This tortellini with sausage recipe is a quick, easy, flavorful, and comforting dinner that's made all in one pan! Fewer dishes means more time to relax.
I really love the simplicity of this dish. Cheese tortellini is so versatile, and you can dress it up in so many ways.
I've been really loving cooking with Italian sausage these days. Not that it's a new revelation for me or anything, but I keep thinking up recipes that use it. It's one of my all-time favorite ingredients. Some of my best recipes are made with it, including this Creamy Tuscan Sausage Gnocchi (One Pan, 20 Minutes), my Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta, these Sausage Stuffed Peppers, and my Zuppa Toscana (Sausage, Bacon, Potato, and Kale Soup).
And there's quite a bit of spinach in here... it's a great way to sneak those greens into dinner. The spinach-sausage-tomato cream sauce combo is just so tasty. I went fairly light on the cream in this recipe, so it's definitely not too rich at all.
How to make this Italian sausage tortellini skillet
- Crumble the sausage meat into a skillet and brown it;
- Add the garlic, broth, tomatoes, cream, and tortellini to the pan; simmer until pasta is cooked and the sauce has reduced;
- Add in the spinach and cook until it wilts;
- Serve with freshly parmesan cheese if desired.
(full instructions are in the recipe card below)
You can definitely use hot Italian sausage if you want a little heat!
Easy peasy!
As I'm typing this up, it's just above freezing outside. And it's only September 27. Apparently it's supposed to snow in Calgary this weekend, but hopefully the snow will miss us. What the heck? I know I live in Canada and all, but it's TOO SOON.
More easy tortellini recipes you'll love:
- Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
- Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Cheese Tortellini with Butter, Mushrooms, and Crispy Sage
- Tomato Tortellini Soup
- Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup with Chicken
- Spinach Tortellini Salad
Will you give this tortellini with spinach and sausage recipe a try?
Questions? Leave me a comment below.
One Pan Tortellini with Sausage
Ingredients
- 10.6 ounces Italian sausages crumbled, see note
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 (14 fluid ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups loosely packed fresh baby spinach
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese to taste
Instructions
- Take the sausage meat out of the casings and crumble it into a skillet. Cook it over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it's browned. Drain the fat and leave the sausage in the pan.
- Add the garlic, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, cream, and tortellini. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the tortellini is cooked and the sauce has reduced to your liking. Cooking the tortellini in the sauce helps thicken it (it releases starch).
- Stir in the spinach and let it wilt. Season with salt & pepper as needed and serve with fresh parmesan sprinkled over top.
Notes
- I used 3 sausages from a 5-pack of Johnsonville mild Italian sausages. Anything around 10.6 oz will work, or you can even use more sausage meat if you wish. Try hot Italian sausages if you want some heat!
- I do not recommend substituting the heavy cream because the acidity in the tomatoes will likely curdle milk or half-and-half.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Sienna says
Love this recipe, my new favourite. Question though, could you freeze it?
Natasha says
Hi! I'm so glad! I don't like freezing cooked pasta (it can get puffy and kinda weird texture), but you can try with leftovers and see if it's ok for you.
Dee says
Kid tested, mother approved.
I doubled the recipe and did some hot and mild sausage! Delicious. “Why did you wait so long to make this for us!”
Natasha says
I love that!!! 😀
Linda says
Can I add chicken to this recipe?
Natasha says
I suppose, but if you're adding the sausage as well, I'm worried there won't be enough sauce to go around.
Heidi says
Seriously the best recipe I ever found on line. We love it. I have a garden full of tomatoes. Can I use Fresh (from the garden), ripe tomatoes instead of canned?
Natasha says
I'm so glad you like it, Heidi!! Yes, I think fresh would work great, but you may need to add a splash of liquid (broth, wine, etc.) so the one pot method works and it isn't too dry.
Monica Chidwick says
Can this be reheated please, and how to would be a help.
Natasha says
Hi! Yes, I would do it over a low heat on the stove in a covered saucepan. Keep in mind the tortellini will soak up the sauce the longer it sits, so you may need to add a splash more cream or broth if it's looking a bit dry.
Nicole says
Turned out great! I substituted half and half instead of cream, and I also added a scoop of Goya Sofrito and cream cheese to the sauce. It came out so creamy and flavorful!
Natasha says
Wonderful!
