Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach

Imagine tender pillows of cheese tortellini nestled among savory Italian sausage and vibrant spinach leaves, all brought together in a rich, garlicky cream sauce. This Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach dish combines comforting pasta with protein and greens for a hearty one-pan meal that’s as practical as it is delicious. The interplay of flavors—from the subtle cheese filling to the aromatic herbs—creates a restaurant-quality dish right in your kitchen. You’ll learn how to balance these ingredients perfectly while creating a meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach recipe will quickly become a family favorite for several compelling reasons. First, it’s incredibly versatile—perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for weekend entertaining. The combination of textures is particularly satisfying: the slight chew of perfectly cooked tortellini contrasts beautifully with the meaty bite of sausage and the tender freshness of spinach leaves.

The dish offers a complete meal in one pan, minimizing cleanup while maximizing flavor. The rich, creamy sauce clings to each tortellini, infusing it with garlicky, herbaceous notes that elevate the pre-made pasta to something truly special. Even picky eaters tend to enjoy this meal, as the familiar comfort of cheesy pasta makes the addition of spinach more approachable.

Additionally, the recipe strikes that elusive balance between convenience and homemade quality. Using store-bought tortellini saves considerable time, but the fresh ingredients and made-from-scratch sauce ensure it doesn’t taste like a shortcut meal. It’s a perfect solution for those nights when you want something comforting but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

For this delicious Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach dish, gather:

• 20 oz (570g) refrigerated cheese tortellini (about 2 packages)
• 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (sweet or hot, depending on preference)
• 3 tbsp (45ml) olive oil, divided
• 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tbsp)
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 6 cups (180g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

The tortellini serves as the foundation of this dish—choose a high-quality brand with a robust cheese filling. For the sausage, Italian varieties work best as their fennel and herb seasonings complement the other ingredients perfectly. Fresh spinach is strongly recommended over frozen for the best texture and flavor in this tortellini spinach sausage combination.

Pro Tips

Master the Sausage Cooking: The key to developing deep flavor in your Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach lies in properly browning the sausage. Use medium-high heat and resist the urge to stir constantly. Allow the meat to develop a golden crust before breaking it apart. These caramelized bits become flavor foundations for the entire dish. For extra texture contrast, leave some larger chunks of sausage rather than breaking it all into tiny pieces.

Perfect the Cream Sauce: Avoid the common pitfall of curdled or broken cream sauce by tempering the cream. Add a small amount of the hot broth to the cold cream before incorporating it into the pan. Additionally, once you add the cream, maintain a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil. This patience ensures a silky, cohesive sauce that perfectly coats the tortellini and spinach without separating.

Tortellini Timing Matters: Unlike regular pasta, refrigerated tortellini cooks extremely quickly and continues to soften in the hot sauce. For the ideal texture in your tortellini sausage dish, cook the pasta about 1 minute less than the package directions suggest if you’re boiling it separately. If cooking directly in the sauce, add it when the sauce is nearly finished and monitor closely. This prevents the delicate pasta from becoming mushy while ensuring it fully absorbs the savory flavors of the sauce.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sausage
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into large chunks with a wooden spoon. Let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to develop a golden-brown crust, then continue cooking while breaking it into smaller pieces until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes total. The sausage should be well-browned and slightly crispy at the edges. Transfer the cooked sausage to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pan.

Step 2: Create the Aromatic Base
In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent and softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning, about 30-60 seconds. This aromatic foundation will infuse your Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach with depth and complexity.

Step 3: Build the Sauce
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping the bottom with your spoon to release any browned bits—these contain concentrated flavor. Bring to a simmer and let reduce slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Allow the sauce to gently simmer until it starts to thicken, about 3-5 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 4: Combine the Elements
If using packaged refrigerated tortellini, cook according to package directions, typically 2-3 minutes in boiling water until they float, then drain. Alternatively, for a one-pot approach, add the uncooked tortellini directly to the simmering sauce and cook until just tender, about 3-4 minutes. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Gently fold in the spinach in batches, allowing it to wilt into the sauce. Finally, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated.

Step 5: Finish and Serve
Allow the Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach to rest for 2-3 minutes; the sauce will continue to thicken and the flavors will meld together. Serve in warmed bowls, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired. The finished dish should have a silky sauce that coats each component without being too runny or too thick.

Variations

Mediterranean Twist: Transform your Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach into a Mediterranean delight by substituting the Italian sausage with lamb sausage or merguez. Add ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup Kalamata olives, and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan. Finish with fresh mint leaves and a squeeze of lemon for brightness. This variation offers a completely different flavor profile while maintaining the comforting essence of the original dish.

Vegetarian Option: Create a meatless version by omitting the sausage and increasing the vegetables. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms sautéed until golden brown to provide umami depth. For additional protein and texture, incorporate 1 cup of white beans or chickpeas. This vegetarian tortellini spinach combination delivers all the comfort of the original with plant-based ingredients that still feel substantial and satisfying.

Lighter Alternative: For a healthier spin, use chicken sausage instead of pork, and replace the heavy cream with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of flour whisked into 1 cup of 2% milk. Increase the spinach to 8 cups for extra nutrients and add 1 cup of diced red bell pepper for color and vitamin C. This modified version of the tortellini spinach sausage recipe cuts calories and fat while maintaining the comforting flavors that make this dish so appealing.

Storage and Serving

Storage Options: Your Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to revitalize the sauce, as the pasta will absorb liquid during storage. For freezing, this dish is best frozen before adding the tortellini—freeze just the sausage and sauce, then add fresh tortellini and spinach when reheating for the best texture.

Serving Suggestions: Serve this hearty dish with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon juice and olive oil to balance the richness. A slice of crusty garlic bread makes an excellent accompaniment for soaking up the delicious sauce. For a more substantial meal, consider starting with a light soup such as Italian wedding or tomato basil.

Presentation Ideas: Elevate your Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach by serving it in wide, shallow bowls that showcase all the components. Garnish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for color contrast, a few small fresh basil leaves, and an additional grating of high-quality Parmesan cheese. This thoughtful presentation transforms a comfortable weeknight meal into something special enough for entertaining.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated?
Yes, frozen tortellini works perfectly in this Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach recipe. Add about 2-3 minutes to the cooking time, and you may need to increase the liquid slightly as frozen tortellini tends to absorb more sauce.

How can I make this dish less creamy?
For a lighter version, substitute half the heavy cream with additional chicken broth and add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste for richness without the heaviness. The sauce won’t be as thick but will still coat the ingredients beautifully.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, but for best results, prepare the sausage and sauce up to a day ahead, then reheat gently and add the tortellini and spinach just before serving. This prevents the pasta from becoming soggy and the spinach from overcooking.

What’s the best type of sausage to use?
Italian sausage provides the most complementary flavor profile, but any ground sausage works. Chicken or turkey sausage offers a lighter alternative, while spicy chorizo adds a bold, smoky element to your tortellini sausage dish.

Is there a dairy-free alternative?
Replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. The flavor profile will shift slightly, but the resulting dish maintains a creamy, satisfying texture that works well with the other components.

Conclusion

This Cheese Tortellini Sausage Spinach is comfort food at its finest — a harmonious blend of cheesy pasta, savory sausage, and nutritious greens all brought together by a silky, flavorful sauce. It’s the kind of dish that transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into special occasions while still being simple enough for even novice cooks to master. Whether you’re looking for a family-pleasing meal or something impressive yet effortless for guests, this versatile recipe delivers satisfaction in every bite.

Print