Slow Cooker Pink Sauce Tortellini
This Slow Cooker Pink Sauce Tortellini is the ultimate answer to busy weeknights when you’re craving restaurant-quality creamy pasta without standing over the stove. Made with just 5 simple ingredients, this easy slow cooker pasta recipe delivers a rich, velvety pink sauce the perfect blend of marinara and cream while the tortellini cooks up tender and flavorful all in one pot.
Instead of whisking cream on the stovetop, this hands-off slow cooker recipe uses a block of cream cheese that melts directly into the tomato sauce, creating a smooth, blush-colored sauce with almost no effort. It’s cozy, comforting, and family-friendly, yet elegant enough for a casual date night or weekend dinner. If you love creamy pasta recipes, slow cooker meals, and easy comfort food, this is one you’ll make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Pink Sauce Tortellini:
5 ingredients only budget-friendly and pantry-simple
Slow cooker pasta recipe no boiling, no whisking, no stress
Creamy pink sauce rich, smooth, and restaurant-style
Kid-approved & crowd-pleasing perfect for family dinners
Easy to customize add protein or veggies with minimal effort
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or tomato pasta sauce
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, cubed
½ cup milk or half-and-half
1 (20–24-ounce) bag frozen cheese tortellini
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving, optional)
Directions:
Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with olive oil or nonstick spray for easy cleanup.
Add the marinara sauce to the slow cooker and stir in the milk or half-and-half until combined.
Scatter the cubed cream cheese over the sauce. No need to fully stir it will melt as it cooks.
Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours, until the cream cheese is very soft. Stir well to form a smooth, creamy pink sauce.
Add the frozen cheese tortellini and Parmesan cheese. Stir to coat evenly.
Cover and cook on LOW for 30–45 minutes, stirring once halfway, until the tortellini are tender. Avoid overcooking.
Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm with extra Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley.
Variations & Pro Tips:
Lighten it up: Use Neufchâtel cheese and 2% milk
Add protein: Stir in cooked Italian sausage, rotisserie chicken, or meatballs
Sneak in veggies: Frozen spinach, peas, or broccoli work perfectly
Add heat: Red pepper flakes or Calabrian chili paste give it a spicy kick
Great for meal prep: Leftovers reheat well with a splash of milk
This easy slow cooker pink sauce tortellini is proof that you don’t need complicated steps or fancy ingredients to make a creamy, comforting pasta dinner everyone loves.