Vicki says
I made this recipe tonight for dinner and it was delicious! I added a little white wine and minced shallot. This a great week night dinner and tasted gourmet. Thank you for the awesome recipe.
Natasha says
I'm thrilled to hear that!! Thanks for your comment, Vicki! 😀
Linda says
Delicious! And slimple!!! Thanks
Natasha says
You're very welcome!
Erin says
Delicious! Doubled the recipe since I had a larger bag of tortellini. I added half a small onion while browning the sausage. Used my garlic bread to mop up the extra sauce on my plate. Will definitely make again. Super easy and quick!
Natasha says
So glad you liked it, Erin!
Michele says
Just made this recipe with Italian chicken sausage from a butcher!!! Aaaamazing!!!
Natasha says
Wonderful!! 😀
Karen says
Another 5 star recipe. Very simple. I used frozen tortellini and hot Italian Sausage And I did add a splash of white wine as it seemed to need a little more liquid.
Couldn’t see any reviews that said they used frozen tortellini but have no fear, it turned out great. Delicioso!!
Natasha says
Thank you so much, Karen! I'm so glad it worked out with frozen tortellini.
Judith says
Thank you for the post, I to have frozen tortellini and was wondering if it work.
Sylvia says
Loved loved loved the tortellini with sausage. I added more chicken broth and heavy cream and it came out perfect. Will be one of my go to for quick easy meals. Thank you😋
Natasha says
You're very welcome!!
Kelly Galyon says
Third time making this dish and it has become one of my favorites! Thank you for sharing it! We just love it!
Natasha says
Aww I love that!! Thanks for taking the time to write me a review, Kelly! 😀
Grace says
My only complaint is that my sauce turned out pink instead of orange like the picture. Other than that it was yummy
Natasha says
Hi! Adding cream to tomatoes will always produce a pinkish sauce. Screens, the light I used that day, etc., can all impact how the photo looks. Sounds like yours turned out perfectly. 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it!
Adele Blake says
I made this recipe earlier this week. I felt it needed more onions and it would have been perfect
Natasha says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!! Definitely add more onions next time. 🙂
Peggy says
This was a wonderful, fast easy dish. I used hot sausage, added a little white wine and tomato paste and fire roasted diced tomato. Will definately make it again.
Natasha says
Excellent!
Aj says
Could I substitute the diced tomatoes for rotel? Or what else could I use instead ? I don’t have any diced tomatoes 🙁
Natasha says
Rotel will work fine!
Sandra Barrett says
So good! And easy to make!! My family loves it
Natasha says
Wonderful!! Thanks, Sandra!
kayla says
Cant wait to try this! Can I sub out the can of diced tomatoes to crushed tomatoes?
Natasha says
Yes, but keep an eye on it as it may reduce faster as crushed tomatoes are thicker.
kayla says
commenting again to say this recipe was AMAZING!! I used crushed tomatoes (blended) because I don't like the tomato chunks and it still came out perfect!
Natasha says
That's great!! 😀
Jill K says
This turned out delicious and was a hit with my whole family. I have the frozen tortellini from Costco but it worked well even from frozen...
Natasha says
Excellent!!
JB says
This pasta dish is so simple but so much flavor. It was enjoyed by all. Served it with Caesar salad and garlic bread.
Natasha says
I'm thrilled to hear that!! 😀 Thanks for your 5-star review!
Abby says
Delicious! I sautéed half an onion with the sausage. I only had half and half, so I added 2oz cream cheese to my sauce. Easy and yummy!
Natasha says
So happy it worked out, Abby! 🙂
Michele says
This is so good.. thank you 😊
Natasha says
You're very welcome!! 🙂
Jewli says
Omg this has become one of my favorite meals! I like to add a little more broth and a little sour cream or mascarpone to help thicken the sauce, but it needs no improvement as it is written. Excellent recipe 🐷
Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says
That's so nice to hear!! Thanks for leaving a review. 🙂
Alex Johnson says
This is absolutely delicious, such an easy meal to make, not expensive either especially if you have ingredients on hand. Even my 17 month old loves it!
Natasha says
I'm so glad you like it!! 🙂 Thanks for your review, Alex!
Bethann says
Had to switch out frozen for fresh spinich, but still absolutely delicious! I will be making this again.
Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says
That's awesome! Thanks for giving it a try! 🙂
Erica Abduelal says
I veganize this and it was delicious
Natasha says
Fantastic! 😀
carolyn gardner says
Easy fast, can adjust ingredients to make it yours. Great recipe
Natasha says
Thanks so much!!
