Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini That Will Blow Your Mind
Sometimes you just want a meal that feels like a warm hug, right? That’s exactly what this creamy Italian sausage tortellini is for me.
I made it one night when I was craving comfort food but didn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
The result? A bowl of cheesy tortellini covered in a rich, creamy sauce with juicy sausage and a little kick of flavor.
It was so good, I knew I had to share it with you. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be making it again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish has everything you want in comfort food—creamy, cheesy, savory, and filling. The tortellini is soft and cheesy inside, the Italian sausage adds the perfect spice, and the sauce is silky smooth. It’s also easy and quick, so you don’t need to be a professional chef to make it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to pull this dish together:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, your choice)
- 1 bag (about 20 oz) cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (drained slightly)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
- 1 cup spinach (fresh)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
How to Make Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini

Step 1: Cook the Sausage
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned. Break it up into small pieces as it cooks. This will be the flavor base of your dish.
Step 2: Add Onion and Garlic

Once the sausage is browned, toss in the onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is soft and the garlic smells amazing.
Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together and let it simmer for about 5–7 minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cooks.
Step 4: Add the Tortellini

Stir in the cheese tortellini. Cook for 5–6 minutes until the pasta is tender and has soaked up all that creamy goodness.
Step 5: Finish with Spinach and Cheese

At the very end, toss in the spinach and let it wilt. Then stir in parmesan cheese for that extra creamy, cheesy taste. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking.

Tips for Making It Perfect
- Use spicy sausage if you like a little kick. Mild sausage works too if you want it more kid-friendly.
- Don’t overcook the tortellini. It cooks fast and you don’t want mushy pasta.
- Make it richer by adding extra parmesan or even a splash of cream cheese.
- Add veggies. Mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini work great in this dish.
What to Serve With It

This dish is filling on its own, but I love serving it with:
- Garlic bread to soak up the sauce
- A fresh side salad with Italian dressing
- Roasted veggies like broccoli or asparagus
Storing and Reheating
If you somehow have leftovers, here’s what to do:
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of cream or broth to bring the sauce back to life.
- I don’t recommend freezing this one because the cream sauce can separate.
FAQs About Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini
Q: Can I use frozen tortellini instead of fresh?
Yes, just cook it a little longer until it’s soft and tender.
Q: Can I swap the heavy cream for something lighter?
You can use half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce won’t be as thick and creamy.
Q: What type of sausage is best?
I prefer Italian sausage (mild or spicy), but you can also use turkey sausage if you want it lighter.
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes! Just skip the sausage and add extra veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini.
Q: Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure your pan is big enough to hold everything.
This creamy Italian sausage tortellini is one of those recipes that makes you feel good with every bite. It’s rich, comforting, and packed with flavor, but still simple enough for a weeknight dinner.
Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini That Will Blow Your Mind
Course: Snacks4
servings10
minutes25
minutes620
kcalIngredients
1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (slightly drained)
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
20 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
1 cup spinach (fresh)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt & black pepper (to taste)
Directions
- Cook the Sausage
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
- Add Onion & Garlic
- Stir in chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until onion softens and garlic is fragrant.
- Make the Sauce
- Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add Tortellini
- Stir in tortellini and cook for 5–6 minutes until tender and fully heated.
- Finish with Spinach & Cheese
- Toss in spinach and let it wilt. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Serve & Enjoy
- Serve hot with garlic bread or salad for a complete meal.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Use spicy sausage if you want extra heat.
Add extra veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a splash of cream or broth when reheating.
