This slow cooker tortellini bake is a comforting pasta dinner that brings rich marinara sauce and savory Italian sausage together in a cozy dish. With tender cheese tortellini melting into layers of mozzarella and Cheddar, it’s an easy pasta recipe that fills the house with inviting aromas. Perfect for an Italian dinner that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.
Cheesy Italian Tortellini
Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes7
hours30
minutes7
hours40
minutesNothing brings the family together quite like a bubbling, cheesy slow cooker dish! Packed with layers of flavor in marinara sauce and melty cheese, it has quickly become a favorite at our dinner table.
Ingredients
½ pound ground beef
½ pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 (16 ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated or fresh cheese tortellini
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
- Heating a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook and stir the ground beef and Italian sausage in the skillet, breaking it up until it’s crumbly and browned (about 10 minutes). Don’t forget to drain off any excess fat!
- Combine the cooked meats with the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and mushrooms in a slow cooker. Stir well, cover, and cook on Low for 7 to 8 hours.
- Stir in the tortellini into the marinara meat sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella and Cheddar cheese on top.
- Cover again and cook on Low until the tortellini is tender (about 15 more minutes).
What You’ll Need
Gather these ingredients to create a delicious Cheesy Italian Tortellini:
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 (16 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
- 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated or fresh cheese tortellini
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- Large skillet
- Slow cooker
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Colander (for draining meat)
Detailed Cooking Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook and stir the ground beef and Italian sausage in the skillet. Break it into small pieces until it’s browned, about 10 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat from the cooked meat.
- Combine the cooked meats with marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and mushrooms in a slow cooker. Stir well to mix all ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on Low for 7 to 8 hours.
- When ready to add tortellini, stir in the cheese tortellini into the marinara meat sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Cheddar cheese on top of the tortellini.
- Cover again and cook on Low for an additional 15 minutes, until the tortellini is tender.
Tips & Tricks
- Make this dish ahead of time. Prepare the meat and sauce mixture the night before and store it in the fridge. When ready to cook, just add it to the slow cooker with the tortellini.
- Try swapping cheese tortellini for spinach or mushroom tortellini to add different flavors.
- If the sauce is too thick after cooking, add a splash of chicken or vegetable broth to achieve the desired consistency.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop for a warm, cozy meal.
- Add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning or crushed red pepper flakes before serving for extra flavor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Tortellini is usually filled with a mixture of meats like pork, prosciutto, or chicken, combined with cheese such as Parmesan or ricotta. Some versions also include spinach or herbs for added flavor.
Yes, tortellini is commonly served with sauces like broth, cream-based sauces, or tomato sauce. The choice depends on the filling and personal preference, but a light broth is traditional in Italian cooking.
Tortellini fillings often mix meat with cheese and herbs, while ravioli filling varies widely from meat to vegetables and cheeses alone. Tortellini tends to have smaller, more compact fillings compared to ravioli’s larger pockets.
Tortellini is traditionally served in a clear broth called brodo or with a simple cream sauce. It can also be paired with grated Parmesan and a side of vegetables or salad.
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