Why make this recipe
Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage is a delicious and easy dish. It combines cheesy tortellini with tasty sausage in a slow cooker. This recipe is perfect for busy days, as it requires minimal prep time and cooks while you go about your day. The flavors blend beautifully, making it a comforting meal for family and friends.
How to make Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 20 ounces of cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 can (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) of tomato sauce
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- In the crockpot, combine the cooked sausage, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cheese tortellini. Cover and continue cooking until tortellini is tender.
- Before serving, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top and let it melt. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
How to serve Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage
Serve the Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage hot in bowls. You can enjoy it on its own or pair it with garlic bread or a fresh green salad. This meal is great for family dinners or casual gatherings.
How to store Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage
To store any leftovers, let the dish cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
Tips to make Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage
- Use mild or spicy sausage based on your taste preference.
- For extra flavor, add some spinach or bell peppers to the mixture.
- Make sure to stir in the tortellini about 30 minutes before you plan to serve it. This keeps it from getting too soft.
- If you want a creamier texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream just before serving.
MAKE-AHEAD, LEFTOVERS & REHEATING CROCKPOT CHEESE TORTELLINI AND SAUSAGE
CROCKPOT CHEESE TORTELLINI AND SAUSAGE IS A GREAT MAKE-AHEAD MEAL BECAUSE THE SAUCE AND SAUSAGE FLAVORS ONLY GET BETTER AS THEY SIT. YOU CAN COOK THE DISH COMPLETELY, LET IT COOL, THEN STORE IT IN THE FRIDGE FOR EASY LUNCHES OR DINNERS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. WHEN REHEATING, ADD A SPLASH OF CHICKEN BROTH, WATER, OR A LITTLE TOMATO SAUCE TO LOOSEN UP THE PASTA IF IT SEEMS TOO THICK, THEN WARM IT GENTLY ON THE STOVETOP OR IN THE MICROWAVE UNTIL HOT.
IF YOU PLAN TO FREEZE IT, LET THE TORTELLINI AND SAUSAGE COOL COMPLETELY BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO A FREEZER-SAFE CONTAINER. IT CAN BE FROZEN FOR UP TO 2 MONTHS. FOR THE BEST TEXTURE, TRY TO UNDERCOOK THE TORTELLINI JUST SLIGHTLY THE FIRST TIME SO IT DOESN’T BECOME TOO SOFT AFTER REHEATING. THAW OVERNIGHT IN THE REFRIGERATOR, THEN REHEAT ON LOW HEAT, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY AND ADDING A LITTLE LIQUID IF NEEDED. THIS MAKES IT PERFECT FOR BUSY WEEKNIGHTS WHEN YOU WANT A HOMEMADE, COMFORTING MEAL WITH ALMOST NO WORK.
Variation
You can easily change this recipe. Substitute sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. You can also use different pasta shapes if you don’t have tortellini. Try adding vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms for more nutrition.
FAQs
CAN I USE FROZEN TORTELLINI?
YES, FROZEN TORTELLINI WORKS JUST AS WELL AS FRESH IN THIS RECIPE. ADD THE FROZEN TORTELLINI DURING THE LAST 30 MINUTES OF COOKING, JUST LIKE YOU WOULD WITH FRESH, AND COOK UNTIL THEY ARE TENDER. IF YOUR SLOW COOKER RUNS HOT OR THE SAUCE IS VERY THICK, YOU CAN ADD A SMALL SPLASH OF CHICKEN BROTH TO HELP THE TORTELLINI COOK EVENLY. JUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO ADD THEM TOO EARLY, OR THEY MAY BECOME MUSHY.HOW SPICY IS THIS DISH?
THE SPICINESS OF CROCKPOT CHEESE TORTELLINI AND SAUSAGE DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON THE TYPE OF SAUSAGE YOU USE. IF YOU CHOOSE SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE, THE DISH WILL BE MILD AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY. USING SPICY ITALIAN SAUSAGE WILL GIVE IT MORE HEAT AND A LITTLE KICK. YOU CAN ALSO BALANCE THE FLAVOR BY COMBINING HALF SWEET AND HALF SPICY SAUSAGE. IF YOU WANT EVEN MORE HEAT, ADD RED PEPPER FLAKES OR A PINCH OF CAYENNE TO THE SAUCE.CAN I ADD MORE VEGETABLES?
ABSOLUTELY! THIS RECIPE IS VERY FLEXIBLE AND A GREAT WAY TO SNEAK IN EXTRA VEGGIES. YOU CAN ADD SPINACH, BELL PEPPERS, ZUCCHINI, MUSHROOMS, OR EVEN CARROTS. STIR HEARTIER VEGETABLES (LIKE PEPPERS OR ZUCCHINI) INTO THE CROCKPOT ALONG WITH THE SAUSAGE AND SAUCE SO THEY COOK THROUGH. MORE DELICATE GREENS LIKE SPINACH CAN BE ADDED IN THE LAST 10–15 MINUTES OF COOKING, JUST UNTIL WILTED. THIS NOT ONLY BOOSTS NUTRITION BUT ALSO ADDS COLOR AND TEXTURE TO THE DISH.
Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy) Use according to taste preference
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen) Frozen works well, add in last 30 minutes
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
- 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounces)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For topping before serving
- to taste fresh basil for garnish Optional
Instructions
Preparation
- In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- In the crockpot, combine the cooked sausage, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
Cooking
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cheese tortellini. Cover and continue cooking until tortellini is tender.
- Before serving, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top and let it melt. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.