easiest soup to make. You can cook it low and slow in the slow cooker, or speed things up by cooking it in the instant pot, or you can even cook it on the stove-top.
To make this tortellini soup:
I love to start this off on the stove-top. I know it’s annoying, but I really think cooking your vegetables with the dried herbs and spices before slow cooking adds so much wonderful flavor. If you have an all-in-one browning slow cooker then you can do this all in the slow cooker bowl. I literally just hit purchase (before starting this post) on this all-in-one All-Clad slow cooker with a browning function. I cannot wait for it to arrive this week!
Cook the onions with a mix of my favorite Italian spices…the dried herbs, fennel, and smoked paprika. They are all KEY here. They add so much flavor, almost like Italian sausage, but minus any of the meat.
Once the onions have been seared, add everything to the bowl of your slow cooker. Then add tomato paste, a good splash of dry white wine, and plenty of vegetable broth. Cover and cook low and slow.
I like to just let my soup cook all day long. The house smells incredible as this simmers away in the slow cooker. But, as I mentioned, I’ve also included directions for the Instant-Pot and stove-top variations, in case you’re in a crunch.
Once the soup has finished cooking, before serving, stir in a few large handfuls of kale, cream or milk, parmesan cheese, and the cheese tortellini. Cook another few minutes and then that’s it.
Easy. EASY. But yet so delicious.
I’d highly recommend serving this soup with a side of crusty bread. If you own the HBH Super Simple cookbook, there’s a really good, really easy, no-knead bread recipe that’s perfect to pair with this soup.
If you’re planning to enjoy this soup leftover, be sure to first remove the tortellini from the broth before refrigerating. That way the tortellini won’t soak up all the broth. Then just add them back in before serving.
Alright, and with that, I’m going to leave you all to it. If your Monday night needs some warming soup, this should be it. I’m actually beyond excited to make this again today on Instagram stories. It’s the perfect fall soup.
Cannot wait!
Looking for other fall soup recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Creamy Wild Rice Chicken Soup with Roasted Mushrooms
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar and Zucchini Soup
Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana
Lastly, if you make this Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Quick How-To Video:
Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2-4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, (or 2 teaspoons dried)
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1-2 teaspoons fennel seeds, use to your taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 6 carrots, chopped
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 4-6 cups roughly chopped kale
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 pound fresh cheese tortellini
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion, garlic, thyme, basil, oregano, fennel, paprika, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes, until very fragrant. Remove from the heat and add to the bowl of your crockpot. Stir in the tomato paste, carrots, and celery. 2. To the crockpot, add the wine, broth, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5.3. During the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the kale, cream, parmesan, and the tortellini. 4. Serve the soup topped with additional parmesan and fresh oregano, if desired.
Instant Pot
- 1. Set Instant Pot to sauté. Add the olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, basil, oregano, fennel, paprika, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes, until very fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste. Turn the Instant Pot off.2. To the instant pot, add the wine, broth, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cover and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.3. Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release function. Set the Instant Pot to sauté. Stir in the kale, cream, parmesan, and the tortellini. Cook until the kale is wilted, about 10 minutes. Turn the Instant Pot off. 4. Serve the soup topped with additional parmesan and fresh oregano, if desired.
Stove-Top
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook 5 minutes, until golden. Add the carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, basil, oregano, fennel, paprika, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook another 5 minutes, until very fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the wine, broth, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Simmer over medium heat for 20-30 minutes, until the carrots are tender. 2. About 10 minutes before serving, stir in the kale, cream, parmesan, and the tortellini.3. Serve the soup topped with additional parmesan and fresh oregano, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
What an incredible soup! One of the best I have ever made. The flavours were perfect and the splash of Parmesan was delicious. I added spinach instead of kale and it was wonderful. (I popped it in for the 5 mins as I didn’t think it needed as long as the kale ) not sure if the photo will attach but I will try! Thanks for all of tha amazing recipes.
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Hi Ann! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
Could i sub in parm rind instead of grated parm with the same effect?
Hey Lisa,
Yes that is fine to do:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
YES! Making this! YUM!
Love that! Thank you so much Sarah Jane! xTieghan
This looks so good I can’t wait to try it. Have you read the reviews on that all clad slow cooker? There not good. I was tempted to my it a while back but once I read the reviews I changed my mind.
Hey Lisa,
I have never had issues with my slow cooker and have had it for years:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This looks amazing. I can’t have tomatoes due to a health issue. Can I leave out tomato paste or is there a good substitute?
Looks fantastic. I can’t have anything tomato due to a health issue. Can I just leave out the tomato paste or is there a good substitute?
Hey Crystal,
I would just omit the tomato paste. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This looks amazing!! I’ve made four of your recipes in one week. Question about this recipe… do I cook the tortellini prior to putting in the instant pot? Or does the tortellini cook in the instant pot? Can’t wait to make this!
Hey Abbie,
The tortellini will cook in the instant pot. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tiegan. I love those Stuart Weitzman boots with pearls too. I found them on the Saks website. They are called Sondra there. You might have a look. Today, Monday is the last day of their friends and family sale. You might want to splurge they are 25% off. I am also going to make this delish looking soup.
Ooo yes! Thank you for sharing, Katie! I hope you love the soup! xTieghan
Trying to stay away from wine so don’t have it in the house. While cooking wine has more sodium is that an alternative? Other suggestions?
Hey Deb,
You can just use additional veggie broth. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Same question—can you use the slow cooker function of the Instant Pot? I gather that you prefer the slow cooker option. This sounds delicious!
Hey Connie,
I haven’t never used the slow cooker option my on instant pot, I prefer to just use my slow cooker:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi! Can you sub dried tortellini for fresh?
Hey Jessica,
Yes that is fine to do! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi! This recipe looks amazing! Do you think it would work okay if I used canned coconut milk in place of the heavy cream/milk to give it a dairy-free creamy base? Let me know your thoughts!
Hey Tara,
Yes coconut milk is totally fine to use! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
The directions for all three ways (crock pot, instant pot and stove top) all say to put the soup in the bowl of the crock pot.
I feel this may be an error. 🙂
But I am going to make it. It looks great!
Thank you,
Cindy
Thank you Cindy! I hope you love this recipe!! xTieghan
Good morning Tieghan,
I’m looking forward to making this soup. I LOVE how you add how to adjust the recipes for multiple appliances—THANK YOU! I love my IP and as I was reading the instructions, under #1 it reads “Remove from heat and add to the bowl of the crockpot”. I just wanted to bring it to your attention before you are flooded with questions.
I LOVE your recipes and your beautiful presentation and enjoy reading about you and your family.
Have a great week and stay safe.
Susan
Hi Susan! Thank you so much! I hope you love this recipe if you get a chance to try it! xTieghan
I’d like to make this today! Have you ever used the instant pot/slow cooker combo? Could I sauté this in my instant pot, and then turn on the slow cooker function and cook it that way all in the instant pot?
Hey Michelle,
I have never used the slow cooker function on my instant pot. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan