Creamy Pesto Tortellini with Smoked Turkey Sausage: Your Ultimate 20-Minute Weeknight Dinner
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time for a delicious, home-cooked meal can feel like a luxury. We all crave wholesome, flavorful dinners, but often the thought of spending hours in the kitchen, or the temptation of quick takeout, wins out. What if we told you there’s a recipe that marries convenience with gourmet taste, delivering a vibrant, satisfying meal in less than 20 minutes? This Creamy Pesto Tortellini is precisely that – a game-changer for busy weeknights, featuring tender cheese tortellini bathed in a rich, garlicky pesto cream sauce, elevated with savory smoked turkey sausage. It’s a dish so quick and packed with bold flavors, you’ll wonder why you ever considered ordering in.
The allure of a homemade meal that rivals restaurant quality, but is on your table in the same amount of time it takes for delivery, is undeniable. Dishes like our Chicken Lo Mein perfectly encapsulate this philosophy. But for a taste of Italy without the fuss, this creamy pesto tortellini truly shines. It’s a simple yet sophisticated dish that brings comfort and joy to your dinner table, proving that quick doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality or taste.
My profound love for pesto means I seize every opportunity to incorporate its fresh, herbaceous magic into my cooking. From quick weeknight staples to more elaborate preparations, pesto adds an unparalleled depth of flavor. While Italian Turkey Cutlets are a fantastic way to enjoy its essence, this creamy pesto sauce reaches new heights when paired with the delightful chewiness of cheese tortellini. To transform it into a complete, protein-packed meal, I’ve added smoked turkey sausage, infusing the dish with a wonderful smoky counterpoint to the vibrant pesto. The result is an incredibly creamy, intensely flavorful dinner that’s both indulgent and incredibly easy to prepare – a perfect solution for any night of the week when time is of the essence but flavor is non-negotiable.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Pesto Tortellini
There are countless reasons why this Creamy Pesto Tortellini is destined to become a regular in your meal rotation. First and foremost, its incredible speed is unmatched. In under 20 minutes, you can have a gourmet-tasting dinner ready, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy your evening. Beyond its rapid preparation, the dish boasts an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. The plump, cheese-filled tortellini provides a comforting base, while the rich cream sauce, infused with aromatic garlic and fresh pesto, creates a luxurious coating. The addition of savory smoked turkey sausage not only adds a hearty protein element but also introduces a delightful smoky depth that beautifully complements the herbaceous pesto. It’s a versatile recipe, easily adaptable to various dietary preferences and ingredients you might have on hand. Plus, with minimal cleanup, it’s a true win-win for any busy cook.
Key Ingredients for Your Pesto Masterpiece
Before diving into the cooking process, let’s gather our simple yet powerful ingredients. You’ll find the complete, printable recipe card with exact measurements at the very bottom of this post.
- Butter: The foundation for our rich sauce, butter adds a layer of depth and helps sauté our protein to perfection.
- Smoked Turkey Sausage: This is my go-to for a quick, flavorful protein that adds a wonderful smoky undertone. However, don’t hesitate to customize! Feel free to swap it out for cooked chicken breast (shredded or diced), succulent shrimp, crumbled Italian sausage, or even a vegetarian alternative like sautéed mushrooms or cannellini beans for a different twist. The key is to choose a protein that you love and that cooks relatively quickly.
- Fresh Cheese Tortellini: The star of our pasta dish! Fresh tortellini cooks incredibly fast and provides those delightful pockets of cheesy goodness. While fresh is recommended for speed and texture, frozen tortellini can also be used; just follow package directions for boiling.
- Heavy Cream & Milk: This combination strikes the perfect balance between richness and a slightly lighter feel. Heavy cream delivers that luscious, velvety texture, while a touch of milk (I use skim, but any milk will work) helps to thin the sauce just enough without sacrificing creaminess, also helping to cut down on a bit of the fat and calories. For an even richer sauce, you can use all heavy cream, or for a lighter option, try half-and-half.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan is non-negotiable for an authentic, savory depth in your sauce. It melts beautifully and provides a salty, umami kick that ties all the flavors together.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the vibrant flavors in the dish. Always taste and adjust to your preference.
- Pesto: The heart of this recipe! Whether you opt for a vibrant homemade pesto or a high-quality store-bought variety, the choice is yours. A homemade pesto, like our Spinach Pesto, offers unparalleled freshness and can truly elevate the dish, but a good store-bought pesto will still yield fantastic results. Don’t stress over it – use what you have readily available!
The beauty of this creamy pesto sauce extends far beyond tortellini. This versatile sauce is quickly becoming a beloved staple in my kitchen, a testament to its incredible flavor and ease of preparation. Imagine it tossed with perfectly al dente spaghetti, topped with grilled chicken for a satisfying meal, or perhaps folded into a delicate shrimp pasta for a lighter, yet equally indulgent, option. The magic is in how quickly it comes together – from the first ingredient hitting the pan to the final garnish, you can genuinely have a full, flavorful dinner on the table in just 20 minutes. This makes it an ideal choice for those hectic weeknights when you need a delicious meal without the extensive cooking time, freeing up your evening for other activities or simply unwinding.
