Italian Sausage Tortellini

This Italian Sausage Tortellini is made with cheese tortellini and fresh Italian sausage in a homemade tomato cream sauce. It’s one of our favorite tortellini recipes.

This Italian Sausage Tortelliniis bursting with flavor. It’s definitely one of those recipes that everyone would rave over at a restaurant — but you can make it at home!Make this the next time you want everyone to RAVE over your cooking!!

My favorite thing about this tortellini recipe is that it’s another one of our signature One Pot Meals. It’s so easy to make, and everything cooks in one pan so you only have one dish to wash at the end of the night!

What is the difference between tortelloni and tortellini?

They’re the same shape, but tortelloni is a little bigger!

Italian Sausage Tortellini Ingredients

Here’s all you need to make one of our favorite tortellini recipes: Italian sausage, tomatoes, chicken broth, diced onions, cheese tortellini, cream, garlic, and fresh baby spinach.

Here’s what the Italian sausage looks like. You can usually find it in Mild, Hot, or Sweet. Johnsonville is a popular name brand that we love! I’m using mild today, but any version would work well here. Try Hot if you like a little spicy!

How to Make Italian Sausage Tortellini (Step by Step)

Start by heating a bit of olive oil in a very large (at least 12-inch) skillet. You could also use a Dutch oven.

When the oil is very hot, add the diced onions.

Next you’ll want to immediately add the Italian sausage. See the casing on the sausage here? For a long time I avoided cooking with Italian sausage because I didn’t want to deal with removing the casing. It just seemed like a pain. But I’m going to show you a trick that makes it SO ridiculously easy. Like so, so easy. I wish I had discovered this years ago!!

Just start near the end and squeeze. It comes right out. So easy. You can squeeze it directly into the pan. No muss, no fuss.

Now, I took a picture of me doing this, to show you exactly how easy it is, but let’s just say… It did not go well. It ended up looking…. uh…less than family-friendly. So, needless to say (since my mom reads this blog) I will not be subjecting you to that picture here. However, you’ll not be surprised to learn thatI did immediately text it to all my friends and we very maturely dissolved into a fit of uncontrollable giggles.

It was pretty bad. Kevin just shook his head and rolled his eyes, but I could tell he was mortified.

ANYWAY. Hopefully the picture above is sufficient. It really is easy.

Oh, and I’m sorry I said “squeeze” while pointing at a sausage. SORRY!!!

Please still make this recipe.

What kind of sauce to put on tortellini?

Personally I think a tomato cream sauce is the best for cheese tortellini! Add Italian sausage and you have honestly one of the best tortellini recipes!

How do you make tortellini sauce?

Add the broth, tomatoes, cream, and tortellini to the skillet.For this tortellini recipe you can use fresh or frozen tortellini. If the tortellini is frozen, you don’t even have to thaw it first.

Bring it all to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, the tortellini should be soft and plump, and the sauce slightly thickened. Taste the sauce and addplenty of salt and pepper as desired. I used 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.

Finally, add a couple big handfuls of fresh baby spinach. If you’re skeptical about the spinach, it’s totally optional, but gives the dish a nice bright green color. I promise you won’t be able to taste it at all.

Gently stir just until the spinach is softened and wilted.

Serve it up and enjoy!! Hope you love this Italian Sausage Tortellini!

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 33 reviews

Description

A quick and easy tortellini recipe with cheese tortellini, Italian sausage, and a creamy tomato sauce.

Scale

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups diced onions
1 lb mild Italian sausage
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
1/2 cup regular or heavy cream
9 ounces tortellini (fresh or frozen)
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups fresh baby spinach, loosely packed

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. When the oil is very hot, add the onions. Squeeze the sausage from the end of the link to remove it from its casing and add directly into the pan. Use a spatula to break up the sausage into bite-sized pieces. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned. Reduce heat to low, then add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add broth, tomatoes, cream, and tortellini to the skillet. Stir to combine. Increase heat and bring to a boil.
Cover, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until tortellini are tender and heated through. Taste the sauce and add plenty of salt and pepper to taste. I used 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Add spinach and stir until softened and wilted. Remove from heat and serve

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FAQs

What is the best way to serve tortellini? ›

These stuffed pasta shapes are delicious in a soup or served with vegetables, cheese and sauce. Need more speedy midweek suppers to make in a flash?

