Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage Recipe: A Hearty and Flavorful Meal
Let’s be honest — there are days when you crave a meal that feels like a warm hug, something hearty, cheesy, and full of flavor. But who has the time to stand over the stove for hours? Enter the crockpot cheese tortellini with sausage — the ultimate comfort dish that practically cooks itself.
This recipe combines rich Italian sausage, pillowy cheese-filled tortellini, and a creamy tomato-based sauce that tastes like it came straight from your favorite Italian restaurant. The best part? It’s all done in your slow cooker, which means minimal effort and maximum reward.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd, meal-prepping for the week, or just looking for a cozy family dinner, this dish checks all the boxes.
🍝 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Dump-and-Go Convenience – Toss everything in the crockpot, set it, and forget it.
- Rich, Hearty Flavors – The sausage and cheese tortellini make it filling enough to be the main event.
- Family-Friendly – Even picky eaters love cheesy pasta in a creamy sauce.
- Perfect for Leftovers – The flavors deepen after a night in the fridge.
- Customizable – Adjust spice levels, add veggies, or swap proteins to make it your own.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the lineup of ingredients that make this dish so irresistible:
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, depending on your preference)
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted for extra flavor)
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 3–4 cups chicken broth (adjust for sauce consistency)
- 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Sausage
In a skillet, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat until cooked through. Drain excess grease. (This step ensures your dish won’t be greasy and gives the sausage a nice sear.)
2. Prep the Crockpot Base
Add the cooked sausage, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and chicken broth to the crockpot. Stir to combine.
3. Slow Cook the Sauce
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. This lets the flavors meld together beautifully.
4. Add Tortellini & Cream
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini and heavy cream. Let them cook until the pasta is tender and the sauce becomes creamy.
5. Add the Cheeses
Just before serving, stir in the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan until melted and gooey.
6. Serve & Garnish
Ladle the tortellini and sausage into bowls. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
🌟 Tips for the Best Crockpot Cheese Tortellini
- Don’t add tortellini too early: Pasta can get mushy if left in the crockpot for too long. Add it near the end.
- Balance the sauce: If it’s too thick, add more broth. Too thin? Let it simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes (or add more cheese, which is never a bad idea).
- Go spicy or mild: Use hot Italian sausage for a kick or sweet sausage for a family-friendly version.
- Make it creamier: Stir in a bit of cream cheese along with the heavy cream for extra richness.
🔄 Variations to Try
This recipe is flexible, so feel free to mix things up:
- Veggie Boost: Add spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Different Pasta: Swap cheese tortellini for spinach or beef-filled versions.
- Protein Swap: Try ground turkey, chicken sausage, or even plant-based sausage.
- Extra Cheesy: Layer in ricotta cheese for lasagna-like vibes.
- Low-Carb Twist: Skip the tortellini and serve the sausage sauce over roasted veggies or spaghetti squash.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This hearty crockpot meal is amazing on its own, but you can round it out with sides:
- Garlic Bread – Perfect for soaking up that creamy sauce.
- Side Salad – A crisp Caesar or garden salad balances the richness.
- Roasted Veggies – Roasted broccoli or asparagus pairs beautifully.
- Wine Pairing – A bold red like Chianti or Zinfandel complements the sausage.
❄️ Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Note: Tortellini may soften after thawing, but the flavors will still be delicious.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed.
🧾 Nutrition (per serving, about 6 servings)
- Calories: ~480
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 34g
- Fat: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
(Values will vary depending on ingredients used.)
⭐ Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage Recipe is the kind of meal that turns an ordinary weeknight into something special. It’s hearty, creamy, and bursting with flavor — yet requires almost no hands-on cooking.
It’s a dish that will have everyone asking for seconds, and the best part is you’ll have leftovers that taste even better the next day. Comfort food at its finest, all thanks to your trusty slow cooker.
So grab your crockpot, toss in the ingredients, and let the magic happen. By dinnertime, you’ll have a cheesy, sausage-packed masterpiece that feels like it came straight out of Nonna’s kitchen.
