Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake
This Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake is a delightful nod to comfort food, cleverly designed to please even the pickiest of eaters. Inspired by my son's ongoing love affair with cheese and Italian sausage, this dish transforms ordinary ingredients into a creamy, savory masterpiece. The homemade marinara sauce, enriched with flavorful herbs and spices, balances perfectly with the richness of heavy cream and three types of cheese. Not only did this satisfy my son’s taste buds, but I, too, found myself going back for seconds! In a hurry? Feel free to swap in your favorite pre-made sauce for a time-saving alternative. This dish is versatile; whether you’re cooking for a picky eater or showcasing your culinary skills, the addition of mushrooms or bell peppers can elevate the flavors, making it a family favorite any night of the week.
5
Servings
700
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
refrigerated three-cheese tortellini
20 ounces (fresh)
Italian sausage
1 lb (casings removed)
onion
1/2 small (finely diced)
crushed tomatoes
28 ounces (canned)
tomato paste
6 ounces (canned)
red wine
1/4 cup (dry, drinkable)
sugar
1 teaspoon (granulated)
dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon (crushed)
basil
1 teaspoon (dried)
parsley flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons (dried)
dried rosemary
1/8 teaspoon (optional)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
heavy cream
3/4 cup (liquid)
dried marjoram
1/8 teaspoon (optional)
water
1/4 cup (as needed)
parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (shredded)
romano cheese
1/4 cup (shredded)
Instructions
1
In a large, heavy stockpot or Dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
2
Add the finely diced onions and continue to cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Drain excess grease from the pot.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing its fragrance.
4
Incorporate the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, sugar, oregano, basil, parsley, marjoram, salt, pepper, and optional rosemary. Mix well, and add water as necessary depending on desired sauce thickness. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
5
Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least one hour, stirring occasionally.
6
After simmering, add the heavy cream, parmesan, and romano cheese. Stir well until everything is combined and the cheeses have melted into the sauce.
7
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Cook tortellini according to package instructions until al dente.
8
Reserve some marinara sauce separately if you desire. Drain the tortellini and toss gently with the creamy marinara sauce.
9
Serve warm, garnished with additional cheese if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
36g
Fat
50g
Carbs
30g
Protein
3g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this dish?
The dish is called Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 5 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
There are 700 calories per serving.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving contains 30g of protein.
What is the total fat content?
The total fat content per serving is 36g.
How many carbohydrates are in this meal?
There are 50g of carbohydrates per serving.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 20 ounces of refrigerated three-cheese tortellini.
How much Italian sausage is required?
You will need 1 lb of Italian sausage with the casings removed.
How should the onions be prepared?
The 1/2 small onion should be finely diced.
What is the base for the homemade marinara sauce?
The base consists of 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes and 6 ounces of tomato paste.
Does this recipe include wine?
Yes, it includes 1/4 cup of dry, drinkable red wine.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for at least one hour.
What making this dish creamy?
The creaminess comes from 3/4 cup of heavy cream combined with parmesan and romano cheeses.
What types of cheese are used?
The recipe uses parmesan cheese and romano cheese, in addition to the cheese inside the tortellini.
Can I use a store-bought sauce?
Yes, you can swap the homemade sauce for your favorite pre-made sauce as a time-saving alternative.
What optional vegetables can be added?
You can elevate the flavors by adding mushrooms or bell peppers.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
Is there any sugar in the sauce?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar is added to help balance the sauce.
What dried herbs are included?
The recipe includes oregano, basil, parsley, and optional rosemary and marjoram.
How should the tortellini be cooked?
Cook the tortellini in boiling salted water with a drizzle of olive oil until al dente.
What should I do with excess grease from the sausage?
You should drain the excess grease from the pot after browning the sausage and onions.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, it is specifically described as being designed to please picky eaters and is tagged as kid-friendly.
What is the fiber content per serving?
There are 3g of fiber per serving.
How much sugar is in each serving?
There are 2g of sugar per serving.
Why is olive oil added to the boiling water?
Olive oil is added to the boiling water to prevent the tortellini from sticking together.
How much parmesan and romano cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of shredded parmesan and 1/4 cup of shredded romano.
What if the sauce is too thick?
You can add water as necessary (about 1/4 cup) depending on your desired sauce thickness.
Can I garnish the dish?
Yes, it is recommended to serve warm and garnish with additional cheese if desired.
What pot is recommended for cooking?
A large, heavy stockpot or Dutch oven is recommended.
Is this considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is categorized with the tag 'one dish meal'.