What is traditionally served with tortellini? ›

But the traditional way to serve tortellini is to serve it with a bowl of rich, flavorful chicken or beef broth. The meat broth enhances the flavor of the seasoned meat in the pasta. It makes the delicate seasonings in the filling pop and creates a wonderful layered flavor.

Is there a difference between tortelloni and tortellini? ›

Tortelloni is pasta in a similar shape, but larger, typically 5 g, vs. 2 g for tortellini. While tortellini have a meat-based filling, tortelloni are filled with ricotta and sometimes with parsley or spinach.

Tell Me More ›

Do Italians eat tortellini with sauce? ›

In Italy, meat tortellini are traditionally served in broth, but they are enjoyed with other toppings, too: cheese sauce, cream sauce, pesto or tomato sauce. There are also cheese versions of tortellini. Tortellini are also eaten for dessert!

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Can I eat tortellini without sauce? ›

If he's feeling extra hungry, we grill up some chicken and toss it in with the pasta- delicious and super easy. The tortellini alone is very filling, but without a heavy sauce like most pasta dishes.

Find Out More ›

Can you eat tortellini by itself? ›

Once your tortellini is cooked, savour by itself, toss with a fresh sauce, or use it in a delicious recipe. If you prefer chicken, shrimp or vegetables, tortellini are perfect for an elevated yet simple meal that the entire family will enjoy.

Discover More ›

What goes with tortellini for dinner? ›

The best side dishes to serve with tortellini are garlic bread, roasted vegetables, stuffed shells, chicken gnocchi soup, baked ziti, pizza pasta, Caesar salad, tomato bruschetta, Italian sausage, antipasto salad, steamed asparagus, and creamy polenta.

Get More Info Here ›

Is tortellini good for you? ›

Here are some of the key nutritional benefits of cheese tortellini: Protein: Cheese tortellini is a source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. Protein also helps with immune function and satiety, keeping you feeling full and satisfied.

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What does tortellini mean in Italian? ›

Typical from the Emilia Romagna region, tortellini is the world most famous filled pasta. Tortellino comes etymologically from tortello, a diminutive of torta, which means pie in italian. Tortellini are called so because they are filled just like little pies.

What is the difference between ravioli and tortellini? ›

Visually, the difference between ravioli and tortellini seems fairly obvious. Ravioli are usually square, with a flat underside and rounded top, with edges cut at a sharp angle and sometimes frilled with a fork. Tortellini are ring or navel-shaped, at times resembling a tiny croissant or even a wonton.

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What do Italians do with tortellini? ›

While tortellini can be used in a variety of hearty soups or covered with rich, delicious sauces, the main way Northern Italians enjoy this stuffed pasta is in broth.

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What is a fun fact about tortellini? ›

Tortellini is a type of pasta that is typically stuffed with a mix of meat or cheese. According to legend, tortellini was inspired by the navel of the goddess Venus. Many people believe that adding oil to the cooking water prevents pasta from sticking together.

Do you eat tortellini with a fork or spoon? ›

eating etiquette (how to eat...)

When pasta is served on a plate or in a shallow bowl, such as spaghetti, it is eaten with a fork, but if served in a deep bowl, such as ravioli, it is eaten with a spoon.

Show Me More ›

Do you eat tortellini by itself? ›

Once your tortellini is cooked, savour by itself, toss with a fresh sauce, or use it in a delicious recipe. If you prefer chicken, shrimp or vegetables, tortellini are perfect for an elevated yet simple meal that the entire family will enjoy.

Learn More ›

Do you eat tortellini with spoon? ›

Tortellini in brodo are not a pastasciutta. You are supposed to use a spoon with any minestra in bordo (soup), you are supposed to use the fork only with any minestra asciutta: pasta, risotto or polenta alike.

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What's the difference between tortellini and ravioli? ›

Ravioli are usually square, with a flat underside and rounded top, with edges cut at a sharp angle and sometimes frilled with a fork. Tortellini are ring or navel-shaped, at times resembling a tiny croissant or even a wonton.