How to Make Your Creamy Pesto Tortellini
Crafting this quick and delicious Creamy Pesto Tortellini is incredibly straightforward, following just a few simple steps. You’ll start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil for your fresh tortellini, cooking it according to package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. While the tortellini cooks, in a large skillet, melt a generous knob of butter. Add your sliced smoked turkey sausage and sauté it over medium-high heat until it’s beautifully browned and slightly crispy, releasing all its savory aromas. This quick browning step adds immense flavor to the dish. Next, combine the heavy cream, milk, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper in a bowl, then pour this luscious mixture over the cooked sausage in the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and develop a creamy consistency. Finally, drain your cooked tortellini and add it directly to the skillet, tossing gently to ensure every piece is thoroughly coated in the rich, velvety sauce. The absolute final step is to stir in the vibrant pesto until it’s completely blended through. A crucial tip here is to incorporate the pesto right at the end to preserve its fresh flavor and vibrant color. Give it a final taste, and adjust salt and pepper if needed, then serve immediately. This method ensures maximum flavor and a beautifully creamy texture every single time.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
Once your creamy pesto tortellini is ready, it’s perfect as a stand-alone meal, but it truly shines when paired with a few complementary sides. For a light and refreshing contrast, serve it alongside a crisp simple tossed salad, perhaps with a zesty vinaigrette. If you’re looking to indulge, go all out with our irresistible Cheesy Garlic Bread – its crunchy, cheesy goodness is the ultimate companion to this creamy pasta. Your family is guaranteed to adore this dinner, no matter how you choose to serve it!
Feeling adventurous? This recipe is incredibly adaptable. Consider adding a handful of fresh spinach or cherry tomatoes to the sauce for extra nutrients and color. For a different protein, grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or even chickpeas make excellent substitutes for the smoked turkey sausage. You could also experiment with different types of tortellini – perhaps mushroom-filled or spinach and ricotta – to explore new flavor profiles. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to tailor this quick meal to your family’s unique tastes.
Pro Tip for Perfect Pesto Sauce
The secret to maintaining the vibrant flavor and beautiful color of your pesto lies in when you add it to the sauce. You absolutely do not want to heat the pesto too much, or for too long. Excessive heat can cause the delicate oils in the pesto to separate, resulting in a duller color and a less appealing texture for your sauce. Instead, stir the pesto in right at the very end, once the cream sauce has thickened and the tortellini has been added. This ensures the pesto’s fresh, herbaceous notes remain bright and prominent, creating a creamy and absolutely delicious sauce that holds its integrity and vibrant appeal. This simple step makes all the difference in achieving that perfect, restaurant-quality finish.
Another fantastic tip for customizing this dish: if you decide to omit the smoked turkey sausage, or simply want to try something different, consider using a different flavored tortellini. A roasted vegetable tortellini, sun-dried tomato tortellini, or even a classic meat-filled tortellini could introduce exciting new dimensions to the dish, making it wonderful in its own right without any added protein. This flexibility allows you to easily switch things up and keep dinner interesting without altering the core, quick cooking method.
More Easy Dinner Recipes to Love
If you’re a fan of quick, delicious meals that simplify your weeknights, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic dinner recipes from our collection:
- Chicken Parmesan Sandwich: A delightful twist on a classic, perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner.
- Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops: Crispy, juicy, and incredibly fast – ideal for busy evenings.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: A crowd-pleasing pasta dish bursting with savory flavors.
- Easy Sesame Chicken: Your favorite takeout, made at home in a flash.
- Spinach Chicken Alfredo: A creamy, comforting, one-pan wonder that’s incredibly simple to make.
Creamy Pesto Tortellini
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 13 ounces Smoked Turkey Sausage, such as kielbasa, sliced
- 20 ounces Fresh Cheese Tortellini
- 3/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 3/4 cup Skim Milk
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 cup Pesto
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fresh cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions, typically 3-5 minutes, until al dente. Drain well and set aside.20 ounces Fresh Cheese Tortellini
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While the tortellini cooks, in a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked turkey sausage and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is nicely browned and slightly crispy. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside, leaving any rendered drippings in the pan.2 tablespoons Butter, 13 ounces Smoked Turkey Sausage
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Reduce the heat to medium. Into the same skillet, pour in the heavy cream and milk. Add the Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Whisk gently to combine all ingredients.3/4 cup Heavy Cream, 3/4 cup Skim Milk, 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
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Bring the cream sauce to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, or until it begins to visibly thicken. Return the browned sausage to the skillet. Add the drained, cooked tortellini to the sauce, tossing gently to ensure every piece is thoroughly coated.
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Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the pesto until it is fully incorporated and the sauce turns a beautiful, vibrant green. Taste and adjust seasonings with more salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh basil if you wish.1/2 cup Pesto
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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