Introduction
Remember those cozy nights in, the kind where the aroma of something delicious fills the kitchen and the only thing on your mind is pure comfort? This One-Pan Sausage Tortellini recipe is designed to bring back those feelings, with a modern twist that makes it incredibly doable, even on your busiest evenings. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug, but takes hardly any time or effort. Get ready to discover your new go-to dinner!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, you’ll be sitting down to a delicious meal in under 30 minutes.
- Easy: Minimal prep, one pan, and straightforward steps mean less stress and more enjoyment.
- Giftable: This dish is fantastic for a potluck or to share with a friend who needs a little culinary love.
- Crowd-pleasing: Even the pickiest eaters tend to adore this combination of savory sausage, cheesy tortellini, and creamy sauce.
Ingredients
Gather ’round, kitchen adventurers! Here’s everything you’ll need for this delightful one-pan wonder. It’s all about simple, wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully.
- 11 ounces sausage: Your favorite kind works here! Italian sausage (mild or hot) is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: The fragrant soul of so many great dishes. Freshly minced is best for that punchy flavor.
- 1/4 cup chicken broth: This adds a little liquid magic to get our sauce started.
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices: The sweetness and acidity of the tomatoes are key to balancing the richness. Don’t toss those juices!
- 1/2 cup heavy cream: Hello, creamy deliciousness! This makes the sauce wonderfully luxurious.
- 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini: The star of the show! These cook right in the sauce, absorbing all the yummy flavors.
- 2 cups loosely packed fresh baby spinach: A little green goodness to add color and a touch of freshness. It wilts down so easily!
- Salt and pepper to taste: The essential seasonings to bring out all the flavors.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional: Because everything is better with a sprinkle of salty, nutty Parmesan!
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! Put on your favorite apron, maybe hum a little tune, and let’s make some magic happen in just one pan.
- Brown the Sausage: Grab your favorite large skillet. Add your sausage and cook it over medium heat. Use your spoon to break it up into nice, bite-sized crumbles. Keep cooking until it’s all beautifully browned and cooked through. Once it’s done, I like to carefully drain out any excess grease to keep things from getting too heavy.
- Add the Garlic: Now, toss in your minced garlic. Stir it around with the sausage for about a minute, until you can really smell its amazing aroma. Be careful not to burn it – we just want it fragrant!
- Build the Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth and the entire can of diced tomatoes, juices and all. Give it a good stir and bring it all up to a gentle simmer. This is where the flavors start to meld together.
- Creamy Goodness and Tortellini: Stir in that luscious heavy cream. Then, gently add your refrigerated cheese tortellini right into the simmering sauce.
- Cook the Tortellini: Cover your skillet and let it cook for about 8 to 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the tortellini are tender and plump, having soaked up all that delicious sauce.
- Wilt the Spinach: Uncover the skillet and stir in your fresh baby spinach. It looks like a lot, but it will magically wilt down in just a minute or two from the heat of the sauce.
- Season to Perfection: Now’s the time for tasting! Add salt and pepper to your liking. I usually start with a pinch of each and then add more if needed.
- Serve and Enjoy: Spoon this comforting dish into bowls. If you’re feeling fancy (or just love cheese!), sprinkle with a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and bask in the glory of your easy, delicious meal!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is wonderfully forgiving, and you can totally make it your own! Here are a few ideas:
- Sausage Swap: No sausage on hand? Try cooked diced chicken, ground turkey, or even crumbled plant-based sausage for a vegetarian option.
- Cheese Tortellini Alternative: If you can’t find cheese tortellini, any filled pasta like ravioli or even regular pasta shapes will work, though cooking times may vary.
- Veggie Boost: Feel free to toss in other veggies like chopped bell peppers (add them with the garlic), mushrooms (add them with the sausage), or peas (add them with the spinach).
- Spice It Up: Love a little heat? Use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic.
- Broth Power: If you don’t have chicken broth, vegetable broth or even water will work in a pinch.
Tips for Success
A few little secrets to make your One-Pan Sausage Tortellini absolutely perfect every time.
- Don’t Overcook the Tortellini: Keep an eye on them. Overcooked tortellini can become mushy. They cook quite quickly in the sauce.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sauce before serving. You might need a little more salt or pepper depending on your ingredients.
- Prep Ahead: You can mince your garlic and have all your ingredients measured out before you start cooking. This makes the actual cooking process super speedy.
- Medium Heat is Your Friend: Cooking over medium heat ensures everything cooks evenly without scorching.
How to Store It
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This dish reheats beautifully.
Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it seems a bit dry. You can also microwave it, stirring halfway through.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I use dry pasta instead of tortellini?
A: Yes! You can use regular pasta like penne or rotini. You’ll likely need to add a bit more liquid (broth or water) and cook it according to package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
Q: Is this recipe very spicy?
A: It depends on the sausage you use! Mild Italian sausage will make it very mild, while hot Italian sausage will add a kick. You can also add red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Q: Can I make this creamy sauce dairy-free?
A: You can try using full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free heavy cream alternative. The flavor profile might change slightly, but it should still be delicious!
One-Pan Sausage Tortellini
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Spoon for breaking up sausage
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring spoons
- Airtight container for leftovers
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 11 ounces sausage Your favorite kind (Italian sausage recommended)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 0.25 cup chicken broth
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach loosely packed
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- optional Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into crumbles. Cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease.11 ounces sausage
- Add minced garlic and stir for about a minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.11 ounces sausage
- Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes with juices. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.11 ounces sausage
- Stir in heavy cream, then add the refrigerated cheese tortellini.11 ounces sausage
- Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, until tortellini are tender and plump.11 ounces sausage
- Uncover and stir in baby spinach until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.11 ounces sausage
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.11 ounces sausage
- Serve immediately, optionally topped with Parmesan cheese.11 ounces sausage