Cheese Tortellini with Sausage, Spinach, Tomatoes and a Cream Sauce
This cheese tortellini with sausage skillet recipe is a quick and easy dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is the perfect comforting meal for busy weeknights.
This one-skillet creamy sausage tortellini recipe is about to become your new family favorite! It’s packed with flavor, incredibly easy, and ready in under 30 minutes – perfect for those hectic nights when everyone is hungry. The best part? You only need a single large skillet and simple ingredients to make this easy recipe for a cheesy tortellini dish the whole family will love!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
- One-Skillet Meal: Less cleanup with everything cooked in a single pan.
- Family-Friendly: Creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor – even picky eaters will love it.
- Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to fit your family’s taste preferences.
- Comfort Food at Its Best: A hearty, satisfying meal that brings warmth to the table.
Ingredients You Will Need
Here is what you will need to make this creamy tortellini skillet:
- Ground Italian Sausage: Choose mild Italian sausage for a family-friendly option or hot for a spicy kick.
- Herbs and Spices: Minced onion and minced garlic.
- Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and creamy base for the sauce.
- Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature, it thickens the sauce and adds creaminess.
- Chicken Broth: Adds richness to the sauce, balancing the creaminess.
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes (undrained): These tomatoes add a burst of smoky flavor and vibrant color to the dish. Leaving the juice in adds extra moisture and flavor.
- Cheese Tortellini Pasta: Pre-packaged fresh tortellini or frozen tortellini works well for this pasta dish.
- Fresh Spinach (optional): This vegetable adds nutrients to the dish. It wilts quickly and has a fresh flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
Special Tools (affiliate links): Large Skillet (3.5 qt)
How to Make Creamy Tortellini with Sausage
This easy weeknight dinner is perfect for busy nights. Here is how to make it:
- Crumble Sausage & Brown: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease using a colander or slotted spoon.
- Sauté & Season: Add the minced onion and minced to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Sauté over medium heat for 1 minute.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Lower heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, and chicken broth. Stir constantly until the cheese melts and creates a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Simmer & Flavor: Add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained) and simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Cook the Tortellini: Stir in the cheese tortellini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Avoid overcooking, as cooked tortellini should have a pillow-like shape and tender texture.
- Wilt the Spinach (Optional): If using baby spinach, add it at the last minute of cooking and stir until it is wilted.
- Season & Serve: Remove from heat and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve with garlic bread or homemade dinner rolls for a complete meal!
Recipe Tips
- Use a Blender: Blend the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth for 30 seconds before adding to the skillet for a smoother sauce, then add to the skillet. (step 3)
- Picky Eater Tip: Blend the fire-roasted tomatoes with the creamy sauce to create a uniform texture.
- Great Way to Add More Flavor: Garnish with fresh basil, parsley, red pepper flakes, or parmesan cheese.
Storing Leftovers
- Transfer to an Airtight Container: Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate: Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Heat in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 375°F until warm.
What to Serve with Tortellini and Sausage
This hearty sausage skillet dish is filling on its own, but pairs well with:
- Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls: Soft and flavorful.
- Garlic Bread: The best thing to soak up that creamy sauce!
Cheese Tortellini with Sausage, Spinach, Tomatoes and a Cream Sauce
A quick and easy one-skillet creamy tortellini recipe with Italian sausage, cheese, and a rich tomato-cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this hearty dish is perfect for busy weeknights and sure to become a family favorite!
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sausage
- 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 14 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 19 ounces tortellini – refrigerator section of the grocery store
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves, optional
- salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease using a colander or slotted spoon.
- Add the minced onion and minced to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Sauté over medium heat for 1 minute.
- Lower heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, and chicken broth. Stir constantly until the cheese melts and creates a smooth, creamy sauce. (See note below for another option)
- Add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained) and simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Stir in the cheese tortellini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Avoid overcooking, as cooked tortellini should have a pillow-like shape and tender texture.
- If using baby spinach, add it at the last minute of cooking and stir until it is wilted.
- Remove from heat and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve with garlic bread or homemade dinner rolls for a complete meal!
Notes
- Use a Blender: Blend the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth for 30 seconds before adding to the skillet for a smoother sauce, then add to the skillet. (step 3)
- Picky Eater Tip: Blend the fire-roasted tomatoes with the creamy sauce to create a uniform texture.
- Great Way to Add More Flavor: Garnish with fresh basil, parsley, red pepper flakes, or parmesan cheese.
About Sarah
Wife. Mother. From-Scratch Cook. Homemaker.
I’m Sarah, the creator of Rocky Hedge Farm, where I share my love for simple living, homemade meals, and creating a cozy home. As a wife and mother, I’m passionate about slowing down, cooking from scratch, and finding joy in the everyday moments of life. From DIY projects and family-friendly recipes, I hope to inspire others to embrace a life rooted in simplicity and warmth.
looks devine…thank you.
Have you ever used frozen tortellini?
Yes, you can use frozen tortellini.
I made this recipe last night and it was so good! And it makes a lot if you have a big family. Had it again for lunch and it heated up great. Highly recommend!
This is SOOO good. We made some variations ( like using tomato paste instead of fire roasted tomatoes) and left out the spinach (lots of picky eaters in our house). It was so easy to make using easy ingredients and it was perfect. My husband said we should try some rotisserie chicken in it next time instead of the italian sausage. But honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing about how we made it.
Love hearing that you enjoyed it and made it your own! Tomato paste is a great swap, and I totally get skipping the spinach for picky eaters. Rotisserie chicken sounds like a delicious twist for next time! 😊🍲