Cheese Tortellini And Sausage Skillet

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Are you looking for a quick and tasty meal? This cheese tortellini and sausage skillet is perfect for busy weeknights. It’s ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish. You’ll love how this one-pan dish combines cheesy pasta, savory sausage, and healthy spinach in a flavorful sauce.

The recipe uses simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. You’ll need Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, marinara sauce, and a few basic seasonings. Everything cooks together in one skillet, so cleanup is a breeze. This hearty meal will satisfy the whole family and leave you with leftovers for lunch the next day.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty Cheese Tortellini and Sausage Skillet:

• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 10 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 2 cups spinach
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

This recipe serves 4 people and takes about 25 minutes total to make. The prep time is just 5 minutes, with 20 minutes of cooking time.

You’ll want to grab a large skillet for this one-pan meal. Make sure it’s big enough to fit all the ingredients. A 12-inch skillet works great.

Don’t forget to pick up some garlic bread to serve on the side. It’s perfect for soaking up the yummy sauce!

Instructions

Heat a big skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and brown 1 pound of Italian sausage. This takes about 5-7 minutes.

Next, toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion looks clear and you can smell the garlic. It should take 3-4 minutes.

Now add the spices, marinara sauce, and chicken broth. Give it a good stir. Let it start to bubble, then add the cheese tortellini. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring now and then.

Toss in 2 cups of spinach. Stir it in and watch it wilt from the heat. This only takes about a minute.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of mozzarella on top. Let it melt for a minute or two. Your skillet meal is ready!

Serve it hot. You can add some garlic bread on the side if you like. A sprinkle of black pepper or red pepper flakes on top adds a nice kick.

This easy meal serves 4 and takes about 25 minutes total. Enjoy your cheesy, saucy skillet dinner!

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily swap out some ingredients in this tasty skillet dish. Try these options:

• Meat: Use ground beef, turkey, or chicken instead of Italian sausage
• Pasta: Swap cheese tortellini for meat-filled or veggie tortellini
• Greens: Replace spinach with kale or Swiss chard
• Cheese: Try Parmesan or fontina instead of mozzarella

For a veggie version, skip the meat and add more veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Don’t have fresh garlic? Use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder for each clove. Out of marinara sauce? Mix a can of crushed tomatoes with Italian herbs.

For a creamier dish, add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese at the end. Want it spicier? Toss in some red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage.

Remember, these swaps might change the cooking time a bit. Keep an eye on your skillet and adjust as needed.

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this dish more diabetes-friendly, you can make a few simple swaps. Try using whole wheat tortellini instead of regular pasta. This change adds more fiber, which helps slow down sugar absorption.

Replace the Italian sausage with lean turkey sausage. It has less fat and calories but still tastes great. You can also cut the amount of sausage in half and add more veggies like zucchini or bell peppers.

For the sauce, pick a low-sugar marinara. Many store-bought sauces have added sugars, so read labels carefully. Or make your own with fresh tomatoes and herbs.

Cut back on the cheese to reduce calories and fat. Use just 1/4 cup of part-skim mozzarella instead of 1/2 cup. Add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the extra calories.

Here’s a quick list of swaps:
• Whole wheat tortellini
• Lean turkey sausage
• Low-sugar marinara
• Extra veggies
• Less cheese

These changes make the meal lower in carbs and calories while keeping it tasty. Remember to watch your portion sizes too. Pair it with a big side salad to fill up your plate with low-carb veggies.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Use fresh Italian sausage for the best flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, try sweet Italian sausage instead of hot.

For extra cheesy goodness, mix some grated Parmesan into the sauce before adding the tortellini.

Don’t overcook the tortellini – they should be tender but still have a slight bite. Test one after 5 minutes of simmering.

To make this dish vegetarian, swap the sausage for plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed.

For meal prep, you can brown the sausage and make the sauce ahead of time. When ready to eat, just reheat the sauce and cook the tortellini.

Try different veggies like bell peppers or zucchini for variety. Add them when you cook the onions.

To freeze, let the dish cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.