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.
ADVERTISEMENT
