Ingredients:

20 oz of packaged, chilled cheese tortellini
3/4 pound of ground beef or sausage
1 jar (24 oz) of marinara sauce
1 can (15 oz) of diced tomatoes, drained
2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup of heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon of onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Preparation:

For Complete Cooking STEPS Please Head On Over To Next Page Or Open button (>) and don’t forget to SHARE with your Facebook friends

1. Brown the Meat: In a pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until fully browned, making sure no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.

2. Combine in Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked meat to a slow cooker. Add the marinara sauce and diced tomatoes, stirring well to combine.

3. Add Tortellini: Gently stir in the cheese tortellini, ensuring it’s well-coated with the sauce mixture.

4. Mix in Cream and Seasonings: Pour in the heavy cream, then add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir slowly to incorporate all ingredients.

5. Simmer: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 hours.

6. Add Cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cover and allow the cheese to melt and blend into the dish.

7. Final Touches: Once everything is hot and bubbly, give the mixture one final stir. Serve warm, garnished with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired.

Tips and Variations:

For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk.

To make this dish vegetarian, replace the meat with canned chickpeas or sautéed mushrooms.

Add a kick of spice by including red pepper flakes.

Customize the recipe by using different types of tortellini or adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach.