Description
This One Pan Tortellini with Sausage is a hearty and easy meal featuring Italian sausage, creamy tomato sauce, and tender cheese tortellini all cooked together in a single skillet. Fresh baby spinach adds a touch of color and nutrition, while the optional parmesan cheese topping adds a savory finish. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 11 ounces Italian sausages
Produce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups loosely packed fresh baby spinach
Pantry
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dairy
- 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, optional, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Remove the sausage meat from the casings and crumble it into a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned. If there is excess fat, drain most of it while keeping the sausage in the pan.
- Add aromatics and liquids: Stir in the minced garlic, chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juices, heavy cream, and refrigerated cheese tortellini. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes or until the tortellini is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking. Cooking the tortellini in the sauce allows it to release starch, which helps thicken the sauce.
- Finish with spinach and seasoning: Stir in the fresh baby spinach and cook just until it wilts. Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese over the top before serving.
Notes
- The recipe uses about 11 ounces of Italian sausage, which is approximately 3 sausages from a 5-pack of Johnsonville mild Italian sausages. You can use more or less sausage as preferred, and hot Italian sausages can be used for added spice.
- Do not substitute the heavy cream with milk or half-and-half, as the acidity from the tomatoes may cause curdling.
- If excess fat remains after browning the sausage, draining it will make the dish less greasy.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with baby kale or other leafy greens, though cooking time may vary slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
