Description
Enjoy a hassle-free meal with our Slow Cooker Tortellini Casserole with Cheesy Chicken & Pesto—comfort food made easy! This dish combines tender tortellini, succulent chicken, and a burst of flavor from the pesto, creating a delightful meal that will excite your taste buds and leave everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesy Tortellini:
- 1 pound cheese-filled tortellini
Chicken Breasts:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pesto:
- 1 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
Spinach:
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen)
Enchilada Sauce:
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
Shredded Cheese:
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Garlic:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Onion:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Start by chopping the onion and mincing the garlic. If using fresh spinach, wash and chop it as well. Prepare your chicken breasts by cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
- Layer the Slow Cooker: In the bottom of the slow cooker, layer the chicken pieces, followed by the chopped onion, minced garlic, and spinach evenly across the surface.
- Add the Sauces: Pour the pesto and enchilada sauce over the layered ingredients, ensuring everything is well-coated with flavor.
- Include the Tortellini: Add the tortellini on top, gently pressing it into the sauce mixture without stirring to prevent clumping.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Add Cheese and Serve: About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top and cover for the cheese to melt. Stir gently before serving.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the time to ensure the tortellini does not become mushy.
- Layer Ingredients: Layering instead of stirring at the beginning prevents the tortellini from clumping together.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, opt for fresh garlic and herbs for enhanced flavor.
- Adjust for Thickness: If you prefer a thicker casserole, reduce the amount of enchilada sauce slightly.
- Taste as You Go: Give the mix a taste before serving and add seasoning if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: slow cooker, tortellini, casserole, cheesy chicken, pesto, comfort food