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The Italian sausage tortellini served on a white plate, set on a beige linen with bread rolls and butter in the background.
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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.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword easy pasta dinners, tortellini
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
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