Description
This comforting Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage recipe combines tender Italian sausage with cheese-filled tortellini in a flavorful marinara sauce, slow-cooked to perfection. Ideal for a hands-off, easy meal that delivers rich Italian flavors with minimal prep, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, sliced or crumbled)
Main Ingredients
- 20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or tomato pasta sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1/2 cup water or low-sodium broth
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese & Garnish
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until fully browned. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
- Prepare the Sauce Mixture: In your crockpot, combine the marinara sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, water or broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix all the flavors.
- Add Sausage and Tortellini: Add the cooked sausage and the uncooked cheese tortellini into the crockpot. Gently stir everything to ensure the tortellini is coated evenly with the sauce and mixed well with the sausage.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. This allows the tortellini to soften and absorb the rich flavors of the sauce and sausage.
- Add Cheese: About 10 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let the cheese melt into the hot dish.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh, colorful finish. Serve warm straight from the crockpot for a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- To reduce cooking time, you can cook the tortellini separately and add it in during the last hour of cooking.
- Feel free to use spicy sausage for an extra kick.
- Low-sodium broth can be used to control salt levels in the dish.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of water or broth slightly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
