This Sausage and Cheese Tortellini Pasta is one of our favorite tortellini recipes. You only need one pan, a few simple ingredients, and 30 minutes or less for this easy cheese tortellini recipe.
Sausage and Cheese Tortellini Pasta
I’m so excited to share a new quick and easy dinner recipe. This Sausage and Cheese Tortellini Pasta is pure comfort food. It’s one of our favorite tortellini recipes! Cheese tortellini, smoked sausage, and rich tomato sauce… All in less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that everyone will love!
Here’s all you’ll need to make Sausage and Cheese Tortellini Pasta. Just seven simple ingredients here!
Start by coating the bottom of a 12-inch skillet or large dutch oven with a thin layer of olive oil, and heat over medium-high heat until it just starts to smoke.
What Kind Of Sausage Should I Use?
Add the sliced sausage and arrange in a single layer. You can use any kind of smoked sausage for this recipe (turkey, chicken, pork, etc). We love Butterball Hardwood Smoked Turkey Sausage. I honestly cannot tell the difference between this and full-fat smoked sausage or andouille sausage in a side by side taste test. It is that good. And it is HALF the fat and calories of regular smoked sausage!
Tortellini Sauce
Cook until the sausages are well browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Next add a couple of cloves of minced garlic, and stir around for about 30 seconds until golden and fragrant. Then add three-fourths of a cup of chicken broth and one 8-oz can of tomato sauce or one cup of your favorite spaghetti sauce…
And a half cup of regular or heavy cream. Feel free to substitute fat-free half and half here as well. It will still taste good, but the tortellini sauce just won’t be quite as creamy.
Next add the cheese tortellini to the tortellini sauce.
My Favorite Salt & Pepper Grinders
Finally season with salt and pepper to taste. I am seriously in love with these Trudeau Graviti Salt and Pepper Mills. I use them for everything!! All you do is turn it upside down and it automatically grinds fresh pepper and sea salt for you. No cranking or turning yourself! This pepper mill ranked #1 on my Five Kitchen Essentials Under $25
Back to the tortellini pasta recipe… Now stir everything up and let your cheese tortellini soak up this luscious tomato tortellini sauce :)
Bring tortellini sauce to a simmer, then cover, turn heat to low, and cook for 12 minutes until cheese tortellini are plump and tender.
Look how much our cheese tortellini have grown! They got huge!
Serve the tortellini pasta on a plate or a wide soup bowl.
I want to plant my face in this creamy, cheesy delicious tortellini pasta. This sausage adds a really nice smokiness to this dish. Weeknight dinner perfection!
Print
Sausage and Cheese Tortellini Pasta
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Prep Time: 5 minutes -
Cook Time: 15 minutes
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Total Time: 20 minutes
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Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Category: Dinner
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Method: Stove
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Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time:
Yield:
Category:
Method:
Cuisine:Description
This Sausage and Cheese Tortellini Pasta is one of our favorite tortellini recipes. You only need one pan, a few simple ingredients, and 30 minutes or less for this easy cheese tortellini recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb smoked turkey sausage
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce (or your favorite spaghetti sauce)
- 1/2 cup regular or heavy cream
- 9 oz tortellini
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just starting to smoke. Add sausage and cook until well browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Add garlic and stir until golden and fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add broth, tomato sauce, cream, tortellini, and salt and pepper and stir to combine until simmering and bubbly.
- Cover and simmer over low heat for 12 minutes until tortellini are tender and heated through. Enjoy!!
More Easy One-Dish Dinners!
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Delicious! Comes together in less than 15 mins if you use frozen tortellini. One pot always a huge bonus. Thanks for sharing.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this dish! Normally we always make a dish the first time as it is posted, but my wife doesn’t care for the taste of turkey sausage. I used smoked pork and venison sausage instead, and it turned out wonderful! As empty nesters, there was plenty left for supper the next night. It actually tasted just as good the next night (if not better). Will be making this again soon!
I dependably getting a charge out of every single bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a gander at new stuff you post.
it simmers in the sauce for 12 mins. how long do you cook pasta?
