Step 1 — Brown the Beef
Cook ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium heat.
Drain excess fat and set aside.
Step 2 — Build the Creamy Sauce
In your slow cooker, whisk together:
Alfredo sauce
Cream soup
Beef broth
Ranch seasoning
Garlic powder
Black pepper
Make sure the mixture is smooth and blended.
Step 3 — Add the Beef
Stir the cooked ground beef and onions into the creamy sauce.
Step 4 — Add the Tortellini
Pour in the frozen cheese tortellini.
Gently stir to coat every piece in the sauce.
Step 5 — Slow Cook
Cook on:
LOW for 3–4 hours, or
HIGH for 1½–2 hours
Tortellini should be tender and sauce slightly thickened.
Step 6 — Make It Extra Creamy
Stir in mozzarella (and cheddar if using).
Cover for 5–10 minutes until cheese melts into the sauce.
Step 7 — Garnish & Serve
Serve warm with a sprinkle of dried parsley.
Add garlic bread or a salad for the perfect complete meal!
20 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use fresh tortellini instead of frozen?
Yes — reduce cook time to 1½–2 hours on LOW.
2. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely.
3. Can I add vegetables?
Yes — broccoli, peas, spinach, or mushrooms work great.
4. Can I use homemade Alfredo sauce?
Yes, but jarred is perfectly fine.
5. Can I make this spicy?
Add chili flakes or Cajun seasoning.
6. Will tortellini get mushy?
Not if cooked on LOW and stirred gently.
7. Can I skip the cream soup?
You can, but the sauce will be thinner.
8. Can I double the recipe?
Only if using a large (7–8 qt) slow cooker.
9. Can I freeze leftovers?
Pasta + dairy doesn’t freeze well — best eaten fresh.
10. Can I use a different pasta?
Tortellini gives best texture, but ravioli works too.
11. Can I add cream cheese?
Yes — 4 oz makes it even richer.
12. Can I use chicken broth instead?
Yes — flavor will be slightly lighter.
13. Can I leave out the ranch?
Yes — add Italian seasoning instead.
14. Can I add garlic cloves?
Yes — 2–3 cloves adds great depth.
15. Can I add Parmesan?
Absolutely — adds amazing flavor.
16. Can I cook on HIGH the whole time?
Yes — just watch tortellini near the end.
17. Can I use low-fat Alfredo?
Yes, but sauce will be thinner.
18. Do I need to stir during cooking?
Only once halfway through if possible.
19. Can I make this for a crowd?
Perfect for potlucks — very filling and rich.
20. Is this kid-friendly?
Very — creamy, cheesy, mild flavors kids love.
