Slow Cooker Meat Sauce With Tortellini Recipe

Name: Slow Cooker Meat Sauce With Tortellini
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 12 lb lean ground beef; 12 lb Italian sausage, sweet or hot; 1 (16 ounce) jar tomato sauce; 1 (4 1/2 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, undrained; 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained; 12 medium onion, diced; 12 green bell pepper, diced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 (9 ounce) package cheese tortellini, refrigerated or fresh; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, real Parmigiano Reggiano preferred

Servings: persons

12 lb lean ground beef
12 lb Italian sausage, sweet or hot
1 (16 ounce) jar tomato sauce
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, undrained
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
12 medium onion, diced
12 green bell pepper, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 (9 ounce) package cheese tortellini, refrigerated or fresh
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese, real Parmigiano Reggiano preferred

1
If your sausage comes in links, remove it from the casings.
2
Crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage into a large skillet.
3
Cook over medium-high heat until browned.
4
Remove meat to slow cooker, using a slotted spoon, leaving fat in skillet.
5
Add onion, green pepper and garlic to skillet and saute until soft and onion is translucent.
6
Remove vegetables to slow cooker with a slotted spoon.
7
Discard fat remaining in skillet.
8
Add the marinara sauce, mushrooms, tomatoes, herbs, and brown sugar to the slow cooker.
9
Cover, and cook on LOW heat for 7 to 8 hours.
10
(It will probably be ready after 4 hours, but you can leave it to sit as long as 8 if need be.
11
).
12
Stir in the tortellini, and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top.
13
Cover and cook for 15 more minutes on LOW, or until the tortellini is tender.
14
Serve with grated Parmigiano.

3986

kcal

Calories

289

Fat

Carbs

260

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 12 lb lean ground beef, 12 lb Italian sausage, sweet or hot, 1 (16 ounce) jar tomato sauce, 1 (4 1/2 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, undrained, and more.

Yes, Slow Cooker Meat Sauce With Tortellini falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Slow Cooker Meat Sauce With Tortellini

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions