There’s nothing quite like digging into a bubbling, golden, cheesy skillet of Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini after a long day—especially when dinner is on the table in under 30 minutes! This quick, comforting dish brings all the flavors of your favorite Italian restaurant right into your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything comes together in a single skillet, which means less cleanup and more time to relax with a glass of wine.
- Restaurant-Style Flavor at Home: The marriage of creamy Alfredo and robust marinara, paired with savory sausage, hits all the best Italian notes.
- Satisfyingly Creamy & Super Cheesy: Melty mozzarella over pillowy tortellini creates a gooey, comforting masterpiece.
- 30-Minute Magic: Busy weeknights are no match for this luscious, crowd-pleasing pasta—even kids ask for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I truly love about Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini is that the ingredients list is short, but the flavors are absolutely huge! Each component brings a distinct taste, texture, or even a fun pop of color—so don’t be tempted to skip any.
- Italian sausage: The flavorful backbone of this dish, it adds hearty, savory depth—choose mild or spicy to suit your crew.
- Chopped onion: Sautéed onion brings sweetness and a little bite, elevating the sauce’s richness.
- Minced garlic: That classic aromatic base—fresh garlic is best for the biggest, boldest flavor.
- Rao’s Alfredo sauce: Provides dreamy, velvety creaminess and saves you loads of time versus making sauce from scratch.
- Rao’s Marinara sauce: Adds tangy brightness and keeps the sauce balanced and saucy.
- Frozen cheese tortellini: These pasta pillows soak up the sauce—and cooking them frozen means the perfect, tender bite every time.
- Italian seasoning: That beloved blend of basil, oregano, and thyme infuses classic Italian flavor throughout.
- Red pepper flakes: For a subtle warmth—add more if you like a little heat with your creamy!
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully over the top for the most irresistible cheesy finish.
- Parsley flakes: The final green confetti for fresh flavor and gorgeous presentation.
Variations
The magic of Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini is how easy it is to riff on—whether you’re swapping for what’s on hand, keeping things vegetarian, or dialing in your own flavor profile, consider these tasty variations!
- Swap the Sausage: Substitute chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter spin, or go with plant-based sausage for a meatless version.
- Add Veggies: Stir in a couple handfuls of baby spinach, chopped kale, or sun-dried tomatoes during the sauce step for pops of color and nutrients.
- Try a Different Tortellini: Use spinach-ricotta or even meat-filled tortellini if you want to mix up the flavor and texture.
- Make it Extra Spicy: Increase the red pepper flakes, or add some diced Calabrian chilies for a real kick!
How to Make Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini
Step 1: Brown the Sausage & Onion
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the Italian sausage and toss it in with the chopped onion, stirring occasionally. Cook until the sausage is nicely browned and the onion is soft and translucent—this pairing makes your kitchen smell incredible! Be sure to drain off any grease to keep the sauce silky, not oily.
Step 2: Build the Creamy Sauce
Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant (you don’t want to burn it!). Next, pour in the Alfredo and marinara sauces, then sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Give everything a good stir—watch as the sauce turns a dreamy, rosy hue and smells like pure comfort.
Step 3: Add the Tortellini
Dump the frozen cheese tortellini right into the skillet—no need to thaw! Gently fold them into the luscious sauce so that every pasta pocket is blanketed. Cover your skillet with a lid and let it simmer for a few minutes, just until the tortellini are tender and cooked through.
Step 4: Melt the Cheese & Finish
Now for the grand finale: sprinkle the shredded mozzarella lavishly across the top. Pop the skillet under a 400°F oven for just a few minutes, or cover on the stovetop, until the cheese gets gooey and irresistible. A final scattering of parsley flakes, and your Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini is ready to serve—hot and bubbly and utterly perfect!
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini
- Choose Your Sausage Wisely: Opt for high-quality Italian sausage—try hot for extra pizzazz, or sweet for a milder, kid-friendly flavor.
- Don’t Overcook the Tortellini: Add the frozen tortellini directly to the creamy sauce and simmer gently; overcooking can make them fall apart.
- Layer the Cheese for Extra Gooeyness: You can tuck a handful of mozzarella under and over the tortellini before baking for serious cheese pull action.
- Customize the Sauce: If you prefer a looser sauce, splash in a little milk or cream—if you like it thicker, simmer uncovered for a minute or two longer before adding the cheese.
How to Serve Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini
Garnishes
Just before serving, I love to give my Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini a shower of extra parsley flakes, a sprinkle of fresh cracked black pepper, or even a little dusting of grated Parmesan for a touch of salty sharpness. You could also scatter some red pepper flakes for extra color and a gentle hint of heat—so pretty and delicious!
Side Dishes
This dish is rich and indulgent, so keep your sides lighter and fresh—think a crisp arugula salad with lemony vinaigrette, or classic garlic bread to soak up every bit of that creamy sauce. Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or even a bright tomato salad makes it a well-rounded, memorable meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini straight from the skillet for that rustic, homey vibe, or portion into individual shallow bowls for a bit of elegance. For family gatherings, arrange the bubbling pasta in a large baking dish, sprinkle with plenty of chopped herbs, and let everyone dig in family-style!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors meld and deepen overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch (or midnight snack) nearly as fabulous as the first bite!
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze portions, let the dish cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. The sauce may thicken just a bit after freezing, but a splash of cream or milk while reheating brings it right back to life—enjoy within a month for the best taste and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, simply microwave individual servings or gently warm on the stovetop over low heat. Add a touch of milk or water if the sauce needs loosening, and stir often so everything stays creamy—not gummy. Top with fresh mozzarella or parsley before serving for bonus appeal!
FAQs
-
Can I use refrigerated or homemade tortellini instead of frozen?
Yes! If you’re using refrigerated or fresh homemade tortellini, add them to the sauce just as you would frozen, but keep a close eye—they may cook a minute or two faster because they’re not frozen. Cook just until tender to avoid mushiness.
-
What can I substitute for Rao’s sauces?
You can use any high-quality jarred Alfredo and marinara sauces; choose your favorite brands, or even make your own if you have extra time. The recipe is very forgiving.
-
Is Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini spicy?
The recipe has a mild heat level from the red pepper flakes and sausage, but it’s easy to adjust to your taste—simply use sweet/mild sausage and skip or reduce the pepper flakes for a gentle flavor (great for kids or spice-averse eaters).
-
Can I make Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish ahead, refrigerate, and bake just before serving. For the best creamy texture, only add the mozzarella topping right before baking and plan to eat within a day or two.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini is one of those effortless, heartwarming recipes you’ll reach for again and again. Whether you’re looking to impress company or just treat yourself to a weeknight hug in a bowl, give this comfort classic a try—the hardest part is resisting a second helping!
Print
Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish that combines Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, and a blend of Alfredo and marinara sauces, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
Main Dish:
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 15 oz jar Rao’s Alfredo sauce
- 15 oz Rao’s Marinara sauce
- 19 oz frozen cheese tortellini
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parsley flakes
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and chopped onion. Cook until meat is browned. Drain grease.
- Prepare the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic, Alfredo sauce, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
- Add Tortellini: Incorporate frozen cheese tortellini into the skillet, ensuring it’s well coated by the sauce. Cover and cook until tortellini is tender.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top. Either melt the cheese in a 400-degree oven for a few minutes or let it melt on the stove. Garnish with parsley flakes before serving.
