If you’re looking for a comforting, cheesy, and downright delicious dinner that practically cooks itself, let me introduce you to my Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini with Ground Beef Recipe. This dish has quickly become a favorite in my household for busy weeknights when I want a hearty meal without standing over the stove. You’ll find it’s packed with gooey cheese, tender tortellini, and savory ground beef—all slow-cooked together to perfection. Stick around because I’m sharing all my best tips to help you nail this one every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Comfort Food: This recipe lets your crockpot do all the work, freeing you up for other things.
- Cheesy Goodness: The combination of mozzarella and cheddar makes each bite perfectly melty and flavorful.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this dish every time I make it—it’s a total crowd-pleaser.
- Versatile and Adaptable: You can easily tweak the protein or add your favorite spices to make it your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic here comes from pairing tender cheese-filled tortellini with savory ground beef and a rich marinara base. I always recommend using good quality marinara sauce because it really elevates the flavor without extra fuss.
- Ground beef: Choose lean or regular depending on your preference, but I find 80/20 gives the best flavor without too much grease.
- Diced onion: Adds a sweet, savory foundation that blends beautifully with the beef.
- Marinara sauce: A 24-ounce jar works perfectly here; go for one with herbs if you can.
- Diced tomatoes: Adds a nice fresh bite and texture contrast, canned is easiest and reliable.
- Cheese-filled tortellini: Fresh or frozen tortellini both work great; they soak up the sauce better than dry pasta.
- Mozzarella cheese: For that wonderful gooey meltiness that makes the dish irresistible.
- Cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, tangy kick to balance the mozzarella’s creaminess.
- Fresh parsley (for garnish): Brightens the dish visually and adds a fresh herbal note.
Variations
I love how flexible this Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini with Ground Beef Recipe is. Over time, I’ve played around with adding different flavors and proteins depending on what’s in my fridge or what I’m craving. Feel free to make it your own—it always comes out tasty!
- Sausage swap: I sometimes replace part of the ground beef with Italian sausage, which adds a bit of spice and richness that my family adores.
- Seasoning tweaks: Adding garlic paste or more Italian herbs to the marinara really amps up the flavor without extra effort.
- Pesto boost: Stirring in a spoonful of pesto before serving adds a fresh, herby punch that I discovered on a whim and loved immediately.
- Tortellini options: Whether fresh, frozen, or dry, each version works—just adjust the cooking time a bit to get the pasta perfectly tender.
How to Make Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini with Ground Beef Recipe
Step 1: Brown the beef and onion
Start by heating up a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook your ground beef along with the diced onion. This step really develops those deep, savory flavors that are the heart of the dish. Make sure to stir and break up the beef as it cooks, and once it’s nicely browned, drain any excess grease to keep it from getting too heavy.
Step 2: Combine ingredients in the crockpot
Next, line your slow cooker with a liner for easy clean-up or give it a good spray with nonstick baking spray. Add the cooked beef and onion mixture into the crockpot along with your marinara sauce and diced tomatoes. Give everything a good stir to combine. I usually set mine to low for about 6 hours, which lets those flavors meld perfectly, but if you’re short on time, high for 3-4 hours works well too.
Step 3: Add tortellini and cheese
About 20-30 minutes before serving, stir in the frozen or fresh tortellini along with half of your shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese. This timing ensures the pasta cooks through without turning mushy. Then sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and cover again—this last bit of cheese melts into a gorgeous bubbly topping that I always look forward to.
Step 4: Finish cooking and garnish
Cook for another 15-20 minutes on low, or until the tortellini is tender and the cheese melted. Just before serving, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness. It’s such a simple touch but it makes the dish look and taste even better.
Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini with Ground Beef Recipe
- Use a Slow Cooker Liner: Saved me so much time on cleanup, especially with cheesy dishes like this one.
- Don’t Overcook Tortellini: Adding it late in the cooking ensures it stays tender but not mushy—trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way.
- Drain Grease Well: Too much grease can make the sauce oily, so take a moment to drain after browning the beef.
- Use Quality Cheese: Freshly shredded mozzarella and cheddar melt better than pre-shredded kinds that have additives.
How to Serve Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini with Ground Beef Recipe
Garnishes
I always sprinkle fresh parsley right before serving—not just for the pretty green color, but it adds a subtle fresh flavor that cuts through the richness of the cheese. Sometimes, I swap parsley for fresh basil when I’m feeling fancy, which gives the dish a lovely Italian vibe.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides are a crisp Caesar salad or garlic bread. The crunchy texture pairs beautifully with the creamy, cheesy tortellini, making the meal feel complete without any fuss.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve this Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini with Ground Beef Recipe in small, individual ramekins topped with extra cheese and fresh basil leaves. It looks elegant and everyone loves having their own personal cheesy casserole.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge and they keep well for up to 3 days. When I reheat, I usually add a splash of water or a little extra marinara sauce to keep the tortellini from drying out.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dish successfully by placing cooled leftovers in freezer-safe containers. Just be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep the cheese creamy and the pasta tender.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring halfway through. Adding a little bit of broth or sauce prevents it from becoming too thick or gummy.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of pasta instead of tortellini?
Absolutely! While cheese-filled tortellini gives this recipe its signature creaminess, you can swap in fresh or frozen ravioli, or even penne pasta. Just keep in mind that cooking times might vary and you may want to add pasta later to avoid overcooking.
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Do I need to precook the tortellini?
If you’re using frozen or fresh tortellini, no need to precook—it will cook right in the crockpot during the last stage. Dry tortellini is best added earlier and may benefit from a bit more cooking time to get tender.
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Definitely! You can skip the ground beef and add hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach instead. Using vegetable broth with marinara sauce helps keep it rich and flavorful.
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What’s the best way to prevent the dish from getting watery?
Make sure to drain any excess grease from the beef and avoid adding too much liquid initially. Using a good quality marinara sauce (without extra watery add-ins) also helps maintain a thick, luscious sauce.
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Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes! Just be sure your crockpot is large enough to handle the volume, and you may need to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure everything is hot and bubbling.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini with Ground Beef Recipe has become my go-to for busy nights when I want something delicious with zero stress. I love how the slow cooker makes everything meld together so beautifully, and the gooey cheese always wins everyone over at the dinner table. Give it a try—you’ll feel like you’ve got a homemade Italian feast ready with hardly any effort!
Print
Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini with Ground Beef Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Easy Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini with Ground Beef recipe is a comforting and hearty slow cooker meal featuring tender cheese-filled tortellini, savory ground beef, onions, marinara sauce, and melty mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Perfect for a hands-off dinner, it combines rich Italian flavors with simple prep and the convenience of slow cooking, topped with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 24 ounce jar marinara sauce
- 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 18 ounces cheese filled tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Line a slow cooker with a slow cooker liner or spray it with nonstick baking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook the beef and onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, fry the ground beef and diced onion until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Add the cooked ground beef and onion mixture, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and seasonings of your choice into the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
- Slow cook the sauce: Cook the mixture in the slow cooker on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Add tortellini and cheese: Stir in the frozen tortellini noodles along with half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly to coat the tortellini in the sauce and cheese.
- Top with remaining cheese and cook: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until the tortellini is tender and the cheese has melted.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a fresh burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- Variations: Replace some or all of the ground beef with ground sausage or turkey for a different flavor profile.
- Add pesto, garlic paste, or Italian seasoning to the marinara sauce to enhance flavor complexity.
- You can use either fresh or frozen tortellini; if using dry tortellini, add it earlier with the ground beef and sauce to ensure proper cooking.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil for extra freshness and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