I made this using some of the meat mixture I had frozen from the lasagna cupcakes recipes. It was delicious!!!!
So so easy and so delicious!!! I added a little bit of Italian seasoning, some crushed red pepper for some kick and at the very end I stirred in a bit of Parmesan. It’s fantastic!! The sauce is drool worthy
This turned out great! I doubled the recipe for my two teenage boys and we have a little leftover for lunches! Love how it’s an easy, one pot dish. I topped the meal with fresh Parmesan cheese and herbs at the end and served with spinach. Delicious!
So glad you enjoyed!! :)
This looks soo good, thank you for sharing this recipe!!
This looks so delicious. I wanna taste it. pasta is my favorite whatever which flavors is this. Thanks for providing this amazing recipe. Now i also try to make pasta like this in my home.
I love cheese tortellini and would make this one for sure but with a twist since I love cheese so much would probably add some shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese to the top of it for extra cheesy gooiness.
Can you make in crock pot?
Do you not cook toetolenni first?
I have made this several times and it is very tasty! It is also so simple and almost no mess or dishes to do. I just added fresh Parmesan at the end and it was perfect!
This receipe is great, I tweaked it a little and put four cheese pasta sauce in it rather then the tomatoe sauce.. I’m pregnant and crave this..
Do you pre cook the tortilla before adding it to the sauce.
This is my husband’s Favorite recipe. I love it!!!
I was planning on making this tomorrow, the recipe says “cheesy”but does not say how much to add.
Thank you,
Judith
None…the cheese is in the cheese tortellini
I’ve made this many times over the past year or so and I love it. I made it again tonight :) Although tonight I did just a couple of things different.
I used Andouille sausage because I love the spice and flavor. I also added some chicken breast and fresh spinach.
Yum.
Tried it yesterday evening – marvellous!! Had to restrain myself not to take a second helping so that I could spare some of it for today’s lunch at the office… :-)
Made this for dinner tonight! Huge hit! Thanks for the recipe! ??
This was so easy and delicious! My husband (who is not a big fan of pasta) loved it! I actually doubled the amount of sauce and tortellini because I knew that I would want a bigger meal! Thank you so much, this is a new family favorite. :D
Do you think cheese ravioli’s could be used in place of the tortellini?
Hello. With the Cheesy Sausage Tortellini, there is no cheese in the recipe Am I missing something? What type of cheese could I add to this?
I answered my own question. LOL! Thank you.
My son and I tried this recipe for dinner today and it was a big hit! Delicious!!
Loved that it is a one pot meal. We added some chopped onions and bell pepper
with our 2 different sausage (turkey and chicken). We have already decided that
this will be on our menu for next week meals. Thanks!!
What a great quick recipe. Delicious and so easy. Thank you for sharing it.
I discovered this recipe on your site over a year ago and have made it dozens of times. It is my go to when I need something easy, quick, and satisfies both my toddler son and my husband. Such a good staple to have in my back pocket. Thank you!!!!
Yum! Made this last night. Tasty, filling & super easy. I sautéed sliced, baby portebella mushrooms with the sausage. I also used twice as much pasta & boiled it in a separate pot, then added it after the sauce reduced down a bit. I might try adding some spinach at the end next time. Thanks for posting!
will make this dish again!!! My family loved it… Even my fusey teenage daughter… Yummy with a side of focaccia bread ~
Do you cook the tortellini per package instructions beforehand or throw it in straight from the package?
I can’t wait to try this recipe! Probably a dumb question but do I need to cook the tortellini ahead of time?
I made this for dinner tonight, and it was a hit! The only difference was I used Italian sausage. Thanks for the recipe!
I just made this and I am full from what I ate. I can’t believe how easy and fast this was. I used 1 cup of organic chicken stock, and an extra clove of garlic. I don’t think it would be necessary to add extra salt. I am so happy with this recipe as I am so sick of my cooking, I work nights and I need fast meals easy to take to work with me and that I can save back leftovers. This would be great with salad and garlic bread.
Thank you, thank you.
I may also try fat-free half and half next time.
