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.
Table of Contents
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
Equipment
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
Nutrition Information
Photography by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson
We have made this recipe twice and we're making it a third time today. The flavor of this sauce is incredible, it really is next level. I'm really impressed that one can take a standard jar of marinara, add a few simple ingredients and create a beautiful, creamy, delicious sauce that would rival anything at a fancy restaurant. Thanks Gaby for making an incredibly easy and 5-star-delicious recipe. Your creativity with food is incredible! We used rana tortellini and it is incredible!
This dish is so delicious and truly easy to put together on a weeknight. I used store bought fresh tortellini and it turned out fantastic. Gelsons has the Mezetta brand but didn't have the plum tomato marinara so I used Rao’s. This recipe is a keeper! Thanks Gaby
This took me less than 10 minutes to throw together and was AMAZING. My husband was blown away and told me to add it to our weekly rotation! Didn’t change anything and used a spinach/cheese tortellini.
This is so ridiculously delicious!
I have made it and substituted the sausage with impossible meat (b/c of one of the eaters dietary restrictions) and then also made it with ground beef (b/c I didn't have sausage on hand).
Just another amazing dish.
OMG, my friends and family were licking the plates and holding their plates out for seconds…don’t make the mistake of not making enough for 2nds, oops…anyway, I used Hot Italian sausage with just a pinch of red pepper flakes, Mezzetta Sweet Basil and Garlic and spinach tortellini…Excellent and it would be great with any pasta or by it self, lol…Can’t rave enough about this dish…Bonus, it’s quick and easy which is a good thing because I hate to cook…
This was definitely a repeat dish. Thanks!
So easy and so delicious - thank you, Gaby!!!
Which pasta sauce did everyone use? I have a bunch of Rao sauces and I’m in between using 4 cheese and regular marinara?
Rao's everytime for the win!
We used the Mezzetta Artisan Ingredients Pasta Sauce (Fresh Market) from the recipe in the Carmelized onion version. Beautiful!
My son absolutely loved this dish. Followed the recipe exactly and I would not change a thing! It was super easy to make and on the table in 30 minutes. We will definitely add this to our rotation. Thanks for the great weeknight dinner recommendation! This was our first WGC recipe and it was a WINNER!
Super easy and delicious. I reduced the red pepper with a finicky husband. He adored it.
To cook mostly at the last minute, cook sausage ahead (reduce calories by using chicken sausage) and leave on the stove covered. Then put all ingredients in bowls and start the rest of the sauce just before you put the tortellini in. All finishes at the same time. In 7 minutes. Don’t drain pasta, but instead move with a slotted spoon from pan to sauce and let it simmer a bit there. This will add a bit of water. Delicious, even for my Italian husband.
I made this last night for dinner and it is so good!! My family loved it and it is so easy to put together. This will be on our regular dinner rotation. I wouldn’t change one thing about the recipe.
This was phenomenal, followed the recipe directly, used 3 cheese tortellini. I wouldn’t change a thing
Favorite tortellini?
there's a handmade one from Eataly that I love - their in-house brand
We used rana tortellini and it is incredible!
How important do you think tortellini is? Could it stand on its own with a regular unstuffed pasta? Looks incredible by the way
would still be incredible
This looks and sounds absolutely delicious!! Can't wait to make it!