Description
This Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini recipe is a flavorful and comforting one-pan dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring tender cheese tortellini simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with browned Italian sausage, garlic, onions, diced tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese, it’s an easy Italian-American dish that satisfies without fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Pasta and Dairy
- 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pantry
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (drained)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: In a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned and cooked through, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the drained diced tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine all ingredients, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors together.
- Cook tortellini: Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini to the skillet and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini is tender and cooked through.
- Finish with spinach and cheese: Stir in the fresh baby spinach and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the sauce becomes creamy and cohesive.
- Season and serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve the creamy sausage tortellini hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Frozen tortellini can be substituted; just extend the cooking time by a couple of minutes to ensure they cook through.
- Swap out spinach for kale or arugula for a different leafy green variation.
- Add mushrooms for extra heartiness and texture in the sauce.
- Drain the diced tomatoes well to avoid watery sauce.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