Jolene says
Great recipe for working folks...only improvement might be a bit more sauce, but maybe I cooked it a little too long. Will make it again :). Thanks!
Natasha says
You're very welcome!
Gaila says
I love your recipes! I cooked tortellini ahead and added lots of Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to sauce. Added more cream and broth to get a good amount of liquid! Delicious!
Natasha says
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Emily B says
A touch bland but *quick and easy* which is amazing for nights where we have activities. I didn't have cream so instead added a little extra water with the broth to get the liquid level up, and stirred in about 1/4 cup of cream cheese before adding the spinach.
Kayte says
Omg! So delicious and so easy! Can I give this a 10-star rating? Fabulous!
I had fire roasted diced tomatoes in my pantry and also tossed in a little Trader Joe’s Italian sofrito (because I’m addicted to it).
Prep is minimal (sometimes even with one-pan recipes I feel like I’m prepping… measuring, chopping, dicing…). Cleanup is done before the tortellini is done. Perfect weeknight dinner and this is in the meal rotation for sure!
All-in-all a complete winner!
Natasha says
Aww thank you!! So glad it was a hit!! 🙂 Appreciate your review!
Amy says
The picture looked yummy..so I figured I would give it a try.
(I like trying to make new recipes and always hoping for a winner.)
I made it for supper last night with garlic toast on the side.
Omg! This was AMAZING and the flavor was unbelievable! My husband says he gives it a 10 and I agree..,we have a Winner!
We will be having this again very soon! I am going to look to see what other gems that you may have..Thank you for this very amazing recipe!!
Natasha says
I'm so glad you decided to give it a try! 🙂 Appreciate your 5-star review, Amy! Let me know if you try anything else.
Jamie says
So easy and delicious. My husband loved it!
Natasha says
Fantastic!!
Emily Tunstill says
I never leave reviews but I can't not this time-- my husband and I are OBSESSED! This is my far our new favourite meal. Literally called home about it. It was so easy and tasty and SO AMAZING!
Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says
Amazing! So happy you both enjoy it so much. Thank you for the kind review!
Emily says
This was so quick, easy and DELICIOUS. I used half and half and it was fine. My only regret was not making more for lunches tomorrow. Thanks for the great recipe
Natasha says
So glad you liked it!
steph says
this was great and easy to pull off!
I used half and half and it was fine
Natasha says
Excellent!
Erin says
This recipe was so easy and delicious. I conveniently had all of the ingredients on hand. I love how everything was cooked in one pot and everybody in the family loved it (picky eaters too!). I made a double batch, and it came out perfectly. Thanks for sharing this gem!
Natasha says
That's so nice to hear, Erin!! 😀 You're very welcome!
Nicole Hayes says
I make this recipe all the time - so delicious.
Natasha says
Yay!! Thanks for your review!
Keri says
This recipe is a staple in my household! I have made it a few times as is and a few tweaked versions. Instead of diced tomatoes I used Rotel to give it a kick. I also have subbed out the sausage for ground chicken when I didn't have any! All equally amazing!
Natasha says
That's great to hear, Keri!! 🙂 Thanks for writing me a review!
Dorothy says
Just made this tonight and it was a big hit with everyone! I had everything already on hand so no trip to the store and all in one pan...perfect! It was delicious!
Natasha says
Fantastic!! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Linda says
Absolutely love this recipe. So easy so good. Ty
Linda Gray says
That’s ok I did really love it. It was versatile easy and very quick. If you don’t have cream use half and half It works. I have used ground turkey and added seasonings 30 minutes you are done easy clean up
Natasha says
You're welcome!! 🙂
Gina says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was very good! I doubled it, but changed the ratio of ingredients a bit so that I wouldn’t have any odd leftovers. I used a one pound package of Jimmy Dean hot sausage, a 19 oz bag of frozen tortellini, a 5.5 oz bag of spinach, and doubled all the sauce ingredients. I was a bit worried about the frozen tortellini, but I just threw it in and it cooked very well. I would definitely put a larger bag of spinach next time though! I did think it needed a bit more flavor so I added some Italian seasoning which balanced it well. Overall, it was a hit and I will definitely make again 🙂
Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says
I'm glad it worked out, Gina! Thanks for the review!