• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cook2eatwell
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Cuban Recipes
  • About Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Cuban Recipes
  • About Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipe Index
    • Cuban Recipes
    • About Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Pasta Dishes

    Italian Sausage Tortellini

    Published: Nov 6, 2023 by Elizabeth · Leave a Comment

    • Share
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    The sausage tortellini served on a white plate, set on a beige linen with bread rolls and butter in the background.

    This Italian sausage tortellini makes an easy weeknight meal that combines pantry staples with fresh ingredients to make a hearty dinner the whole family will enjoy. This is a great recipe for busy nights because the prep work is a snap, and it’s ready in under an hour.

    The Italian sausage tortellini served on a white plate, set on a beige linen with bread rolls and butter in the background.

    If you’re loving the Italian sausage and tortellini combination, try our popular Italian sausage tortellini soup and this simple and hearty cheesy tortellini pasta bake. They’re both easy tortellini recipes that are budget-friendly and satisfying.

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Cook’s note
    • Storing and reheating instructions
    • One final note

    Ingredients

    The ingredients for the pasta dish prepped and arranged in glass bowls on a white table with each one labeled with small, black letters.
    • Sausage – The sauce for this pasta dish is made with Italian sausage. We use mild Italian, but sweet and hot Italian sausage will work just as well. The great thing about Italian sausage is that it’s a flavorful and versatile ingredient that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. For more inspiration see this collection of Italian sausage recipes.
    • Pasta – We use dry cheese-filled tortellini for this recipe. It’s convenient because it has a longer shelf life than fresh. Look for it in the pasta section of larger supermarkets. Fresh tortellini can be substituted. You can find it in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Take care not to overcook it, leave it al dente.
    • Produce – Onions (yellow or white), garlic, and fresh spinach give this pasta dish a homemade without a long cooking time.
    • Pantry – Convenience ingredients make this dish easy. Jarred pasta sauce gives us a head start. Use a meatless variety since we are adding the sausage. Canned diced tomatoes add texture and flavor to the sauce.
    • Seasoning – This semi homemade sauce is seasoned with Italian seasoning and black pepper. We also need salt for the pasta water.
    • Oil – We use olive oil to get the sausage started but you can substitute your favorite oil.
    • Optional garnish – Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes make tasty options for serving.
    • See recipe card for quantities and preparation method.

    Instructions

    1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes to brown. Stir often and break up larger pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula. Remove excess oil rendered if desired (see cook’s note).
    2. Next, lower the heat to medium and add the diced onions. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
    3. Then, add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stir often.
    4. Add the pasta sauce and the diced tomatoes. Stir well and let the sauce come to a simmer. Then, lower the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. In the meantime, cook the tortellini following the package directions. Drain well.
    5. Add the spinach to the sauce a handful at a time. Stir well until it wilts then add another handful.
    6. Lastly, add the cooked tortellini to the sauce. Stir well to combine, cover, and let it warm for 5 minutes.
    Six pictures showing the steps to making the sausage tortellini.

    Serve the sausage tortellini pasta with parmesan cheese, chopped fresh herbs, and crushed red pepper, if desired. Add a piece of crusty bread, homemade garlic bread, and a side salad for a delicious meal.

    Cook’s note

    Drain some (or all) of the excess fat rendered by the sausage after browning, if desired. Take the pan off the heat. Mound the sausage to one side and tip the pan so that the oil pools opposite the meat. Use a ladle or large spoon to remove the excess.

    The Italian sausage tortellini served on a white plate, set on a beige linen with bread rolls and butter in the background.

    Storing and reheating instructions

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To freeze, place it in a freezer-safe container and refrigerate until it is chilled. Then, cover well, transfer it to the freezer and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

    Reheat it in the microwave until hot all the way through. Alternatively, place the desired portion in a saucepan, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or chicken broth to loosen. Warm it on the stovetop on medium heat until hot, stir occasionally.

    You can also place it in an oven-safe dish, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or broth to loosen it, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F until hot throughout.

    Always heat leftovers to 165° F. For more information on food storage and safety guidelines visit U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodsafety.gov.

