Description
This Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini is a comforting and easy-to-make slow cooker meal combining ground beef, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, and tender cheese tortellini. Finished with a melty blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, this hearty dish is perfect for a delicious family dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound mild Italian sausage (casings removed)
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (4 oz) can sliced mushrooms
- 1 (14.5 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes (undrained)
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 (9 oz) package refrigerated or fresh cheese tortellini
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the meats: Crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage together in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until browned to ensure flavor development and proper cooking. Drain off any excess fat before proceeding to keep the dish from being too greasy.
- Slow cook the mixture: Combine the browned ground meats, marinara sauce, sliced mushrooms, and undrained diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW heat for 6 to 8 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.
- Add tortellini and cheese: Stir in the refrigerated or fresh cheese tortellini, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and cook for an additional 15 minutes on LOW, or until the tortellini is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Be sure to drain the meat well after browning to avoid excess grease in the crockpot.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can cook with the lid off for the last 30 minutes before adding tortellini.
- Use fresh cheese tortellini if possible for best texture; frozen can also work but may require slightly longer cooking.
- Feel free to add extra vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for added nutrition and color.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat nicely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