My girlfirend turned me pn to this. Its so amazing we didnt have enough bread to sop up the gravy. Ive made it twice now and swap hot links for the turkey sausage (cheaper and has a nice spicy element). Making it right now and adding crushed red pepper and a pepper infused olive oil to give it a nice heat.
Saw this on Buzzfeed and had to try it. So good!! I can see lots of ways to modify with different sausages/meats. I added shredded Parmesan at the end, and it was delicious! Thanks for a quick and tasty dinner!
Made this tonight for my parents and brother, providing that they don’t keel over from my lack of cooking experience I think it went down well, it was very tasty and filling.
Can I make this with pasta instead of tortellini???
This is so delicious…just like every recipe we’ve tried from your site. Thanks!!!
This looks great, but alittle short on nutritions. Any vegetables you can recommend adding?
Made this many times now and I love it. When I am in the mood to spice this up I use Andouille sausage – yum. I normally double the recipe for when the entire family comes over to eat. And of course, it’s great as a left over too!
I’ve doubled the recipe and have made it a million times. (it’s one of our all time favs!) I add chorizo in addition to the sausage, and it’s amazing!! I got home from the grocery store and realized I bought ravioli by accident!! Any chance the consistency and taste would remain the same? Thanks so much for posting!
Yes, I’m sure it will be fine!! :) So glad you enjoy!! :)
Do you have to cook the tortellini first before putting it to simmer? Or just dump it all in??
Thanks!
Hi Mitzi!
You do not have to pre-cook the tortellini. :)
Hope this helps!!
This is an amazing recipe and I loved it when I made it! I was wondering is it possible to substitute the tomato sauce for a cup of alfredo sauce? Would I get the same results for a thick sauce?
Hi Caitlyn,
I would probably add the alfredo sauce at the end, after the tortellini has finished cooking. Stir in the alfredo sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until heated through. Good luck! :)
Made this tonight with coconut cream (product from Trader Joe’s) to reduce the amount of dairy and that turned out well. I didn’t know you don’t have to precook frozen tortellini, so that’s a step I’ll be leaving out next time!
Okay, I know I’m one of the few, but I don’t care for sausage of any kind. Is there any substitute I could use? Ground beef? Diced chicken?
Thanks, and your pictures really are amazing. It looks as if I’m looking at the real thing!
Teri
Hi Teri!
Absolutely! I have made it with both ground beef and diced chicken and it is delicious both ways. Enjoy! :)
I found this recipe on through Google and just made it tonight. I did however make a few alterations.
I didn’t have any heavy cream so I used evaporated milk instead. I also used Italian chicken sausage and also added granulated onion, granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, and some cayenne pepper (for an extra kick). Tastes amazing! Will definitely make this again!
This is a great winter warmer, always best the next day after being left in the fridge!
Just made this meal. Very tasty! It was so watery when I first started, but ended up thickening and leaving a super creamy taste. Definitely will make again.
Hi!! I just bought all the ingredients to make this. But I got frozen tortellini’s. Do you think it’ll make a difference? & how do I have to defrost them before putting them in?
Hi Memrie! I use frozen tortellini all the time! You can just dump it right in. No need to defrost. Hope this helps!! :)
I made this and it was absolutelyyyyyyy delicious. i just started a blog and if you don’t mind, i would love to post this on my blog. i will use the pictures that i took myself and credit you for the recipe. i will even send you a link when i’m done :-)
OMG!!!!! My family LOVED it!!!! My husband has never given so many compliments for supper before. My 2 year old daughter said “mmmmm nummy.’ Loved it
I made this last night it was wonderful, made it while visiting friends we all enjoyed it. As Guy Fieri says “I’d eat that on a flip flop” I will be making it again and following your blog for more great recipes!! Found this on Pinterest.
Thanks so much for the recipe. I’m not usually one to leave comments but I just wanted to let you know that this has become a family favorite! I’ve made this twice in the past week! I added some cajun seasoning and garlic powder and BAM.. perfection! =)
I made this for dinner tonight. I like tortellini, and both of my kids like it to, but my husband is not a big fan of tortellini (I know, weird, right?!) :) I looked for the turkey sausage you recommended, but the lady in the meat dept. at WalMart said they don’t have any, but they will closer to Thanksgiving. So I just used regular smoked sausage. The only other changes I made were using Hunts traditional pasta sauce instead of tomato sauce, and I added some oregano.
