Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone

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When I tell you this Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone needs to be on your weekly cooking schedule... I mean it. IT IS INSANE! Similar to Cheesy Taco Pasta it comes together in 30 minutes on the stovetop for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

An overhead shot of a black cast iron skillet filled with tortellini in a glossy red sauce that has crumbled Italian sausage and mascarpone. It's garnished with freshly grated parmesan cheese. To the left there is a small grey ceramic bowl of more parmesan cheese and a white pepper mill below on a wooden board with a kitchen towel in the right corner


 

Why I Love This Recipe

Are you ready to make something special for dinner tonight? If so, then give this delicious Tortellini with Sausage dish a try! Whether it's just for yourself or you're feeding the whole family, this savory meal will delight everyone at the table. Not only is it packed with flavor and simple to prepare, but it also takes under 30 minutes to make. So no matter what type of home cook you are, if you're looking for a delicious weeknight dinner that won't take up too much time, Tortellini with Sausage is exactly what your next culinary adventure should be all about!

When you're in need of a comforting pasta dish, this is it! The sausage, the sauce, the mascarpone, the freshly made pasta – it’s a recipe for success. We’ve been making this as a quick and easy weeknight meal and all 3 of us are obsessed, Poppy included.

It's great recipe to have in your back pocket for family that's coming into town over the next few weeks and you can easily double or triple it as needed. It comes together in under 20 minutes and it's perfect when served alongside my Winter Greens Salad

Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Spicy Italian Sausage
  • Garlic
  • Shallot 
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Red Sauce - any type of red sauce works so use your favorite
  • Heavy Cream
  • Mascarpone Cheese 
  • Refrigerated Tortellini
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Parmesan Cheese

How to Make Tortellini

Take the sausage meat out of the casings and crumble it into a skillet. Cook it over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it's browned. Drain most of the fat and leave the sausage in the pan.

Add the garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes to the same pan and saute for 60 seconds. Add the red sauce, cream, and mascarpone. Cook for 5-7 minutes until saucy.

Cook the tortellini according to the package directions. Save ¼ cup of the pasta water and add it to the sauce along with the drained pasta. Season with salt & pepper as needed and serve with fresh parmesan sprinkled over top.

Tips & Tricks

I bought the Tortellini from my local Italian market so it was extra fresh. If you have access to a local Italian market, might be worth a stop to pick some up. Any filling would be delish! 

FAQs

What is the main difference between ravioli and tortellini?

The main difference is the shape. Ravioli are usually square or circle and tortellini are rolled into a small crescent shape ring.

Are tortellini and gnocchi similar?

Tortellini is traditionally stuffed with cheese or a mixture of meat and cheese, whereas gnocchi is more like a little dumpling typically made with potato, eggs, and flour.

What is tortellini filled with?

Tortellini is traditionally filled with a mixture of meat and/or cheese.

Similar Recipes

If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today

Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone

Author: Gaby Dalkin
4.9 from 40 votes
A quick and easy Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone that makes for the perfect weeknight meal!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces spicy Italian sausage, crumbled
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups of your favorite red sauce
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup mascarpone cheese
  • 1 9-ounce package refrigerated tortellini
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese to taste

Instructions
 

  • Take the sausage meat out of the casings and crumble it into a skillet. Cook it over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it's browned. Drain most of the fat and leave the sausage in the pan.
  • Add the garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes to the same pan and saute for 60 seconds. Add the red sauce, cream, and mascarpone. Cook for 5-7 minutes until saucy.
  • Cook the tortellini according to the package directions. Save ¼ cup of the pasta water and add it to the sauce along with the drained pasta. Season with salt & pepper as needed and serve with fresh parmesan sprinkled over top.

Notes

Hot tip: I bought the Tortellini from my local Italian market so it was extra fresh. If you have access to a local Italian market, might be worth a stop to pick some up. Any filling would be delish! 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 1225mg | Potassium: 636mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1095IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2mg
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Photography by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson

40 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I bought ravioli at Costco so the pack was huge. So naturally doubled the recipe. My son isn't a big sauce eater so I probably could have gotten away without doubling the sauce. But if there is any left in the end I'll freeze the scrumptious meat sauce. After eating this my picky 6 year old declared ravioli his favorite food! Thanks for another recipe to add into his rotation, next time I'll see if he'll enjoy some tortellini with it.

    This comes together so quickly, the most time consuming thing is peeling and chopping the garlic and shallot.

  2. 5 stars
    This was amazing and a family pleaser!! Comes together quick and easy but tastes like you spent hours.

4.93 from 40 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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