Spinach & Tortilini Stew

I wasn't really sure what to even call this crock pot creation.  I sort of found it online somewhere, I think, modified it and basically eneded up just throwing a bunch of stuff in the crock pot and hoped that it would turn out well - which it did!  The dish wasn't quite a soup, more like a stew and included chicken broth, italian tomatoes, frozen tortellini and spinach!  Even though it is almost summer and was pretty warm the day I made it I was craving something hearty, that would require minimal effort and would be ready when I got home from a long day of work and errands.

Spinach & Tortellini Stew

  

Ingredigents

1 box low sodium chicken broth

2 cans Italian style petite diced tomatoes

1 bag frozen tortelini

1/2 - 3/4 bag fresh spinach

6 - 8 oz cream cheese (I used neufchatel)

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

 

Instructions

Place chicken broth, 2 cans of tomatoes, frozen tortellini, fresh spinach and seasonings in crock pot ~ cube the cream cheese (make them small cubes) and place them in crockpot as well ~ stir well ~ cook on low for 5 - 6 hours.

 

(Two caviots of this dish - 1) do not overcook, my crock pot flipped to the 'warm' setting after the 6 hours and sat there for a while, because of this the tortellini was overcooked and 2) if you can, I would recommend stirring every hour or so, if you don't the cream cheese cubes won't 'melt' all the way).

 

Other than those two caviots the dish was pretty awesome.  I think if I had made it on a day when I was at home it would have been even better!  This would be a great fall or winter weeknight meal!