Description
A comforting and easy one-pan meal featuring Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, and fresh spinach simmered in a creamy tomato sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Aromatics
- 11 ounces Italian sausages, crumbled
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
Pasta and Greens
- 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups loosely packed fresh baby spinach
Seasoning and Garnish
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Remove the sausage meat from the casings and crumble it into a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary, then keep the sausage in the pan.
- Sauté garlic and add liquids: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes with their juices, and heavy cream, stirring to combine everything evenly.
- Cook the tortellini: Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini to the skillet, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the tortellini is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Add spinach and season: Stir in the fresh baby spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the dish, garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- The Italian sausage can be mild or spicy depending on your preference.
- Draining excess fat after browning sausage helps reduce greasiness.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but sauce may be less creamy.
- Fresh baby spinach can be replaced with kale or Swiss chard as alternatives.
- Freshly grated parmesan adds a nice finishing touch but is optional.