My husband was going nuts while I was frying the sausage…it smelled so good! When it was ready, he said “I’ve never been so excited to eat tortellini!” And he loved it! And the kids loved it too! It’s easy to make, and it’s good! This recipe is definitely a keeper! Thank you!!
Oh, by the way….where you have the recipe written out, on #2 it says “add both…” but I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to say “broth”. Is there a button somewhere for a printable version of your recipes? I couldn’t find one.
Oops! Thank you so much for letting me know Erica! :) There is a Print Recipe button right above where it says “You may also like…” in a handwritten font. Hope this helps! :)
This was delicious. Like a homemade ravioli dish. I didn’t have heavy cream, so I used 1/3 softened butter, and 2/3 milk and whipped it. I loved the sauce. Not too tomato-ee, creamy and just right! Thank you for posting the recipe.
YUM!!! Just made this tonight but I didn’t have sausage so I just used some ground beef that I had thawed. Very good! I can only imagine that the sausage can make this even yummier! Thanks for the great recipe! :)
All I have in my cupboard is shell pasta, no tortellini… would that be alright to use? I
How would this turn out using whole milk, or 2% milk instead of the cream? Would it work, but just be thinner? And in that case, would reducing the chicken broth work?
My husband loved this. The only thing I did extra was add a cup of shredded cheese just to thicken the sauce a bit. Huge hit!!! Thank you for the recipe.
Subbed tortellini with frozen ravioli and turned out great!
Just pinned, this looks so delicious!!
I came across this website randomly looking for a tortellini recipe and found this. SO good, my boyfriend loved it and wants me to make it again and again. MMM thank you!! :)
Oh man!! We had this for dinner tonight. It is super yummy!! We had some bread sticks and salad along with it. Just the perfect meal!! Everyone loved it!! Super quick and easy too!!
Oh I wish I was having this for dinner tonight!! Looks delicious, and so easy to make.
I’m trying to find the nutritional info for this but cannot find it on Calorie Count but cannot. I did create an account and everything. Do you know if they’re still up there?
Thanks!
This might be my new favorite weeknight meal! SO easy to make… love that I only have to dirty one pan. I used chicken sausage for mine and it came out delicious! I was so upset I didn’t have leftovers the next day, I wound up making it for dinner again that night. :)
Made this and it was DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! I am 5 months pregnant and boy did it hit the spot!!!!!
I really love these types of dinners, and this one in particular. Definitely will be repeated in my house!
I made this last night with the intention to take leftovers to work this weekend. The dish only survived for 8 hours in my house! I did buy duplicates of all of the ingredients so that I’m able to make the dish again with leftovers… Very unique recipe – thanks for sharing!
Just curious….why do you call this Cheesy Tortellini? There doesn’t seem to be cheese in it at all. ??? Maybe you meant Creamy Tortellini? :)
The cheese is in the tortellini ;)
this was sooo so so good! can’t wait to make it again! :)
I made this dish last week and I am SO ready to make it again! The only change I made was I added diced red peppers & onions to the turkey sausage. The dish was quick and delicious. Thanks so much for the recipe. It is a keeper!!!! Sincerely, Sherry
I finally made this and it is a real winner – everyone loved it! I used frozen tortellini & half&half. Also used regular sausage cause my husband won’t eat turkey sausage. YUM!!
I made this last night for dinner. It was a BIG hit!! This will definitely be on the regular schedule. Thanks for sharing.
Made this yesterday for my husband to take to work. He normally isn’t a fan of my Italian cuisine inspired recipes, but he loved this! Definitely going to keep this recipe around as one of my monthly indulgences :)
I made this tonight for dinner. It was delicious!!!!! My hubby and daughters loved it too. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe. Yum, yum, yum.
If using frozen tortellini, do I cook it first or add it to this sauce frozen?
