Crock Pot Cheese Tortellini And Meatballs With Vodka Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• To cook in a slow cooker: Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add the oil. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides to create a beautiful crust, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Deglaze the pan with the vodka and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom. Transfer the liquid from the pan to a slow cooker.
• Add the marinara sauce, heavy cream, salt and pepper to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Add the meatballs. Cook on high until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is thickened slightly, 2 to 4 hours. When ready to serve, top with fresh cheese and torn basil leaves.
• To cook on the stove top: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat and add the oil. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides to create a beautiful crust, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the meatballs to a plate, leaving behind as much of the oil in the pot as possible. Add the vodka and cook for about 30 seconds to deglaze the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom.
• Add the marinara sauce, heavy cream, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Turn the heat to low, return the meatballs back to the pot and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is thickened slightly, 30 to 45 minutes. When ready to serve, top with fresh cheese and torn basil leaves.

Steps:

• In large bowl, mix Meatball ingredients. Shape mixture into 12 round meatballs.
• In 6-quart slow cooker, mix diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add meatballs to slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on High heat setting 3 hours or on Low heat setting 6 hours or until meatballs are completely cooked through.
• Add tortellini; cover and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until soft.
• Serve meatballs and tortellini with Parmesan cheese and basil.

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except cheese in crock pot.
• Cook on low for 6 hours.
• Serve in bowls topped with cheese.
• Can also serve with garlic bread and a salad.