Crockpot Mediterranean Tortellini

There’s no cream, no sautéing, and no complicated steps. Just throw it all in, walk away, and come back to dinner being done, which is exactly the way I personally prefer!

Frozen Tortellini: The Ultimate Low-Effort Dinner

I threw this together one afternoon when I needed something low-effort but a little different from the usual creamy tortellini or red-sauce pasta. I had leftover salami in the fridge, a half jar of pepperoncini, and frozen tortellini, so I figured why not. It turned out so good that now I make it on purpose.

If you’re into Crockpot tortellini recipes but want something without cream or sausage, this is a nice switch-up from the classic Crockpot Tortellini Sausage Soup.

What You’ll Need to Make It

This tortellini meal uses a mix of pantry staples, cured meat, and frozen pasta. You will also need a crock pot and this is one of the (many) that I own.

Here’s a quick overview of what makes it work:

Canned Goods: Great northern beans and diced tomatoes form the base. Don’t drain the tomatoes, you’ll want that extra liquid and flavor. The beans add texture and make the dish more filling.

Salami: Go for hard salami or dry-cured varieties. The firmer the better, so it doesn’t fall apart while slow cooking. I cut mine into thick cubes so it holds its shape.

Pepperoncini Peppers: You can adjust the amount depending on how bold you want the flavor. Drained!

Seasonings: A mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper gives the dish a Mediterranean vibe. If you love heat, feel free to toss in a pinch of crushed red pepper.

Frozen Cheese Tortellini: No need to thaw. You just toss it in straight from the freezer. It holds up perfectly and absorbs all the flavor as it cooks.

Chicken Broth: Just enough to simmer the ingredients and soften the tortellini. Since this isn’t a soup, you don’t need much liquid.

Toppings: Sliced black olives and crumbled feta cheese take this from good to addictive. I feel like you should never skip a topping opportunity- a “toppertunity” if you will.

How to Make Crockpot Mediterranean Tortellini

Add drained and rinsed beans, undrained can of tomatoes, salami, drained pepperoncini, spices, frozen tortellini, and broth to your Crockpot. Stir everything together.

Cover and cook on low for 2½ hours, stirring once or twice if you’re nearby. That’s all it needs.

Serve warm in bowls and top with black olives and feta. It’s not brothy, so it eats more like a pasta bowl than a soup.

What I’ve Learned Making This

Salami adds all the richness. Go with a firm, dry salami, not greasy or paper-thin. I’ve even used peppered salami, which added great flavor.

Keep the tortellini frozen. It goes in right from the freezer and turns out tender without falling apart.

If you’re looking for something more traditional and creamy, check out this Crockpot Tortellini Recipe.

Storing and Reheating

Leftovers keep well for about three days. Store in an airtight container and reheat on the stove or in the microwave. I usually add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up a little, since the pasta will absorb more liquid overnight.

I don’t freeze leftovers because the tortellini’s texture tends to become mushy after cooking, freezing, and then rethawing.

And if you’re looking for even more ways to use tortellini, don’t miss our newest recipe for Taco Tortellini. It’s another easy meal that brings tortellini to the table!

Make sure to pin this on pinterest and save it when you need an easy meal idea.