Sausage Tortellini Skillet
Looking for an easy weeknight dinner that’s both hearty and flavorful? This Italian Sausage Tortellini Skillet is the perfect solution! With a creamy tomato sauce, tender tortellini, and a ton of flavor from the sausage, this dish will quickly become a family favorite. It all comes together in just one large skillet, making cleanup a breeze. A dish that is a great meal for the whole family.
This Cheese Tortellini recipe makes a fantastic weeknight dinner that’s quick, easy and requires minimal cleanup. It is a comforting, satisfying, hearty, and very filling meal. It combines tender tortellini with a savory sausage blend, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a meal on the table fast. Plus, the recipe is versatile, allowing you to customize it to suit your family’s tastes, ensuring it becomes a favorite on your weeknight dinner rotation.
We love Sausage recipes because they pack a ton of flavor into a single meal, like Italian Sausage and Pasta, BBQ Sausage Bites, Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables, and Sausage Tortellini Soup. They are all easy recipes and delicious easy dinners.
What Is Cheese Tortellini
Cheesy Tortellini are small, ring-shaped pieces filled with a blend of cheeses. It can be found fresh, frozen, or refrigerated, and it’s often served with various sauces, such as marinara, Alfredo, or creamy tomato sauces, making it a versatile and popular choice for many pasta dishes.
Why We Love Pasta Dishes
In our home, pasta dishes are always a hit. Something about the combination of tender pasta and rich sauces brings comfort and joy to our table. This Italian Sausage Tortellini Skillet is no exception. It’s a fast and fabulous dish that can be enjoyed any night of the week. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend evening, this recipe delivers a delicious meal without the hassle. With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, it’s no wonder my family can’t get enough of it!
- Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights with a short cooking time.
- Versatile: Easy to customize with different types of tortellini, sauces, and add-ins.
- Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will enjoy.
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses common ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Ingredients Needed
The ingredients are simple and easy to find in most grocery stores. The recipe card below provides a complete list of ingredients and amounts.
Italian Sausage—You can use hot or mild Italian sausage. My family likes the hot Italian sausage, so I use it from time to time.
Onion— Use what you have in your refrigerator. A white, yellow, or Vidalia onion will work nicely.
Italian Seasoning — A little goes a long way and adds tremendous flavor.
Minced Garlic — I prefer to use the minced garlic in a jar for convenience.
Cheese Tortellini—If available, I use refrigerated tortellini. You can find this in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
Cream Cheese — A block of cream cheese thickens the sauce and adds a ton of flavor and creaminess.
Marinara Sauce — Feel free to make homemade sauce, but the jarred sauce works just fine. You could also swap the marinara sauce for your favorite pasta sauce.
Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese—This recipe requires shredded cheese. I like to buy it in a block and shred it myself, but pre-shredded cheese will also work.
How To Make Italian Sausage Tortellini
This is an overview of the steps to make this easy tortellini skillet meal. Please see the recipe card below for complete steps and ingredients for making this creamy sausage dish.
Easy Step By Step Instructions:
- Brown the sausage.
- Cook the Tortellini.
- Combine more ingredients and simmer.
- Add tortellini and cheese.
- Serve.
Recipe Tips
Consider these tips when preparing this dish to make this Italian Sausage Tortellini Skillet even simpler and tastier.
- Prep Ahead: Chop the onion and measure the ingredients before cooking.
- Fresh Tortellini: Use fresh/ refrigerated tortellini for quicker cooking and a tender texture.
- Drain Grease: After browning the sausage, drain any excess grease.
- Cheese Melting: Let the dish sit covered for a few minutes to ensure the cheese melts perfectly.
Recipe Variations
This versatile recipe can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences.
- Protein: Try different sausages or ground beef for a different taste.
- Tortellini: Use frozen tortellini if you don’t have fresh.
- Sauce: Substitute homemade marinara sauce, store-bought marinara sauce, or alfredo sauce for a different flavor.
- Vegetables: Add fresh spinach, a diced bell pepper, or other favorite fresh ingredients for extra flavor.
- Cheese: Experiment with cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
How to Serve
Serving this Italian Sausage Tortellini Skillet is simple and can be paired with easy sides to complete the meal. It’s a perfect dish for casual family dinners or entertaining guests. A side of garlic bread, corn, and a fresh salad will complement the flavors beautifully.
How To Store and Reheat Leftovers
Storing leftovers of this Italian Sausage Tortellini Skillet is simple and you can enjoy this delicious meal even on the busiest of days. Keep the dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator to stay fresh for a few days.
Reheating is easy. You can reheat this dish on the stovetop or microwave. It will thicken as it cools, so you’ll need to add a little bit of heavy cream or milk to help maintain the creamy consistency while reheating.
More Pasta Meals
Chicken and Pasta Casserole with Bacon
More Pasta Side Dishes
Sausage Tortellini Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Italian Sausage hot or mild
- 1 small Onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 20 oz. package Refrigerated Cheese Tortellini
- 24 ounce Marinara Sauce
- 8 ounce Cream Cheese
- 1½ cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- olive oil
Instructions
- To a large skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil, ground sausage, chopped onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Brown the meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink.
- While the meat is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Add a family-size tortellini to the boiling water, and cook according to the package directions.
- Once the meat has finished browning, drain the grease. Add a jar of marinara sauce and stir well.
- Add a block of cream cheese. Stir well until the cheese has melted.
- Drain the cooked tortellini and add to the sauce.
- Mix well. Add mozzarella cheese and stir well. Remove from heat and add parmesan to the top. Cover with the lid and allow to sit for 5 minutes while the cheese melts. Serve.