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.
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.
Ingredients
- 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
- 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).
- 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 and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. In the meantime, cook the tortellini following the package directions. Drain well.
- Add the spinach to the sauce a handful at a time. 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 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.
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.
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Italian Sausage Tortellini
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.
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