Easy One-Pan Sausage Tortellini Skillet: A Hearty Family Dinner Ready in Under 30 Minutes
Sausage Tortellini Skillet – Your favorite tortellini comes together in a quick and easy hearty one pan meal the whole family will love!
There’s nothing quite like a comforting pasta dish to bring warmth and satisfaction to any meal. And when that dish can come together in a single pan, offering robust flavors, a hearty texture, and a generous topping of irresistible melted cheese, it truly becomes a weeknight hero. This One-Pan Sausage Tortellini Skillet is exactly that – a simple, yet incredibly satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy evenings and is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone, even the pickiest eaters.
Imagine succulent Italian sausage, tender tortellini, and a rich marinara sauce, all enhanced with a touch of creaminess and perfectly melded cheese. This recipe delivers big on flavor without requiring a stack of dirty dishes, making it an ideal solution for feeding a crowd or simply enjoying a fuss-free family dinner. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this delectable meal transitions from pantry to plate, becoming a cherished part of your regular rotation.
Why This Sausage Tortellini Skillet Will Be Your New Favorite
- Unbeatable Convenience: This is truly a one-pan meal! From browning the sausage to simmering the pasta and melting the cheese, everything happens in a single skillet, drastically cutting down on cleanup time.
- Speedy Supper Solution: With only about 5 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cook time, you can have a delicious, home-cooked meal on the table in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for the busiest weeknights.
- Picky-Eater Approved: The classic flavors of sausage, pasta, and cheese are universally loved, ensuring that even the most discerning palates will ask for seconds.
- Hearty & Comforting: This dish is packed with satisfying ingredients, offering a robust and comforting experience that’s perfect for chilly evenings or any time you crave a filling meal.
- Highly Adaptable: Easily customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences or what you have on hand. Swap out the type of sausage, add your favorite vegetables, or experiment with different cheeses.
Essential Ingredients for Your Skillet Masterpiece
Creating this flavorful sausage tortellini skillet requires a handful of simple, readily available ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to gather:
- Italian Sausage: We recommend using bulk Italian sausage for ease, but you can also use links by removing the casings. Opt for mild Italian sausage for a classic flavor, or choose hot Italian sausage if you enjoy a spicy kick. For a leaner alternative, ground turkey or chicken Italian sausage works wonderfully too, offering a lighter profile without sacrificing the savory notes.
- Onion: A small diced onion provides a foundational aromatic base, adding sweetness and depth as it sautés with the sausage, contributing to the overall complexity of the sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is key for that pungent, aromatic flavor that defines so many great Italian dishes. Don’t skimp on this ingredient, as it truly brightens the entire meal.
- Italian Seasoning: This blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary provides an instant burst of authentic Italian flavor. If you don’t have a pre-made blend, you can combine individual dried herbs you have on hand.
- Marinara Sauce: A good quality marinara sauce forms the heart of our pasta dish, providing its rich tomato base. Choose your favorite brand for convenience, or use homemade if you have it. Look for a robust sauce with natural ingredients for the best flavor.
- Cheese Tortellini: This recipe shines with fresh cheese tortellini, which cooks quickly and maintains a lovely tender texture. However, frozen tortellini can also be used; just be prepared to adjust the simmering time slightly according to package directions. While cheese tortellini is our go-to, feel free to experiment with other fillings like meat or spinach and ricotta for different flavor profiles.
- Half and Half: This ingredient adds a touch of creamy richness to the marinara sauce, transforming it into a luxurious pink sauce without making it overly heavy. It smooths out the flavors and provides a comforting mouthfeel. If you don’t have half and half, heavy cream or whole milk can be used as substitutes; see our tips below for more details.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella is essential for that gooey, melty, cheesy topping that makes this skillet so appealing. Its mild flavor perfectly complements the other ingredients and provides that irresistible stretch.
- Fresh Basil: A sprinkle of chopped fresh basil at the end adds a vibrant, fragrant finish and a pop of color, elevating the dish’s aroma and presentation. This is optional but highly recommended for an authentic touch.