    One final note

    This Italian sausage tortellini is a comfort food meal the entire family will enjoy. If you’re feeding little ones skip the spicy Italian sausage and opt for sweet sausage instead. You can also sub in Italian chicken sausage (or turkey) if you want something leaner than pork sausage.

    For more tasty recipes to get you through the week try our creamy tortellini with broccoli, these simple Italian sausage meatballs and one of our easiest recipes, baked Italian sausage and potatoes.

    Subscribe to the Newsletter for the latest recipes and more.

    The Italian sausage tortellini served on a white plate, set on a beige linen with bread rolls and butter in the background.
    Print Recipe
    No ratings yet

    Italian Sausage Tortellini

    This Italian sausage tortellini makes an easy weeknight meal that combines pantry staples with fresh ingredients to make a hearty dinner the whole family will enjoy.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time45 minutes mins
    Total Time55 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: easy pasta dinners, tortellini
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 484kcal
    Author: Elizabeth

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 pound Italian Sausage casings removed and torn into small pieces or use bulk sausage
    • 1 Small Onion finely diced
    • 3-4 Garlic Cloves minced
    • ½ teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 1 (24 ounce) jar Pasta Sauce meatless variety (use your favorite brand)
    • 1 (14 ounce) can Diced Tomatoes do not drain
    • 16 ounces Dry Tortellini cooked to package directions (use cheese filled tortellini, spinach and cheese, or your favorite)
    • Salt for the pasta water
    • 3 ounces Fresh Spinach
    • Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper, fresh herbs, for serving optional

    Instructions

    • Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage. Cook 4-5 minutes to brown. Stir often and break up larger pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula. Remove excess oil rendered if desired (see cook’s note).
    • Next, lower the heat to medium and add the diced onions. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
    • Then, add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stir often.
    • Add the pasta sauce and the diced tomatoes. Stir well and let the sauce come to a simmer. Then, lower the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet and cook the sauce for 30 minutes.
    • Keep the sauce at a simmer. Raise or lower the heat as needed and stir occasionally.
    • In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the tortellini following the package directions. Drain well.
    • Add the spinach a handful at a time to the sauce. Stir well until it wilts then add another handful.
    • Lastly, add the cooked tortellini to the sauce. Stir well to combine, cover, and let it warm for 5 minutes.
    • Serve with parmesan cheese, chopped fresh herbs, and crushed red pepper, if desired. Add a piece of crusty bread and a side salad for a delicious meal.

    Notes

    Optional step if needed: Drain some (or all) of the oil rendered after browning the sausage, if desired. Take the pan off the heat. Mound the sausage to one side and tip the pan so that the oil pools opposite the meat. Use a ladle or large spoon to remove the excess.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 1404mg | Potassium: 576mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1527IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 3mg
    The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate.This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.

    More Pasta Dishes

    • The creamy tortellini with broccoli served in a white bowl set on a red and white striped linen with a fork in the background.
      Creamy Tortellini with Broccoli
    • The finished tortellini bake, garnished with parsley, in a white casserole dish set on a blue table with a beige and blue linen.
      Tortellini Bake
    • Two white bowls with the broccoli macaroni and cheese set on a green table with a piece of bread and white napkins and forks to the left side.
      Broccoli Mac and Cheese
    • The finished pizza pasta bake in a white casserole dish set on a blue table with a white linen.
      Pizza Pasta Bake
    • Share

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    aboutus

    Hi, I’m Elizabeth! welcome to Cook2eatwell. Food is my favorite subject; I like to cook food, talk about food, write about food, and most importantly, eat food. Lucky for me, my husband Eddie feels the same way. 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • The potato corn chowder garnished with bacon bits and chives served in a white bowl.
      Easy Potato Corn Chowder
    • The spinach artichoke bites served on a wood board with salsa and chips in the background.
      Spinach Artichoke Bites
    • The roasted pork butt served on a gray platter with fresh herbs around it.
      Easy Oven Roasted Pork Butt with Garlic and Herbs
    • The reuben casserole in a white dish set on a teal and white striped kitchen towel.
      Reuben Casserole

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Cook2eatwell