Description
This one-skillet Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Tortellini with Italian Sausage & Spinach is your next go-to comfort meal. It’s cheesy, rich, garlicky, and satisfying — all the goodness of a restaurant-style pasta dish made simply at home.
Ingredients
20 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot)
3 cups fresh spinach
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp butter
1 ½ cups heavy cream
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into bite-sized pieces. Remove using a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
2. Reduce the heat slightly. Add butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously to blend with the garlic butter. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes to thicken slightly.
4. Add the cheese tortellini into the sauce. Let it simmer gently until tender if uncooked, or stir in cooked tortellini if using pre-boiled.
5. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine evenly.
6. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, then add the fresh spinach. Fold gently until the spinach wilts and everything is coated.
7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and mix until melted and fully incorporated. Let rest off the heat for 2 minutes, then serve hot.
Notes
To reheat leftovers, use a skillet over low heat with a splash of cream or milk to revive the sauce.
Fresh spinach wilts quickly—add it at the very end for best texture and color.
Want to lighten it up? Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or use a dairy-free alternative like unsweetened coconut milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 54g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: tortellini, sausage, creamy pasta, skillet dinner, garlic butter