How To Make This Irresistible One-Pan Sausage Tortellini Skillet
Making this dish is incredibly straightforward, perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. Follow these simple steps for a truly delicious result that comes together with minimal fuss:
- Brown the Sausage and Onion: In a large, deep skillet (a 10-12 inch pan or a Dutch oven works perfectly), add your bulk Italian sausage and diced onion. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the sausage with a spoon, until it’s fully browned and cooked through, and the onion is softened and translucent. This step is crucial for developing deep, savory flavors. Once cooked, drain any excess grease from the pan to keep the dish from becoming overly oily.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning to the skillet with the cooked sausage and onion. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant and you can distinctly smell the aromatic herbs. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
- Simmer Tortellini in Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce, then add the fresh cheese tortellini directly into the pan. Stir everything gently to ensure the tortellini is mostly submerged and coated in the sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the tortellini are mostly cooked through and tender. The tortellini will absorb much of the sauce’s wonderful flavor during this stage.
- Introduce Creaminess: Remove the lid and pour in the half and half. Stir everything together until the sauce is well combined and takes on a lovely pink or light orange hue. The half and half enriches the sauce, giving it a velvety texture and mellowing the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Melt the Cheese: Generously sprinkle the shredded Mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the tortellini and sauce mixture. Re-cover the pan and continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, gooey, and bubbly. This creates an irresistible, cheesy crust over the pasta.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. For a fresh and aromatic finish, sprinkle with chopped fresh basil just before serving. Serve hot, directly from the skillet, allowing everyone to scoop their desired portion of this hearty, cheesy pasta.
Recipe Tips & Customization Ideas
This Sausage Tortellini Skillet is incredibly versatile, allowing you to easily adapt it to your preferences or what you have available. Here are some ideas to make this meal truly your own, enhancing its flavor and fitting your dietary needs:
- Sausage Variations: While classic Italian sausage is delicious, feel free to experiment. Use ground turkey or chicken Italian sausage if you’re looking to reduce fat and calories without sacrificing savory flavor. For a vegetarian option, plant-based ground “sausage” or even cooked brown lentils can be used with great results. If you love a bit of heat, opt for hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Tortellini Choices: We prefer store-bought fresh tortellini for its quick cooking time and tender texture. However, frozen tortellini works perfectly fine – just increase the simmering time slightly (check package directions for specific cooking times) to ensure it’s cooked through. Beyond cheese, feel free to use meat-filled, spinach and ricotta, or mushroom tortellini to change up the flavor profile and add another layer of taste.
- Amp Up the Veggies: This dish is a great canvas for adding more nutritious vegetables. Stir in 2 cups of fresh spinach with the half and half, letting it wilt beautifully into the sauce. Other great additions include diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or even a handful of chopped kale. Add harder vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini during the sausage browning phase to ensure they soften adequately.
- Creaminess Level: If you don’t have half and half, heavy cream will yield an even richer, more decadent sauce, perfect for a special meal. For a lighter touch, whole milk can be used, though the sauce might be slightly thinner. You can also skip the cream entirely for a traditional red marinara sauce. For a tangy twist, a tablespoon or two of cream cheese stirred in can add a lovely texture and flavor.
- Spice It Up: If you crave extra heat, incorporate a teaspoon or more of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic and Italian seasoning. A dash of your favorite hot sauce can also be stirred into the marinara for an extra kick.
- Cheese, Please!: While mozzarella provides that perfect melty pull and mild flavor, don’t hesitate to mix it up. A blend of mozzarella and provolone, or a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top, can add extra dimensions of flavor and a sharper, saltier bite.
- Herb Alternatives: If fresh basil isn’t available, dried basil can be added with the Italian seasoning for a less potent but still flavorful alternative, or you can garnish with fresh parsley for a similar vibrant note and touch of green.
Storage and Reheating
This Sausage Tortellini Skillet makes fantastic leftovers, ensuring you have a quick and easy meal ready for the next day. It’s often even more flavorful after the ingredients have had more time to meld!
Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual servings until thoroughly warmed through. For larger quantities, you can gently reheat it in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water, chicken broth, or milk if the sauce has thickened too much during refrigeration. This will help bring the sauce back to its desired consistency.
While you can freeze this dish, be aware that pasta can sometimes become a bit softer or mushier after thawing and reheating, slightly altering its texture. If freezing, cool the entire dish completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be stored for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about making this delicious skillet meal, helping you conquer any culinary queries:
Can I use ground beef instead of Italian sausage?
Absolutely! If Italian sausage isn’t your preference or you don’t have any on hand, you can easily substitute it with an equal amount of lean ground beef or even ground turkey. Just make sure to season it well with a pinch of extra Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to compensate for the missing spices and flavors that typically come with Italian sausage. You might also add a touch of fennel seed to mimic the classic Italian sausage taste.
What kind of skillet is best for this recipe?
A large (10-12 inch) deep skillet or a Dutch oven works best for this one-pan meal. Cast iron, stainless steel, or non-stick will all work wonderfully. The key is to have enough surface area for browning the sausage effectively and sufficient depth to contain all the sauce and tortellini as it simmers without overflowing.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, with a few thoughtful substitutions! Look for dairy-free cheese tortellini (these are often found in the refrigerated or frozen section of health food stores or specialty grocery aisles). Substitute the half and half with an unsweetened plant-based cream like oat milk cream, cashew cream, or even a rich coconut milk (be mindful of the coconut flavor). Use a dairy-free shredded mozzarella alternative for topping to achieve that melty cheese effect.
How do I prevent the tortellini from becoming mushy?
The key to perfectly cooked tortellini is not to overcook it. Start checking for doneness around the 10-minute mark of simmering with the sauce. Fresh tortellini cooks relatively quickly. You want it to be tender but still have a slight chew (al dente). Cooking it directly in the sauce allows it to absorb flavor but also means it can become softer faster than if boiled separately.
Serving Suggestions
This Sausage Tortellini Skillet is a complete and satisfying meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to round out your dinner and impress your family and friends:
- Garlic Bread or Crusty Baguette: These are absolutely perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious, creamy marinara sauce, ensuring no drop of flavor goes to waste.
- Simple Green Salad: A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the rich and hearty pasta dish, balancing the meal beautifully.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Sides like steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or sautéed green beans would make excellent complementary additions, adding extra nutrients and color to your plate.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
If you loved the ease, convenience, and incredible flavor of this one-pan meal, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic and easy dinner recipes from our collection. They’re perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to become new family favorites:
- Cashew Chicken
- Crockpot Fiesta Chicken
- Enchilada Pasta Casserole
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- Chicken Lombardy
- Cheeseburger Soup
- Pistachio Cream Pasta
Sausage Tortellini Skillet
Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound bulk Italian Sausage
- 1 small onion diced, (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 13 oz fresh cheese tortellini
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil, optional
Instructions
-
In a large skillet brown sausage and onion together until cooked through, drain any grease away.
-
Add in the garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for 2 minutes until you can start to smell the garlic.
-
Add marinara sauce and tortellini. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes until tortellini are mostly cooked.
-
Pour in the half and half and stir to combine.
-
Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese. Cover the pan to melt the cheese.
-
Sprinkle with basil to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!
We absolutely love hearing from you! If you try this incredible Sausage Tortellini Skillet, please consider leaving a comment and rating the recipe below. Your feedback helps us and other home cooks discover new favorites and perfect their culinary skills!
Join Our Community! We’ve created a fantastic and fun group on Facebook, and we would be thrilled for you to join us! It’s a vibrant space where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, connect with other food enthusiasts, and stay updated on all the new delicious content from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so you never miss a new recipe)!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so we can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS recipes YOU create! We love seeing your culinary masterpieces and celebrating your cooking successes!
Never miss a delicious update! Be sure to follow us on all our social media channels for daily inspiration and new recipe alerts:
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
**Disclaimer: This recipe was created in partnership with Gourmet Garden, and I received compensation for my work. All thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands and collaborations that make Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts possible and allow us to continue bringing you delicious recipes.