Sweet Potato Sausage Tortellini Soup Crockpot
This sweet potato sausage tortellini soup crockpot recipe pairs spicy Italian sausage with soft cubes of sweet potato, kale, and cheese tortellini in a creamy broth. The sweetness of the potatoes balances the heat of the sausage in a very good way.
8
servings20
minutes6
hoursItalian sausage and sweet potatoes simmer in garlicky broth, then tortellini and kale finish the pot. A little cream makes the soup silky.
Ingredients
1 lb hot or mild Italian sausage, casings removed
1 yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 large sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 lb), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 package (9 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
4 cups chopped kale, stems removed
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Directions
- Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up, until no pink remains and it reaches 160°F. Drain the fat.
- Add the sausage to a 6-quart slow cooker with the onion, garlic, and sweet potatoes.
- Pour in the broth and tomatoes and add the Italian seasoning, paprika, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours, until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning.
- Set the cooker to HIGH. Add the tortellini and kale and stir.
- Cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tortellini float and the kale wilts.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the cream.
- Let the soup sit for 5 minutes so the flavors blend.
- Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan.
Notes
- Spinach can replace the kale and only needs 5 minutes. For a dairy-free soup, swap coconut milk for the cream and skip the cheese. The sweet potatoes thicken the broth as they sit. Leftovers keep 4 days and need extra broth when reheated. Freeze the base without tortellini and cream for 3 months.
Why sweet potatoes and sausage pair so well
Spicy sausage and sweet potato is a classic match. The potatoes soften into the broth as they cook and give it a slightly sweet body, which tempers the heat and fennel in the sausage. By the time the tortellini go in, the soup base already tastes like it simmered on the stove all afternoon.
The slow cooker also solves a timing problem. Sweet potatoes need hours to break down gently, while tortellini need only minutes. The slow cooker lets you do both in one pot, with the pasta added at the end.
It is a good use of fall produce, and the soup feeds a crowd for the price of a few vegetables and a pound of sausage.
Ingredient notes for this tortellini soup
Italian sausage: Hot sausage gives a good kick against the sweet potato. Use mild for kids or a family that avoids heat.
Sweet potatoes: Cut them into half-inch cubes. Larger chunks stay firm and smaller ones melt into the broth. Orange-fleshed varieties work best.
Cheese tortellini: Refrigerated is best. Frozen works too, with 10 more minutes.
Kale: Lacinato kale stays tender and does not turn slimy. Remove the tough stems.
Heavy cream: It rounds out the broth. Half and half will work, but the soup will be lighter.
Olive oil: A teaspoon in the skillet keeps the sausage from sticking if you use a lean chicken sausage instead.
Tips for the best soup
Cut potatoes evenly: Pieces that vary in size cook unevenly, so some turn to mush while others stay hard.
Add the pasta last: The most common mistake is adding tortellini at the start. They split and fall apart after hours of cooking, so add them in the last 20 to 25 minutes.
Add cream at the end: Dairy can curdle in a long cook, especially with tomatoes. Stir it in after you turn off the heat.
Brown the sausage well: A good sear on the meat gives deeper flavor to the broth. Do not rush this step, even though everything else is hands-off.
Variations and swaps
Use butternut squash in place of sweet potatoes for a similar sweetness. Add white beans for more protein, or swap the sausage for chicken sausage for a lighter bowl. A little maple syrup can bring out the sweetness if you like it. For a gluten-free soup, replace the tortellini with cooked rice.
Do not use dry tortellini without adding extra time and broth. It drinks too much liquid and the soup turns thick and sticky.
A pinch of nutmeg and a squeeze of lemon at the end bring out the sweetness of the potatoes and make the soup taste brighter.
What to serve with the soup
Crusty bread or garlic toast is the right partner for this soup. A crisp apple and walnut salad adds a fresh, tart note that goes well with the sweet potatoes. Put out grated Parmesan and red pepper flakes so people can season their own bowl. This is a good soup for a casual fall dinner with friends.
A glass of crisp white wine or sparkling cider fits the sweet and spicy flavors of this soup.
Storing and reheating
The pasta and sweet potatoes keep thickening the soup in the fridge. Store it for up to 4 days and add broth when you reheat it.
To freeze, make the soup through the sweet potato stage and freeze it without the tortellini, kale, and cream for up to 3 months. Thaw, bring to a simmer, and add the rest fresh.
Leftover soup is also good as a pasta sauce, so thicken it on the stove and spoon it over fresh noodles.
Sweet Potato Sausage Tortellini Soup Crockpot at a glance
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 6 hours
- Servings: 8 servings
- Ingredients: 15, led by hot or mild Italian sausage, yellow onion, garlic, sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 lb)
Tips for Sweet Potato Sausage Tortellini Soup Crockpot
Spinach can replace the kale and only needs 5 minutes. For a dairy-free soup, swap coconut milk for the cream and skip the cheese. The sweet potatoes thicken the broth as they sit. Leftovers keep 4 days and need extra broth when reheated. Freeze the base without tortellini and cream for 3 months.
Sweet Potato Sausage Tortellini Soup Crockpot FAQ
How long does Sweet Potato Sausage Tortellini Soup Crockpot take?
Sweet Potato Sausage Tortellini Soup Crockpot takes 6 hours of cooking after 20 minutes of prep.
How many people does Sweet Potato Sausage Tortellini Soup Crockpot serve?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What do I need to make Sweet Potato Sausage Tortellini Soup Crockpot?
15 ingredients, led by hot or mild Italian sausage, yellow onion, garlic, sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 lb). Amounts are in the recipe card above.