I added it to the sauce frozen. I just let it simmer a few minutes longer and it was delicious!
I should NOT be looking at this so close to lunch. My stomach just grumbled and now I definitely won’t be satisfied with the salad I brought to work :P
Girl, your pictures “wake my eyes up” they are so vibrant and just beautiful :) Totally going to have to try this recipe, looks delicious!
Aww! :) Sweetest comment ever!! :)
My absolute favorite pasta sauce is a rosa/pink and this looks right up my alley! I love tortellini as well, I mean who doesn’t love more cheese in their life!
We had this for dinner tonight and totally loved it…my husband, the kids, everybody! Thanks for sharing this easy, but super delicious recipe! :)
Hi There! This looks delicious and I really want to make it! I am having trouble finding the nutritional information though. When I click on the calorie count link, it just takes me to their home page. Advice?! Thanks!
Hi Hannah! I just found out that Calorie Count changed their site. Now you have create an account and login to see the nutritional information. :( I am looking to change to a new site so you won’t have to login, but for now you could create an account and login if you wanted to see the nutritional information. Calorie Count is a great site anyway! :) You’ll be surprised at how reasonable this dinner is, less than 500 calories per serving. :)
so glad i found this post, almost time to start making dinner here, i so wish i was making this tonight….and thanks for posting the photos also! :)
Love the simple ingredients in this! I have a supply of tortellini in my freezer ready to be used in this recipe :)
Now this is my kind of weeknight meal! Looks delicious! :)
ooo tortellini! One of our favorites! I’ve never added sausage to it though. I’ll have to try that next time!
Looks good Amanda….but can you help me by telling me how to get this sauce to thicken up? You have a similar recipe which I enjoy but the sauce never gets thick enough for me. Thanks Paula
Just use less broth :) I would try it with the 3/4 cup list here first. I reduced the amount of broth down from 1 cup from my similar recipe, and the addition of tomato sauce here makes this a thicker sauce. Keep in mind that if you use a reduced fat cream (like half and half) the sauce will not be quite as thick, so if you wanted to do that you could try it with less broth to compensate. Hope this helps! :)
I know what I’m having for my birthday dinner tonight! Looks DELISH!
Oh my word, this looks mouth watering!! Think I know what I’m having for dinner tomorrow!! :)
Looks delicious! I wonder if a few handfuls of spinach tossed in to wilt at the very end might be a fun addition? Trying it tonight!
Oh my! Amanda, this looks very decadent! All my favorite ingredients, too! (=
Wow! This looks insanely delicious. I love quick and easy. This dish certainly fits the bill!
We love cheesy tortellini dishes! Pinned!
This is totally going on my meal plan for next week!! Yummmmmm!!!
You have a great blog. I like the fact that you’re recipes are not complicated and I have most ingredients on hand. Also your travel entries are great too.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees. I can’t wait for you to invite me over so we can stick our heads in this.
This is JUST what I need for a snowy Monday — so much tastiness and comfort, right here!
Yum! Smoked turkey sausage? This sounds delish! …and I love the simple ingredient list. I’ll call this next weeks’ Monday night dinner. :)
This looks so good! I really want to make this today since it is a blizzard out!
Love how the tortellini soaks up the great sauce!
This sounds wonderful and the photos are making my hungry!
I love this recipe. It looks so simple and easy. This is the perfect weeknight meal and I’ll have to try it since I’ve got some sausage in the fridge!
Oh my gravy that looks delicious! I want to face plant into that…um, once it cools down of course or that could be bad. I haven’t had sausage like that in so long, I think I need to pick some up!
So easy and yummy looking. I will definitely give this one a try.
This would be my husband’s dream dinner! Beautiful photos, Amanda! :)
That looks fantastic. I love the turkey smoked sausage, too. Today was the first time I noticed the link to caloriecount.com for the nutritionals. Thank you so much for including that! It’s a huge help.
This looks so delicious! I love smoked sausage and tortellini, so this looks like a must try. I haven’t tried turkey sausage, but will look into it the next time I go shopping as a little less fat can’t hurt me. Those mills look intriguing! I will check them out! Thank you!