This Slow Cooker Tortellini Casserole with cheesy chicken and pesto is pure comfort food. All you need is a crock pot and a few simple ingredients to make an easy recipe that the entire family loves.
Why You'll Love it
This slow cooker tortellini casserole with cheesy chicken and pesto is pure heaven!
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok and dreaming of a new recipe that combines ease with flavor, I got you! You're in for a treat with our Slow Cooker Tortellini Casserole with Cheesy Chicken and Pesto!
In this dish, you'll find Tender tortellini, succulent chicken, and a pesto-infused cheesy sauce. It all melds together and gets absolutely delicious as it cooks in the slow cooker.
This recipe is designed to fit seamlessly into your week, making it perfect for any night of the week when you need something both comforting and effortless. Trust us, from the first time your whole family takes their first bite, they'll be begging you to make it on a regular basis.
And if you’re new to slow cooking, this is one of my favorite recipes to start with. Be sure to check out the referral links at the bottom of the post for the best (and cutest!) slow cooker to help make this a staple in your kitchen!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cheese Tortellini: Cheese-filled tortellini are my favorite in this delicious pasta bake. But if you wanted something different for this slow cooker recipe, go for it! Try spicy ground sausage tortellini or spinach and cheese tortellini pasta.
- Roasted Red Peppers: I love roasted red peppers because they add a pop of color and freshness. You could also substitute or add fresh mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, or even marinated artichoke hearts.
- Chicken Breast: Tender chicken pulled from a rotisserie chicken breast is my go-to method because it's easy and my kids love it. If you want something different, try adding ground beef or some italian sausage. Or you could use a lean meat like cooked ground turkey or chicken.
- Cream Cheese: I love the tang that cream cheese adds to this slow cooker tortellini pasta bake recipe. But if you're not a fan, try adding ricotta cheese which is more mellow.
- Whole Milk: This simple recipe is best with a cup of whole milk. But you could absolutely swap it for a cup of water but it won't be nearly as creamy.
- Garlic Powder: You don't need a lot of spices in this slow cooker meal since the pesto is so flavorful. But if you're swapping the pesto for something else, you could add some italian seasoning blend or some dried italian herbs.
- Kosher Salt: Kosher salt is recommended while making this cheesy crockpot tortellini recipe. If you use sea salt, just dial it back a bit so it won't become too salty.
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: Like any great recipe, black pepper should be added for a finishing touch! Unless you hate it, in that case, good news - you can leave it out and it will still be a delicious dinner!
- Parmesan Cheese: I love the nuttiness that parmesan cheese adds. But you could leave it out if you don't have any. Or swap it for another aged italian cheese.
- Mozzarella Cheese: The best part about this easy recipe is that you can add whatever cheeses you like to this pasta dish! Whether it's some shredded Italian blend cheese or a handufl of pecorino romano. feel free to add what you've got to this cheesy tortellini recipe!
- Pesto: Not a fan of pesto? No worries, mix in your favorite marinara sauce or meat sauce or even a small can of spaghetti sauce. You could even layer the fresh tortellini with italian sausage, some pasta sauce and some ricotta to make it like a tortellini lasagna.
Detailed Instructions
Making this slow cooker tortellini casserole is a total breeze! I love that you just add everything to a crockpot then relax while it does all the work!
- Add Ingredients the Crockpot: To begin, add cheese tortellini, red peppers, shredded cooked chicken breast, cream cheese, milk, garlic powder, kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper and parmesan cheese to a crockpot and stir.
- Slow Cook Ingredients: Place the lid on and cook for 1 hour and 45 minutes on high (or medium-high heat if your crockpot has the option), stirring halfway through.
- Stir in the Pesto & Add Cheese: Remove the lid and stir in the pesto then top with mozzarella cheese.
- Melt Cheese Topping: Place the lid back on and cook for another 15 minutes until melted and gooey.
- Serve: Serve with more parmesan cheese and enjoy!
- Save Leftovers: Place leftovers in an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It's best the next day but it can last up to 4 days.
What to serve with Tortellini
After a long day, this slow cooker tortellini casserole really hits the spot. Especially when you serve it with a simple side salad and some garlic bread. If you want to add some more easy recipes to make this homemade meal even better, try some of these:
- Cacio e pepe green beans and carrots
- Summer Peach and Tomato Salad with Halloumi & Hot Honey
- Easy Italian Grinder Salad Recipe (Viral on Tiktok!)
And if you want more tortellini recipes, try this Tuscan Tortellini Soup or this Chicken Tortellini Alfredo recipe.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Tortellini Casserole with Cheesy Chicken & Pesto
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 oz Fresh Cheese Tortellini 1.5 lbs
- 1 cup Roasted Red Peppers finely diced
- 1 medium Rotisserie Chicken Breast shredded
- 1 8 oz block Cream Cheese cubed
- 3 cups Whole Milk
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- Fresh Cracked Pepper
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- ½ cup Pesto
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Add cheese tortellini, red peppers, chicken breast, cream cheese, milk, garlic powder, kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper and parmesan cheese to a crockpot and stir.
- Place the lid on and cook for 1 hour and 45 minutes on high, stirring halfway through.
- Remove the lid and stir in the pesto then top with mozzarella cheese.
- Place the lid back on and cook for another 15 minutes until melted and gooey.
- Serve with more parmesan cheese and enjoy!
