Slow Cooker Sausage and Tortellini Soup

Yesterday as I pulled my crock pot out of the cupboard, I noticed it wasn't very clean.  My kids seem to think there's a magician in our dish washer that will get off all the stuff they don't want to take time for when they're doing the dishes.  I called all of the kids downstairs and had them sit on the couch.  I showed them 2 plates that I pulled out of the sink, one that had been scraped and rinsed, and one that hadn't.  I asked them which was was ready to put in the dishwasher and which one wasn't.  Then I explained that when they put the dishes in the dishwasher that haven't been rinsed off, none of the dishes get very clean.  I let them know that I wasn't going to rewash dishes that they didn't take the time to rinse off before they went in the dishwasher anymore, that we were just going to use them.  I showed them the crock pot in all it's dirty glory and let them know that I was going to cook dinner in it, just the way it was.  Their sweet little eyes got wide, mouths dropped opened and they let me know how disgusting they thought it was.  They even informed me that I would have to eat the food too.  I let them know I was fine with that and took my lovely, but dirty, crock pot back into the kitchen and started on dinner preparation.  My 7 year old grabbed the crock pot off the counter and volunteered to wash it herself.  I told her that would be wonderful, but the dishwasher failed to be unloaded last night and there was no room in the sink to wash it.  I've never seen my dishes done so quickly, and not to mention the right way, without having to ask anyone.  Hopefully the lesson will stick this time. :)

This Slow Cooker Sausage and Tortellini Soup was so easy and so yummy!  There wasn't a drop leftover after dinner last night.  

1 (19 ounce) package frozen tortellini
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 (14 ounce) package sausage (fully cooked), sliced
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 - 1 (10 ounce) bag fresh spinach - I used half of the bag this time but would have liked a bit more.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Pour all ingredients into a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. 

Recipe adapted from Little Fellows.

Linked on Sweet and Savory Saturdays, Pinworthy Projects, Manic Monday, Weekend re-Treat, Strut Your Stuff, Tatertots & Jello and Party in Polka Dots.