Description
This Crock Pot Cheesesteak Tortellini is a comforting and hearty meal combining tender ground beef, sautéed bell peppers and onions, cheesy tortellini, and a rich creamy sauce. Perfect for a busy day, it uses simple ingredients and slow cooker convenience to infuse the flavors over hours, finishing with melted provolone or mozzarella cheese for a deliciously gooey finish.
Ingredients
Meat and Pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
Dairy and Sauce
- 2 cups shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese (or a mix)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup beef broth
Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- Optional red pepper flakes or hot sauce
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat thoroughly before transferring the beef to the Crock Pot.
- Prepare the vegetables: Slice the onion and all three bell peppers into moderately thick slices to retain some texture during the slow cooking process.
- Layer ingredients in the Crock Pot: Begin by placing the browned ground beef at the bottom, then layer the sliced onions and bell peppers on top. Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper evenly over the layers.
- Add liquids and soup: Pour the cream of mushroom soup and beef broth over the layered ingredients, taking care not to stir, so the layers remain distinct.
- Slow cook: Cover the Crock Pot and cook on LOW heat for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2.5 to 3 hours to allow flavors to meld and vegetables to soften.
- Add the tortellini: About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, gently stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini, re-cover the Crock Pot, and continue cooking to let the pasta soften and absorb the flavors.
- Melt the cheese: Sprinkle the shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole, cover again, and let the cheese melt for approximately 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Gently stir the dish to combine slightly but maintain texture, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot for a hearty and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce with the seasonings.
- Use refrigerated tortellini for best results; frozen tortellini may require slightly longer cooking time.
- Drain excess fat thoroughly after browning the beef to reduce greasiness.
- For a vegetarian variation, substitute the ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated covered in the microwave or on the stovetop.
