1-First Step: Gather all ingredients and prepare vegetables by washing, peeling, and dicing carrots, celery, onions, and mincing garlic. Set aside fresh spinach and measure seasonings. Begin with sautéeing the sausage and onions in a skillet until browned, breaking up the meat, and discard excess fat if needed for added flavor.

2-Second Step: Stir in garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, then transfer the sausage mixture to a slow cooker. In the crockpot, combine broth, diced carrots, celery, onions, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juices, and chicken broth to build a solid base as per the directions.

3-Third Step: Cover and cook the mixture on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until vegetables are tender, aligning with the recommended cook time of 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high. This slow process melds the flavors beautifully, just like in the original recipe.

4-Fourth Step: About 30 minutes before serving, add the cheese tortellini, cream (if using), and fresh spinach leaves. Stir gently to combine and cover again, setting the slow cooker to high and stirring occasionally.

5-Final Step: Cook until tortellini are tender but not overcooked (usually 20-30 minutes), then season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy, topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese as suggested, pairing well with a Caesar salad or crusty bread for a complete meal. The preparation time is about 20 minutes prep and a total of around 8 hours 20 minutes, making it perfect for easy comfort meals.