Name: One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 11 ounces Italian sausages; 3 cloves garlic minced; 1/4 cup chicken broth; 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices; 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream; 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini; 2 cups loosely packed fresh baby spinach; Salt & pepper to taste; Freshly grated parmesan cheese optional, to taste

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 4 reviews

If you’re looking for a cozy, flavorful dinner that comes together in a snap, this One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe is an absolute winner. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll love how everything cooks in one skillet—minimal mess, maximum comfort. The creamy tomato sauce combined with sausage and tender tortellini makes for a dish that’s both fuss-free and downright delicious. Stick around, I’ll walk you through my favorite way to nail this recipe every time!

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Why This Recipe Works

One-Pan Simplicity: Cooking everything in one skillet means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.
Creamy Tomato Sauce: The combo of diced tomatoes and heavy cream creates a rich, balanced sauce that clings perfectly to the tortellini.
Hearty & Comforting: Italian sausage adds bold flavor and protein, making this a satisfying dinner for busy weeknights.
Quick Cooking Time: From start to finish in about 25 minutes—ideal when you want something comforting without a long wait.

One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini, Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe, Creamy Tomato Sausage Pasta, One-Pan Pasta Dinner, Easy Sausage Tortellini - A close-up image of a cooked pasta dish in a silver pan shows three main layers. The bottom layer is pasta tortellini, small ring-shaped with light yellow color and slightly ruffled edges. The middle layer features ground meat chunks mixed with pieces of red tomato, all coated in a creamy, light brown sauce. The top layer has fresh green spinach leaves scattered throughout, adding vibrant color and texture. A woman's hand holding a silver spoon lifts a portion of the pasta, meat, tomato, and spinach mixture above the pan. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe plays a part in delivering maximum flavor and creaminess with minimal fuss. I always recommend using fresh, quality sausage and fresh spinach to brighten the dish.

Italian sausage: I prefer mild for a crowd-pleaser, but if you like heat, spicy Italian sausage amps it up nicely.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds that essential aromatics to build flavor from the start.
Chicken broth: A splash of broth keeps the sauce from getting too thick and layers in subtle savory notes.
Diced tomatoes: The acidity balances the cream and keeps the sauce bright without overpowering the sausage.
Heavy cream: This rounds out the sauce into a luscious, velvety texture—definitely don’t skip or substitute it.
Cheese tortellini: Convenient and quick-cooking, tortellini acts like little pillows soaking up all that yummy sauce.
Fresh baby spinach: Adds a pop of color and nutrition, wilting down to a tender finish in just a minute.
Salt & pepper: Simple seasoning to bring out all the flavors.
Parmesan cheese (optional): I love a sprinkle on top—it’s like the perfect finishing touch that ties it all together.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

Like any good recipe, this One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe is a wonderful base that’s easy to tweak depending on what you have on hand or your mood. I often switch up the sausage or add veggies to make it my own.

Switch the sausage: I’ve tried spicy Italian sausage for a kick, and even turkey sausage when I wanted it a bit lighter. Both work wonderfully!
Veggie boost: Throwing in mushrooms, bell peppers, or even sun-dried tomatoes gives the dish more texture and flavor.
Herbs: Fresh basil or oregano stirred in at the end brightens the taste and adds that authentic Italian touch.
Cheese variations: Swap parmesan for pecorino romano, or stir in a bit of mozzarella for extra melty goodness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Sausage Just Right

Start by removing the sausage meat from its casing—don’t skip this or else you’ll end up with big chunks that don’t cook evenly. Crumble it into a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until beautifully browned. I like to stir occasionally but leave it alone enough to get some nice caramelization on the edges. If there’s a lot of excess fat, drain most of it so the sauce doesn’t get greasy, but do leave a little behind because that flavor is gold.

Step 2: Build the Sauce & Add Tortellini

Once the sausage looks good and flavorful, toss in your minced garlic and give it about 30 seconds to cook until fragrant. Then pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juices, heavy cream, and uncooked tortellini. Stir it gently and cook uncovered for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The tortellini will cook right in the sauce, releasing starch that thickens it naturally. Keep an eye so it doesn’t stick to the pan—if needed, add a splash more broth.

Step 3: Wilt the Spinach & Finish Seasoning

When the tortellini is tender and your sauce is thick and creamy to your liking, stir in the fresh baby spinach. It only needs a minute or two to wilt down beautifully. Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, topping with freshly grated parmesan if you’re feeling fancy (I always am).

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Pro Tips for Making One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe

Don’t Skip Browning: Properly browning the sausage adds a depth of flavor you just can’t fake with pre-cooked meat.
Keep Tortellini Moving: Stir occasionally while cooking tortellini so it doesn’t stick to the bottom — that little starch buildup is how the sauce thickens!.
Use Heavy Cream: I’ve tried lighter creams, and they tend to curdle with the tomato acidity; heavy cream keeps that velvety texture beautifully.
Add Spinach Last: Toss spinach in just before serving so it wilts perfectly and stays vibrant and fresh-tasting.

How to Serve One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of freshly grated parmesan on top—doesn’t take much, but it amps up the richness. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat, or fresh chopped basil when I want a fragrant, bright finish. A drizzle of really good olive oil at the end can also make this feel extra special.

Side Dishes

This recipe is pretty rich and filling on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, I love pairing it with a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or garlic-roasted broccoli. Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread is fantastic too, especially if you want to scoop up every bit of that creamy sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual dinner party, I serve the One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe straight out of the skillet, garnished with fresh herbs and parmesan. For more formal occasions, plating pasta nests with a spiral of tortellini and topping with microgreens makes the dish look restaurant-worthy without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to cool it completely before refrigerating to prevent the sauce from thinning out. When reheated, the spinach will soften more, but that’s not a bad thing.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this recipe successfully, though the texture of the tortellini changes slightly. To freeze, cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce and bring back creaminess. Avoid microwaving straight away, as it can cause separation. Stir frequently until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini in this One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe?

Yes! Frozen tortellini works just fine. You might need to add a minute or two to the cooking time, so keep an eye on the tortellini as it cooks until tender. The sauce consistency might vary a bit, but it’ll still be delicious.
Can I substitute milk or half-and-half for heavy cream?

I don’t recommend substituting heavy cream here because the acidity from the tomatoes can cause milk or half-and-half to curdle. Heavy cream keeps the sauce stable and silky.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe as written uses regular cheese tortellini which typically contains wheat flour, so it’s not gluten-free. However, you can find gluten-free tortellini varieties at many stores and substitute them easily.
How spicy is this dish?

Using mild Italian sausage makes the dish mild and family-friendly. If you like heat, try hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes to bring up the spice level.

Final Thoughts

This One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe is one of those meals I turn to again and again when I want something hearty, tasty, and ridiculously easy. Its creamy, savory sauce and quick prep make it a lifesaver on those nights when you don’t want to fuss but still want to impress. Seriously, give it a try—you’ll end up making it a staple in your dinner rotation just like I have.

One-Pan Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

Ingredients & Why They Work

Tweak to Your Taste