Description
This Sausage Tortellini Alfredo recipe features tender Italian sausage and cheese tortellini smothered in a rich and creamy homemade Alfredo sauce. Enhanced with garlic, Parmesan, and optional baby spinach, this dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that’s both flavorful and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
Produce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional)
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Dairy
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pantry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5–7 minutes until fully browned and cooked through.
- Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook tortellini: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the refrigerated cheese tortellini according to package instructions, usually 3–5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Alfredo sauce: Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium. Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Simmer the sauce for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens slightly.
- Combine tortellini and sauce: Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce and sausage. Toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly in the sauce.
- Add spinach: If using baby spinach, stir it into the skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
- Season and garnish: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley or extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve the dish hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken sausage or turkey sausage for a leaner version.
- Add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for extra flavor and texture.
- Leftovers reheat well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
