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Cheesy Tortellini with Ground Beef (Freezer Slow Cooker Version for 6+ people)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb extra lean ground beef (I use organic, grass-fed beef)
  • 1 small white or yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 tsp jarred minced garlic)
  • 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles (drain slightly if you want less heat)
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 19-oz packages frozen cheese tortellini (add on day of cooking)
  • 8 oz mozarella cheese, shredded (add on day of cooking)
  • 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (add on day of cooking)
  • 1 cup water (add on day of cooking)

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients except for tortellini, cheeses and water; add to gallon-size ziplock bag.  
  • Break up the raw ground beef by squishing the sealed bag slightly with your fingers.  Freeze until day prior to serving.
  • Defrost in refrigerator overnight before the day of cooking.
  • Add all ingredients from freezer bag to slow cooker; cook approximately 8 hours on low until ground beef cooked through.  *Cook times will vary greatly depending on slow cooker.
  • Add 1 cup water; stir.  
  • Add the 2 packages of frozen tortellini, stir.
  • Top with the shredded cheeses and cook until tortellini is cooked through, approximately 40 minutes.