Creamy Slow-Cooker Tomato And Tortellini Soup

This Creamy Slow-Cooker Tomato and Tortellini Soup combines tender butternut squash, crushed tomatoes, and Italian herbs for a silky, flavor-packed base. Finished with cheese tortellini, fresh spinach, and a splash of cream, it’s a warming, restaurant-quality soup that pairs perfectly with focaccia bread.

Recipe Information

Total Time:

Yield:

6 servings (1½ cups each)

Ingredients

½ medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes (about 1 pound)

2 small shallots, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon Morton & Bassett Italian herb blend seasoning, plus additional for garnish

½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt

½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1 (32-ounce) container vegetable stock

2 (14.5-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, undrained

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ cup half-and-half

2 tablespoons potato starch

1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

2 cups baby spinach leaves, tightly packed

Fresh basil, for garnish

Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for garnish

No-Knead Rosemary Focaccia Bread, warmed for serving

Directions

In a 6-quart Dutch oven, place butternut squash, shallots, garlic, 1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning, salt and pepper. Add vegetable stock, crushed tomatoes and tomato paste; stir to combine. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cook, uncovered, over low heat for 40 minutes.
In a small bowl, stir together half-and-half and potato starch; stir into mixture in Dutch oven until smooth and combined. Cover and cook over low heat for 20 minutes.
Add tortellini and spinach. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes or until tortellini floats to top and spinach is slightly wilted.
To serve, garnish with fresh basil, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and additional Italian herb seasoning, if desired. Serve with warm focaccia bread.

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To cook in a slow cooker: Prepare soup as directed, except place ingredients in Step 1 in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3½ hours. Continue as directed for Steps 2 and 3, adding ingredients to slow cooker. Garnish and serve as directed.