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Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage

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This easy crockpot cheese tortellini and sausage recipe is a comforting, family-friendly weeknight dinner featuring cheesy tortellini, hearty Italian sausage, and a creamy tomato sauce. Minimal prep and the slow cooker does all the work for a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 ounces cheese tortellini (refrigerated or frozen)
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
  • 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess grease, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onion is soft and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes.
  3. Transfer the sausage, onion, and garlic mixture to a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in marinara sauce and diced tomatoes. Stir in Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours.
  5. Stir in cheese tortellini and heavy cream. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the top. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the tortellini is mostly submerged.
  6. Recover and cook on LOW for 30–40 more minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and the cheese is melted. Stir once halfway through to prevent sticking.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, brown the sausage before adding to the slow cooker. Add tortellini only in the last 30–40 minutes to prevent mushiness. Use fresh herbs for garnish if available. Adjust creaminess by adding milk or broth if the sauce is too thick, or let the crockpot sit uncovered to thicken if too thin. Recipe is adaptable for gluten-free or vegetarian diets with appropriate substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, cheese tortellini, sausage, weeknight dinner, comfort food, easy, Italian, pasta, family meal

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/crockpot-cheese-tortellini-and-sausage-recipe-easy-weeknight-dinner/