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Turn ordinary tortellini into a hearty one-skillet meal with Italian sausage and creamy tomato sauce. It takes just 25 minutes and packs tons of flavor while keeping your sink free of extra dishes.
Critical Components
The Italian sausage brings amazing taste
Store-bought tortellini saves time
Heavy cream makes the sauce velvety
Spinach boosts the health factor
Garlic builds the flavor foundation
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Cooking Process Simplified
Cook sausage until golden and remove extra fat.
Mix in your liquids - broth, tomatoes and cream.
Let tortellini simmer right in the sauce mixture.
Add spinach at the last minute.
Taste, tweak seasonings, sprinkle with cheese.
Tasty Pairing Suggestions
Grab some crusty bread or whip up garlic toast. A simple arugula salad with shaved parmesan or a side Caesar brings nice freshness to balance the meal.
Tasty Twists
Toss in some fresh basil leaves
Go with spicy Italian sausage for kick
Try cheese or mushroom filled pasta instead
Pour in extra cream for more luxury
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Pop it in a sealed container. Warm it up slowly on low heat so the sauce stays nice. Try to eat it within a day or two since pasta gets mushy fast. Don't freeze it - it won't taste good after.
Expert Advice
Make sure to get rid of all the grease
Never boil the sauce after adding cream
Give the pasta a gentle stir now and then
Add salt bit by bit as you go
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Cooking Wisdom
Grab the good sausage - it makes a difference
Let the sauce thicken naturally
Bite a pasta piece to check if it's done
Enjoy it hot off the stove
This simple skillet dinner brings together quick prep and big flavor, just what you need when life gets crazy but you still want something tasty and satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What kind of sausage is best?
- Any Italian kind works, pick spicy for some kick.
- → Why do you use heavy cream?
- It helps stop the tomato sauce from separating.
- → What if the sauce is too thin?
- The starch in the pasta thickens it naturally as it cooks.
- → Should I drain the sausage grease?
- You can, but leaving some adds extra depth to the flavor.
- → Can this be prepped earlier?
- It’s best fresh but can be reheated when needed.