I prepare my Sausage Tortellini by browning Italian sausage with diced yellow onion and garlic in olive oil. I then mix in halved cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach, finishing with heavy cream and cubes of mozzarella. A sprinkle of Parmesan transforms cheese tortellini into a rewarding dish bursting with flavor.
I’m excited to share this twist on a classic that I made on a whim – Creamy Tortellini with Sausage, Spinach, Tomatoes, and Mozzarella. I started with 1 lb cheese tortellini and 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed), which gave it a nice robust flavor.
I briefly sautéed a small diced yellow onion with minced garlic in olive oil before adding juicy halved cherry tomatoes into the mix. Then I tossed in fresh spinach that wilted perfectly in the heat.
The real magic came when I poured in a cup of heavy cream and stirred until it started to thicken, just like one of those awesome mozzarella cheese sauces you’d find in a meat lovers pizza tortellini bake. Topped with cubed fresh mozzarella and a good sprinkle of grated Parmesan, this dish keeps me coming back for more every single time.
Enjoy!
Why I Like this Recipe
I really love this recipe because:
1. I love how the creamy sauce totally coats the tortellini so every bite is loaded with flavor.
2. I appreciate the mix of sausage, spinach, and tomatoes – they give the dish a good blend of hearty and fresh tastes.
3. I enjoy how the melted mozzarella and Parmesan make it both comfort food and fancy at the same time.
4. I like that it’s super simple to make on a busy night but still feels like a special meal.
Check out this tasty creamy tortellini with savory sausage, fresh spinach, juicy tomatoes and melty mozzarella. It might not be perfect every time but its the kind of dish that always hits the right spot for me and makes dinner feel special.
Ingredients
- Tortellini: Provides carbohydrates and protein for energy.
Its soft, thick dough is really comforting.
- Italian sausage: Brings lots of protein and a bit of spice.
It makes the dish hearty and bold.
- Fresh spinach: Packed with vitamins and fibre.
It adds a healthy, fresh crunch and lovely green color.
- Cherry tomatoes: These little gems are sweet and tangy.
They offer antioxidants and brighten up the flavor.
- Fresh mozzarella: Gives a creamy, gooey texture.
Its mild flavor makes every bite richer.
- Heavy cream: Makes the sauce velvety smooth and rich with fat.
It ties everything together.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb cheese tortellini
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 oz fresh mozzarella, cubed
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
How to Make this
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and crumble the sausage into the pan; cook it until it’s browned and cooked through.
3. Lower the heat a bit and add the diced onion to the sausage; cook for about 3 minutes until it softens, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes along with a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a slight kick, and let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and add salt and pepper to taste; stir well so the cream mixes with the flavors in the skillet.
6. Mix in the fresh spinach and let it wilt a little bit before returning the cooked sausage to the pan.
7. Add the drained tortellini to the skillet and gently toss everything together so the pasta gets well coated in the creamy sauce.
8. Stir in the cubed fresh mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, letting them melt slightly into the sauce.
9. Give everything a good taste, and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
10. Serve hot and enjoy this warm, creamy tortellini dish with a delicious mix of sausage, spinach, tomatoes, and melted cheese!
Equipment Needed
1. A large pot for boiling the salted water to cook the tortellini
2. A colander to drain the pasta after cooking
3. A large skillet to cook the sausage and to simmer all the sauce ingredients
4. A cutting board for dicing the onion and halving the cherry tomatoes
5. A sharp knife to chop the onion, garlic, and tomatoes
6. Measuring spoons and cups to accurately measure the olive oil, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes
7. A spatula or wooden spoon for stirring and mixing all the ingredients in the skillet
FAQ
Creamy Tortellini With Sausage, Spinach, Tomatoes, And Mozzarella Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Cheese tortellini – you can swap it out with spinach tortellini or even regular pasta like fusilli if that’s what you have on hand.
- Italian sausage – feel free to use ground turkey sausage if you want a lighter twist or even plant-based sausage for a veggie version.
- Heavy cream – you can substitute it with a mixture of half-and-half plus a bit of butter or use coconut cream if you’re going dairy-free.
- Fresh mozzarella – try using bocconcini or provolone as a replacement if you cant find fresh mozz.
- Grated Parmesan cheese – Pecorino Romano works fine if you’re after a stronger flavor or even a nut-free cheese alternative.
Pro Tips
1. Make sure you cook the tortellini just until al dente so it doesn’t turn mushy when you toss it with the creamy sauce later on. This way it holds up well and keeps a nice texture.
2. When browning that sausage, break it up into small pieces and let it get a good crisp without overcooking it. It really brings out a rich flavor that plays off the creamy sauce.
3. Be careful with the garlic. Stir it in close to the end of cooking the onions so it doesn’t burn and turn bitter. Burnt garlic can ruin the overall flavor of the dish.
4. If you want extra flavor and a little more creaminess, try adding a splash of pasta water when you mix in the sauce and cheese. This helps the cheese melt better and creates a smoother sauce overall.
Creamy Tortellini With Sausage, Spinach, Tomatoes, And Mozzarella Recipe
My favorite Creamy Tortellini With Sausage, Spinach, Tomatoes, And Mozzarella Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. A large pot for boiling the salted water to cook the tortellini
2. A colander to drain the pasta after cooking
3. A large skillet to cook the sausage and to simmer all the sauce ingredients
4. A cutting board for dicing the onion and halving the cherry tomatoes
5. A sharp knife to chop the onion, garlic, and tomatoes
6. Measuring spoons and cups to accurately measure the olive oil, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes
7. A spatula or wooden spoon for stirring and mixing all the ingredients in the skillet
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cheese tortellini
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 oz fresh mozzarella, cubed
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and crumble the sausage into the pan; cook it until it’s browned and cooked through.
3. Lower the heat a bit and add the diced onion to the sausage; cook for about 3 minutes until it softens, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes along with a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a slight kick, and let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and add salt and pepper to taste; stir well so the cream mixes with the flavors in the skillet.
6. Mix in the fresh spinach and let it wilt a little bit before returning the cooked sausage to the pan.
7. Add the drained tortellini to the skillet and gently toss everything together so the pasta gets well coated in the creamy sauce.
8. Stir in the cubed fresh mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, letting them melt slightly into the sauce.
9. Give everything a good taste, and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
10. Serve hot and enjoy this warm, creamy tortellini dish with a delicious mix of sausage, spinach, tomatoes, and melted cheese!
