Crock Pot Tortellini and spinach soup

Oh how I love a crock-pot

The feeling I get after I put everything in a pot and realize supper is done.  lovely.

*I used another 1/2 bag of Tortellini because I did not add meat. If you want it more soupy just add the one bag.

 

 

 

 

a frozen bag of Tortellini, vegetable broth, diced Italian tomatoes, bag of spinach, package of Philadelphia cream cheese

 

 dump the tortellini in the crock pot

 add the 2 cans of tomatoes and be sure you drain them

 

 

 add the spinach

 

 

 cut up the block of cream cheese and add it to the top of the spinach

 

 

add a carton of vegetable broth or chicken broth . that's about 4 cups

 

 

 

 

You will have to stir this after about 2 hours or your spinach and cheese will just sit  on top.

 

RECIPE

1 16 oz. and 1/2 of another 16 oz. bag bag of frozen tortellini

1  bag of fresh spinach

2 cans of Italian style diced tomatoes (soup can sized approx 10.5 oz)Drained

1 box or 4 cups of chicken broth or Vegetable Broth

1 package of cream cheese

1/8 teaspoon crushed  Red Pepper (optional)

salt to taste


Directions:
Put all ingredients in crock pot, chunking up the cream cheese into 1 inch pieces. Cook on low for 5-6 hrs. Mix thoroughly during last hour
*I used another half bag of the tortellini because I did not use meat . If you add meat just use the one bag



Don't you love a recipe that you can prepare so many different ways but with little effort.

You can add chopped cooked chicken, spicy sausage, ground turkey, ground Italian sausage, sliced sausage, spicy turkey sausage

and also throw in some finely chopped garlic, red pepper, basil, oregano, rosemary, Italian seasonings

For an extra kick replace one can of Italian tomatoes with rotel

Throw in some fresh mushrooms

for a lighter version you can use the fat-free cream cheese and for the vegetarian version you can use vegetable broth. I would not use Greek Yogurt because it will separate and be clumpy in the crock-pot.

Frozen Tortellini is best because the fresh will get more soggy

You can also use 4 cheese ravioli

Top with your favorite blend of cheeses, such as grated parmesan

The frozen spinach will also get crispy so use the fresh spinach as much as you like. I used the whole bag and it looks like a lot but it will really cook down.