Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with 

Pollinate Media Group™ and Barilla, but all my opinions are my own. 

#pmedia #joytothetable  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

This time of year is so filled with various meetings, outings, and holiday parties that we haven't been having family meals as much as usual. (Though, it seems like there is never really a dull or non-busy time of the year, am I right?) I figured it was time for us to sit down to a good family dinner, but I knew it had to be quick and something I didn't have to think too much about (Leila's Daisy troop had an outing to sing carols at a local Senior Center) so I headed to Safeway with the perfect recipe in mind - creamy tortellini soup, made in a slow cooker! With the help of Barilla Tortellini and Barilla Pasta Sauce this was the best batch yet! (And thanks to the additional $.75 off when you buy 1 package of Barilla®  tortellini at Safeway stores it was inexpensive as well!)

You will need:

-1 jar Barilla Tomato Basil pasta sauce

-1 package family sized Barilla Three Cheese tortellini
-3 cups water

-2 large handfuls of fresh spinach or kale, washed

-2 large carrots, washed and diced

-1/4 of a yellow onion 

-1 box (12 oz.) sliced white mushrooms
-1 32 oz box broth of choice (I usually use vegetable broth, but beef or chicken broth work just fine!)

-6 garlic cloves, minced

-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning

-1/2 brick of cream cheese, cubed 

-1 pound Italian sausage, browned and crumbled

(Make sure to use Barilla tortellini - they have the best taste by far, and they're the only ones that will not get soggy in this soup!)

Combine all ingredients except for tortellini and cook on high for two hours, or low for four. Add in the tortellini and cook on high another 45 minutes to an hour, or on low another hour and a half to two hours.

This is one of the few meals that's filled with veggies (carrots, mushrooms, onions and kale!) that my girls don't complain about.

Every bowl is practically licked clean!

Right now you get an additional $.75 off when you buy one package of Barilla tortellini at Safeway stores, so I hope you make this soup as well. It's hearty, and perfect for these chilly winter nights. It warms your tummy and your heart and is guaranteed to bring Joy to the Table!