Tortellini and Spinach, a meal in a bowl, cooked in the Crockpot!

Noticed this recipe on Facebook and thought it looked interesting! Not exactly a soup yet we served it in a bowl . . . so perhaps we should call it Tortellini & Spinach Meal in a Bowl. Actually, just call it SCRUMPTIOUS! And, it is super easy, too.

And, yes, I did make some changes . . . the original recipe call for frozen tortellini but I had a package of the dried kind on hand. I also used chicken versus veggie broth and used reduced fat (1/3 less) cream cheese. And, finally, it was done in just about 3 hours . . . any longer and the tortellini would have split open. Here's my version:


Tortellini and Spinach, a meal in a bowl, cooked in the Crockpot

1 (8 oz.) box dried tortellini

1 (6 oz.) bag fresh baby spinach

2 (15 oz.) can Italian-style diced tomatoes (if you don't have Italian-style on hand use regular diced and add about 2 to 3 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning)

1 qt. (4 cups) chicken or vegetable broth

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese (I used reduced fat -- 1/3 less), cut into chunks.

1   Put all ingredients in crockpot.

2   Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. 

3   Stir and turn to high just long enough to allow the ingredients to become nice and creamy.

If you want to change from low to high, here's a slow cooker conversion guide. .

Slow Cooker times -- converting from low to high or vice versa 

Low: 4 to 6 hours or High for 1 1/2 to 2 hours

Low: 6 to 8 hours or High for 3 to 4 hours

Low: 8 to 10 hours or High 4 to 6 hours