Slow Cooker Cheesy Tortellini

Looking for an easy, comforting meal the whole family will love? 🤩 This Slow Cooker Cheesy Tortellini is the perfect set-it-and-forget-it dinner! 🍝 With tender cheese-filled tortellini, flavorful marinara sauce, and plenty of melty cheese 🧀, this dish is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. Just toss the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do the work—perfect for busy weeknights! ⏳✨

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24 oz) jar of marinara sauce
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with liquid)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (22 oz) package of refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1½ cups fresh spinach (optional)

Instructions:

1. Brown the Meat:

   • In a pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
   • Stir in the diced onion and garlic, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

2. Prepare the Slow Cooker:

   • Transfer the cooked meat to the slow cooker.
   • Add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

3. Cooking Process:

   • Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.

4. Add Tortellini & Cream:

   • About 35 minutes before serving, stir in the cheese tortellini and heavy cream. If using spinach, add it at this stage.
   • Cover and continue cooking on LOW for 30 more minutes, or until the tortellini is soft.

1. Final Touches & Serving:

   • Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, allowing them to melt before serving.
   • Enjoy warm!

Extra Tips:

• Sprinkle red pepper flakes for added spice.
• Swap ground beef for turkey for a leaner option.
• Refrigerated tortellini works best, but frozen can be used with slight adjustments in cooking time.