Crockpot Bacon Cheeseburger Tortellini
I love cheeseburgers. I love pasta. And most of all, I love an easy weeknight dinner that takes very little prep and that everyone at my table will actually eat! So this week I set myself the mission to combine all three, and this crockpot bacon cheeseburger tortellini turned out so well and ticks all the boxes.
We’ve got all the classic flavors of a bacon cheeseburger—savory beef, smoky bacon, tangy mustard, and melty cheddar—with tender cheese tortellini in a rich, comforting sauce. It’s a cozy slow cooker meal that practically makes itself while you go about your day, and that’s always a win.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
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Kid-approved: The cheesy, bacon-packed flavors make this a hit with families and even picky eaters (ask me how I know).
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Perfect for busy weeknights: Minimal prep and the slow cooker does most of the work.
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Hearty and comforting: A satisfying dinner that feels like classic comfort food.
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Great for leftovers: It reheats well for easy lunches the next day.
I think you’ll also love my crockpot chicken fajita pasta, crockpot beef and broccoli, crockpot chicken ramen, crockpot tater tot casserole, and crockpot Mexican pulled pork!
Ingredients
Please note that there’s a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post that covers ingredients, measurements, and instructions. I do recommend reading the coming sections first though, to help you to understand a little more about the recipe and create the best results.
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Ground beef: The hearty base of the dish that gives it that classic cheeseburger flavor. Browning it beforehand helps build flavor and keeps the sauce from getting greasy.
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Salt: Helps season the beef and bring out all the savory flavors in the dish.
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Black pepper: Adds a little warmth and balances the richness of the beef and cheese.
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Garlic powder: A simple way to add extra savory flavor that pairs well with the beef.
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Paprika: Adds a mild smoky warmth and helps round out the seasoning.
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Diced onion: Gives the dish that classic cheeseburger-style flavor and softens nicely as it cooks.
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Bacon: Brings smoky, salty flavor that really sells the “bacon cheeseburger” vibe. Some gets cooked into the dish and the rest is sprinkled on top.
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Diced tomatoes: Adds a little acidity and moisture to balance the richness of the beef and cheese.
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Beef broth: Helps create the base of the sauce while adding extra savory depth.
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Tomato sauce: Thickens the sauce and adds a subtle tomato flavor similar to what you’d find in a cheeseburger-style sauce.
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Yellow mustard: A small amount adds that signature tangy cheeseburger flavor.
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Cheese tortellini: Makes the dish hearty and comforting while adding extra cheesy goodness.
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Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into the sauce to give the dish that classic cheesy bacon cheeseburger flavor.
How To Make Crockpot Bacon Cheeseburger Tortellini (Step-by-Step With Photos)
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Add the ground beef, diced onion, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, half of the crumbled bacon, and the drained diced tomatoes to the slow cooker.
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Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and mustard, then stir everything together until well combined.
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Cover and cook on low for about 3 hours to allow the flavors to develop.
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Stir in the cheese tortellini, making sure they’re mostly submerged in the sauce.
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Continue cooking for another 30–40 minutes, until the tortellini are tender.
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Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until it melts into the sauce and becomes creamy.
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Top with the remaining bacon and let the dish sit for about 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken slightly.
Can I Make This Ahead?
Yes, you can absolutely prep parts of this recipe ahead of time, which makes it great for busy family schedules.
You can brown the ground beef and cook the bacon a day in advance, then store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble everything in the slow cooker. Chopping the onion ahead of time also helps cut down on prep when dinner time rolls around.
When you’re ready to cook, just add everything to the crockpot and let it do the work. The tortellini and cheese are added toward the end, so the meal still comes together quickly even on hectic weeknights.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm gently on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. If the sauce has thickened in the fridge, stir in a splash of broth or milk to loosen it back up.
Recipe Notes
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Drain the diced tomatoes well before adding them to the slow cooker so the sauce doesn’t become too thin.
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Cook the bacon until it’s nice and crisp. This helps it keep some texture in the sauce instead of getting soft.
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Freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, which can sometimes make sauces slightly grainy.
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If the sauce thickens too much after adding the tortellini, stir in a small splash of warm beef broth to loosen it up.
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Add the tortellini toward the end of cooking. This keeps it from getting too soft while the beef mixture develops flavor.
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Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken slightly and coat the tortellini better.
Substitutions & Variations
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Ground turkey: Ground turkey can be used instead of ground beef if you’d like a slightly lighter version.
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Colby Jack cheese: Swap the cheddar for Colby Jack for a milder, extra creamy flavor.
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Fire-roasted diced tomatoes: These add a deeper, slightly smoky flavor to the sauce.
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Half-and-half: Replace a portion of the beef broth with half-and-half if you’d like the sauce to be a little richer and creamier.
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Add pickles: Stir in some finely diced pickles at the end for a fun cheeseburger-style twist.
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Classic burger flavor: A tablespoon of ketchup mixed into the sauce adds that familiar burger taste.
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Green onions: Sprinkle chopped green onions on top before serving for a fresh pop of flavor.
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Sautéed mushrooms: Stir in sautéed mushrooms if you want to add a little extra savory depth to the dish.
Crockpot Bacon Cheeseburger Tortellini
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef browned and drained
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup diced onion
- 12 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, divided
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 20 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Add the ground beef, diced onion, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, half of the crumbled bacon, and the drained diced tomatoes to the slow cooker.
- Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and mustard, then stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover and cook on low for about 3 hours to allow the flavors to develop.
- Stir in the cheese tortellini, making sure they’re mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Continue cooking for another 30–40 minutes, until the tortellini are tender.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until it melts into the sauce and becomes creamy.
- Top with the remaining bacon and let the dish sit for about 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken slightly.
If you’re looking for a dinner that’s hearty, comforting, and easy enough for a busy weeknight, this crockpot bacon cheeseburger tortellini is a great one to keep in your rotation. It’s packed with cheesy, savory flavor and comes together with minimal effort thanks to the slow cooker.
Serve it up with a simple side salad or some garlic bread, and you’ve got a meal the whole family will happily dig into. Once you try it, I’d love to hear what you think! Your feedback means so much to me, and it helps me to create more recipes you’ll love making at home. You can leave a comment below, or tag me on Instagram @slimmingviolet and #slimmingviolet.
