You know the crockpot sausage tortellini that’s drowning in cream and cheese? This isn’t that one. I wanted something simpler, so the Italian sausage does most of the work and the sauce is just diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, and some broth. Brown the sausage, let the crockpot take it from there, then stir in tortellini and a little coconut milk right before dinner. It’s a saucy pasta and it’s easy to keep dairy-free and/or gluten-free!

Tortellini with sausage and tomato sauce in a patterned bowl, topped with grated cheese and herbs.

Crockpot tortellini

Crock-tober rolls on, and it was time for a pasta night! I’d been wanting to make a tortellini situation in the crockpot for a while, but I didn’t want a ton of cream cheese, cream of mushroom soup, or heavy cream. I wanted something simple, made with real ingredients.

A woman with long red hair, wearing a brown sweater and jeans, smiles while standing in a modern kitchen beside a counter with fresh lettuce and hibachi steak bowls. Marble backsplash and gold kitchen accents are visible in the background.

And that’s exactly what this crockpot sausage tortellini is. The sausage cooks for a few hours in a tomato broth, and the tortellini get thrown in at the end. They turn pillowy soft and soak up most of the extra liquid. A splash of coconut milk gives it some creaminess, and that’s it!

A person sits cross-legged in a meditation pose with their hands resting on their knees, peacefully imagining delicious hibachi steak bowls. The simple black outline contrasts against a white background.

My sausage and tomato gnocchi soup is what you should make if you're looking for a warm soup. For another slow cooker pasta night, go with crockpot marinara meatballs and orzo, and when you’d rather stay at the stove, it’s spicy vodka pasta.

Ingredients & Notes

Italian sausage - I used bulk sausage which I got from the butcher's counter. Use mild or hot. Don’t swap in ground beef or ground turkey. The sausage is already loaded with seasoning, and that seasoning flavors the whole sauce.
Tortellini - Use refrigerated, two 9 oz packages. I used Kite Hill, which is dairy-free. I also tried a gluten-free tortellini and I didn't have a great experience. It basically fell apart in the crockpot.
Coconut milk - Full-fat, from a can. You can’t taste it, it just makes the sauce creamy. You can use heavy cream too.
Diced tomatoes - Plain or fire-roasted, both work.
Chicken broth - You just need 1 cup but feel free to use more if you want more of a soupy consistency.

How to Make Crockpot Sausage Tortellini

Ground meat with herbs browning in a stainless steel skillet. — **Step 1** : Brown the sausage.

A slow cooker filled with a stew base of ground meat, chopped tomatoes, onions, and herbs in broth. — **Step 2** : Add the sausage to the crockpot with the broth, tomatoes, and spices and cook low and slow.

Cream being poured over raw tortellini in a slow cooker. — **Step 3** : Add the tortellini and coconut milk or cream and cook for another few minutes.

A bowl of tortellini with meat sauce, garnished with herbs and grated cheese. — **Step 4** : Serve warm and enjoy!

Ansley's Tips

Start checking the tortellini at 8 minutes. What surprised me most was how quickly it cooked. Mine was done on the early end of the 8 to 15 minute window.
Stir well after the tortellini goes in. Every piece needs to be sitting in some liquid to cook through.
Why the crockpot and not the stovetop? It’s easier, and the sauce comes out with more flavor!

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy heat a serving back up in the microwave in 30 second intervals or in a pot on the stove with a splash of broth or water.

Check out these recipes for more easy dinners

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