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Slow Cooker Sausage and Cheese Tortellini Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 84 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 hours
  • Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

This Slow Cooker Sausage and Cheese Tortellini is a comforting and hearty meal perfect for busy days. Lean turkey sausage and cheese tortellini are combined with fresh spinach, diced tomatoes, and creamy cheeses to create a rich, flavorful dish that cooks effortlessly in your slow cooker. Ideal for a family dinner, it offers a creamy, cheesy pasta experience with minimal prep and maximum taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Pasta

  • 1 pound lean turkey sausage
  • 1 bag (19 ounces) frozen cheese tortellini

Vegetables and Liquids

  • 3 cups baby spinach leaves
  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 3 ½ cups chicken broth

Seasonings

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Cheeses

  • 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the lean turkey sausage. Cook thoroughly until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat content.
  2. Prepare the slow cooker: Lightly grease the inside of a large 7-quart slow cooker to prevent sticking. Place the frozen cheese tortellini evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  3. Layer ingredients: Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the tortellini. Add the baby spinach leaves, drained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on top of the sausage to evenly distribute flavors.
  4. Add cream cheese: Place the cubed cream cheese evenly over the top of the layered ingredients to allow it to melt into a creamy sauce during cooking.
  5. Cook the dish: Cover with the slow cooker lid and cook on low heat for up to 5 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. For best results, after about 2 hours of cooking on low, occasionally stir gently to prevent the tortellini from sticking to the bottom of the slow cooker.
  6. Add shredded cheese: Once cooking is complete, sprinkle the shredded Mozzarella cheese over the top of the hot tortellini mixture.
  7. Rest before serving: Leave the lid off and allow the dish to stand for 15 to 20 minutes. This resting time lets the cheese melt further and the flavors meld.
  8. Serve: Serve warm directly from the slow cooker. Enjoy your comforting and cheesy sausage tortellini meal!

Notes

  • You can substitute lean pork sausage for turkey sausage if preferred.
  • If using fresh tortellini, reduce the cooking time accordingly to avoid overcooking.
  • Stirring occasionally during cooking prevents the pasta from sticking and helps distribute the cheese sauce evenly.
  • For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes or use a spicy Italian sausage.
  • Leftovers refrigerate well for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the microwave or on the stovetop.

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Find it online: https://pinworthyrecipes.com/slow-cooker-sausage-and-cheese-tortellini-recipe/