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white bowl filled with cheese tortellini and meatballs topped with cheese
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Slow Cooker Cheese Tortellini

You need a family friendly meal, you say? Well, here it is! Slow Cooker Cheese Tortellini is not only so easy because it's made entirely in the slow cooker, it's also a family favorite comfort food meal!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 366kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 pound ground turkey or lean ground beef
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon herb and garlic seasoning
  • 24 oz pasta sauce
  • 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream for later
  • 10 oz fresh or dried cheese filled tortellini noodles for later
  • Parmesan cheese for topping optional

Instructions

  • Mix together panko and milk and let set for 5 minutes
  • Mix meat, panko mixture, egg and seasoning in a medium mixing bowl. Form into tiny balls (bouncy ball size) and place all across bottom of slow cooker
  • Carefully add spaghetti sauce and tomatoes
  • Do not stir! - Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for about 8 hours or high for about 4 until meat is fully cooked
  • Carefully remove meatballs and set aside
  • Turn the slow cooker back to high and add the noodles and cream, stir well and add meatballs back on top. Let cook for around 15-20 minutes (or 30-40 minutes for dried tortellini)
  • Give it all a little stir and serve with Parmesan cheese if desired

Notes

Additional recipe notes:
  • If using dried instead of fresh tortellini, increase cooking time to 30-40 minutes
  • I used McCormick Herb and Garlic Seasoning which contains salt. You could also use a regular Italian seasoning but you will want to add 1/2 teaspoon of salt if it doesn't have any.
  • Stir pasta occasionally while cooking
  • Feel free to sub ground chicken instead of turkey

 

Nutrition

Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 977mg | Potassium: 776mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 945IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 4mg