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.

20 Helpful Tips