Italian cuisine has always had a special place in my heart and my kitchen. There’s just something about the rich flavors, the comforting textures, and the vibrant colors that turns every meal into an occasion.
It’s all about those hearty flavors, that pop off the plate and say, “Hey, let’s celebrate!”
Now, I’m going to let you in on one of my top-drawer faves: Italian Sausage and Tomato Skillet Tortellini.
it’s as tantalizingly delicious as it sounds and so simple to whip up!
This meal is an al dente tortellini generously coated in a savory tomato sauce, paired with the zesty kick of perfectly browned Italian sausage.
Are you drooling yet?
Because I certainly am, every single time I even think about making this dish. It’s got everything, a touch of spice, a splash of herbal charm, and a whole lot of comforting goodness.
But let me back up a minute and tell you why this recipe is part of my regular rotation. A few years ago, while wandering through a lively street market in Italy, I tasted a tortellini dish that frankly, flipped my world upside down.
Why This Dish is Like My Foodie BFF
Let’s rewind for a sec. This dish and I go way back. It all started with this one amazing tortellini I had at a buzzing market in Italy that completely rocked my taste buds.
It was like a flavor firework show, and I’ve been chasing that high ever since. This recipe right here? It’s the real deal. It brings a little piece of Italian flair right into your home.
So, tie on that apron and let’s take a food trip to the heart of Tuscany, no passport needed!
The key advantages to preparing this amazing meal in a single skillet include super easy clean-up and a wonderful integration of flavors by preparing everything including the tortellini in the same skillet.
Make sure you keep an eye on the cooking time for the tortellini you bought to avoid overcooking. Just go with the lowest al dente cook time recommended for your brand.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
2 T. Extra virgin olive oil
1 Medium onion, diced
2 Medium garlic cloves, minced
1/2 lb. Italian sausages, casings removed
2 c. Cherry tomatoes, halved
3 c. Marinara sauce
1 c. Beef broth, preferably low sodium
12 oz. Frozen tortellini, not thawed
3 c. Baby spinach
1/4 c. Heavy cream
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/4 c. Fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (plus more for garnish)
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté 2-3 minutes or until the onion and garlic begin to soften and become fragrant. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the Italian sausages to the skillet breaking them apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until the sausages are browned and mostly cooked through, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add sliced cherry tomatoes, marinara sauce, and beef broth.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the frozen tortellini and cover with a lid. Reduce heat to medium and cook to the lowest time on package instruction for al dente, usually around 6-8 minutes.
- Uncover and stir in the baby spinach and heavy cream.
- Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes or just until the spinach wilts.
- Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired, remembering that the parmesan will add saltiness to this dish.
- Stir in the parmesan and fresh basil.
- Serve immediately with a beautiful garden salad and bread sticks.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Tip: To easily cut cherry tomatoes in half, place tomatoes between two deli lids and press down with the palm of one hand and slice all of the tomatoes at the same time with a serrated bread knife in between the two lids. Works like a charm.
- Don’t skimp on the simmer. Letting the sauce and sausage mingle enhances the flavor. Also, if your sauce gets too thick, loosen it up with a touch more broth.
Italian Sausage and Tomato Skillet Tortellini
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Serves: 4
- 2 T. Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Medium onion (diced)
- 2 Medium garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/2 lb. Italian sausages (casings removed)
- 2 c. Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 3 c. Marinara sauce
- 1 c. Beef broth (preferably low sodium)
- 12 oz. Frozen tortellini (not thawed)
- 3 c. Baby spinach
- 1/4 c. Heavy cream
- 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1/4 c. Fresh basil leaves (roughly chopped (plus more for garnish))
- Sea salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté 2-3 minutes or until the onion and garlic begin to soften and become fragrant. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the Italian sausages to the skillet breaking them apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until the sausages are browned and mostly cooked through, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add sliced cherry tomatoes, marinara sauce, and beef broth.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the frozen tortellini and cover with a lid. Reduce heat to medium and cook to the lowest time on package instruction for al dente, usually around 6-8 minutes.
- Uncover and stir in the baby spinach and heavy cream.
- Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes or just until the spinach wilts.
- Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired, remembering that the parmesan will add saltiness to this dish.
- Stir in the parmesan and fresh basil.
- Serve immediately with a beautiful garden salad and bread sticks.
- Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This dish is versatile!
Feel free to switch up the sausage for a lighter chicken variety, or keep it veggie-friendly with some roasted bell peppers.
When it comes to serving, I say the more the merrierbso garnish with plenty of fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan.
Conclusion
The Italian Sausage and Tomato Skillet Tortellini is easy to make and even easier to gobble up. Everything’s done in one single skillet, so you won’t be stuck cleaning a pile of pots and pans. Instead, you’ll have all the time you need to enjoy each and every tasty bite.
Why not try it out. Your friends, your family or even your little one (yes, the one who’s a die-hard mac ‘n’ cheese fan) will be all over you with high-fives. And you?
and you? You’ll feel like an Italian chef in your very own cucina, basking in the glow of a meal well made and bellies well filled.
