Cheesy Slow Cooker Tortellini

This Cheesy Slow Cooker Tortellini is the ultimate lazy recipe for macaroni and cheese. There is almost no prep, just add the 10 ingredients to the slow cooker and let it cook the recipe for you.

We can’t wait to share our viral Cheesy Slow Cooker Tortellini, it’s the easiest version of noodles with a 3 cheese sauce that will make your friends and family say “wow.” It’s one of those pasta recipes that our family requests for an easy dinner on a weeknight or as a side dish during a potluck.

If you love a cheesy pasta recipe, be sure to also try our Crock Pot Mac and Cheese and Cheesy Taco Tortellini.

Lots of our reader’s love this recipe too, check out what they have to say:

“This looks AMAZING just the way it is…..and you could totally add Chicken, broccoli to it….the possibilities are ENDLESS! Thank you.”

– Carol

“I made this tonight for my 16 year old son who is a Mac and cheese snob. He was hesitant but he spooned out a healthy portion and said he found the new Mac and cheese. It is truly delicious. So flavorful and creamy. Thank you so much for this awesome recipe.” – Dana

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• 3 cheeses in this tortellini and cheese sauce. We make it extra rich and decadent by using cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and American cheese for the best flavor.
• No prep time for this pasta recipe. Just add all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do the cooking for you.
• A great side dish or main course. We’ve served this both ways depending on the occasion. It pairs well with proteins like brisket, ribs, barbecue pork and more.

Ingredients

• Cheese tortellini: The pasta base for the cheesy tortellini. You can buy frozen, fresh, or shelf stable.
• Whole milk: The liquid that makes the cheese sauce the right consistency.
• Heavy cream: Adds all the decadent and rich creaminess to the sauce.
• Dijon mustard: Gives bright flavor to the sauce.
• Shredded sharp cheddar: Our favorite cheese for this delicious sauce.
• Smoked paprika: Adds nice smoky flavor in every bite.
• Garlic powder: Infuses every bite with garlic flavor.
• Black pepper: Adds a bit of spiciness to compliment the creamy cheese sauce.
• Cream cheese: Our secret ingredient that gives the sauce the best texture.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness in every bite.
• American cheese: The best melting cheese, it’s a great combination with the cream cheese and cheddar cheese.

How to Make Cheesy Slow Cooker Tortellini

1. In the bowl of a slow cooker add the cheese tortellini, whole milk, heavy cream, dijon mustard, shard shredded cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cream cheese, butter, and American cheese slices.
2. Turn the slow cooker on low heat for 2 hours, stirring every hour. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Grate your cheddar cheese from scratch. It’s better than buying the pre-shredded which has a powder on it that can make the cheese sauce grainy.
• With the tortellini noodles, you can buy the frozen, shelf-stable, or the refrigerated noodles. We always have some at home to make a recipe like this quickly on a weeknight.
• If your cheese sauce is too thick, then stir in some warm milk to thin it to the right consistency. If it’s too thin, you can mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 teaspoon of water and stir it into the sauce. Let it cook for 20 minutes to thicken.
• Change up the flavors. You can try different cheeses like Monterey jack or pepper jack for a hint of spice. Try adding canned green chilies, or even frozen bell peppers for a Tex-Mex twist. You can also use other spices like chili powder, cumin, or garlic powder for a new take on the recipe.
• Try adding mix-ins. We also love to stir in frozen broccoli or shredded chicken for a twist on the classic flavors.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave for a couple of minutes, adding a splash of milk to thin the sauce to the right consistency.

We don’t recommend freezing slow cooker tortellini and cheese as it will change the texture of the noodles and sauce once thawed.

This is a great recipe to make in advance for a party and keep warm in the slow cook for up to 2 hours after it’s done.

FAQs

What is the best kind of tortellini to buy?
You can use fresh, frozen or shelf-stable. We like to keep frozen tortellini in the house at all times so we can make an easy dinner.

Can I use another type of cheese?
Yes, just be sure it’s a good melting cheese. Shredded cheddar, gruyere, or gouda are other good options.

Could I add chicken to this tortellini and cheese?
Shredded rotisserie chicken would be delicious in this cheesy tortellini. Just stir it in about 15 minutes before you are ready to serve to warm through.

More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

• Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Dip
• Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup
• Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
• Slow Cooker Steak and Gravy

Slow Cooker Tortellini and Cheese

This Slow Cooker Tortellini and Cheese is the ultimate lazy recipe for macaroni and cheese. There is almost no prep, just add the 10 ingredients to the slow cooker and let it cook the recipe for you.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours

Servings: 8 servings

Video

Ingredients

• 24 oz cheese tortellini
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1.5 tsp black pepper
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 8 slices American cheese

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Instructions

• Throw everything in the slow cooker.
• Turn slow cooker on low.
• Stir every hour, should be ready after 2 hrs. Enjoy!

Notes

Storage: 
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave for a couple of minutes, adding a splash of milk to thin the sauce to the right consistency.

We don’t recommend freezing slow cooker tortellini and cheese as it will change the texture of the noodles and sauce once thawed.

This is a great recipe to make in advance for a party and keep warm in the slow cook for up to 2 hours after it’s done.

Tips:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave for a couple of minutes, adding a splash of milk to thin the sauce to the right consistency.

We don’t recommend freezing slow cooker tortellini and cheese as it will change the texture of the noodles and sauce once thawed.

This is a great recipe to make in advance for a party and keep warm in the slow cook for up to 2 hours after it’s done.