One Pot Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake

For those who love pasta night time, this One Pot Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake goes to be a brand new favourite. The sausage browns proper within the pan, constructing layers of wealthy, savory taste that mingle with garlic, onion, and herbs. Every thing simmers collectively in a thick tomato sauce with the tortellini cooking straight within the sauce. Then it’s topped with mozzarella and Parmesan, baked till the cheese melts right into a bubbly golden blanket of goodness.

For soup season, attempt my tomato tortellini soup for a steamy bowl of consolation meals.

Why My Recipe

• One-pan, no-boil baked methodology with pasta cooking straight in sauce.
• Loaded with tacky tortellini, savory sausage, and a tasty tomato sauce.
• Comes collectively quick for a simple weeknight dinner the entire household will love.

Most recipes for tortellini bake have you ever boil the pasta first or combine in a heavy cream sauce that may drown out the flavour. Not this one. The tortellini cooks proper within the sauce so it soaks up each little bit of taste, and the feel stays good (not mushy). The tomato base retains it savory and flavorful, whereas the cheese on prime provides you that oven-baked end. It’s the simplest, most flavorful model on the market, and all of it occurs in a single pot from begin to end.

Ingredient Notes

• Olive Oil: Use common olive oil for sautéing the onion and sausage. Further virgin works too, however save the flowery stuff for drizzling.
• Yellow Onion: A small yellow onion provides a pleasant sweetness that balances the tomato sauce. White onion may also work if that’s what you will have.
• Italian Sausage: Select between delicate or scorching relying in your desire. Gentle provides a basic Italian taste, whereas scorching provides just a little kick. You may also swap in hen or turkey sausage for a lighter model.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is greatest for that wealthy, fragrant taste. For those who solely have garlic powder, use 1 teaspoon instead of the contemporary garlic.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Search for good-quality canned crushed tomatoes for one of the best taste. San Marzano-style tomatoes give a barely sweeter, richer sauce.
• Tomato Sauce: A can of plain tomato sauce helps make the dish saucier and smooths out the feel of the crushed tomatoes.
• Granulated Sugar: Only a contact balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Don’t skip it—it actually rounds out the sauce.
• Dried Oregano and Basil: These two basic Italian herbs convey heat and depth to the sauce. You may substitute 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning for those who want.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Alter to style, particularly in case your sausage is already seasoned.
• Cheese Tortellini: Use refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini. If utilizing frozen, there’s no must thaw—it is going to cook dinner completely within the sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Shred it contemporary for those who can; pre-shredded cheese doesn’t soften as easily.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan provides one of the best salty, nutty taste. Be happy to sprinkle just a little further on prime earlier than serving.
• Recent Parsley: Provides a pop of shade and a little bit of freshness on the finish. You may also use contemporary basil for those who want.

Refrigerated vs Frozen vs Dried Tortellini

I’ve examined this recipe each which manner, and right here’s what it’s essential to know. Refrigerated and frozen tortellini each work nice. They bake up tender and plump with simply the suitable chunk, and so they soak in all that scrumptious sauce as they cook dinner.

Refrigerated tortellini are the commonest and often cook dinner barely sooner. Simply toss them proper into the sauce and bake as directed.

Frozen tortellini are rather less costly and simply as tasty. You don’t even must thaw them first.

Dried tortellini can work, however they don’t offer you that very same delicate, tacky texture that makes this dish particular. They want extra liquid and an extended bake time, and even then, the outcomes aren’t fairly the identical. Stick to refrigerated or frozen for one of the best texture and taste.

Selecting Your Sausage

Sausage is the spine of the flavour right here, so choose one that matches your style. Gentle Italian sausage provides you a basic taste that pairs completely with the cheese and tomato sauce. For those who like just a little warmth, go for scorching Italian sausage as an alternative. It provides just a little kick that my household positively loves.

You may also use candy Italian sausage for those who like that contact of fennel and even hen or turkey sausage for a lighter model. Simply take into account that leaner sausages launch much less fats, so chances are you’ll need to add a small drizzle of olive oil whereas they cook dinner.

Elective Add-Ins

This recipe is wonderful as-is, however it’s additionally an excellent base to customise. If you wish to sneak in a number of veggies, attempt including about two cups of child spinach proper earlier than topping with cheese.. It wilts proper into the sauce and provides a pop of shade.

For just a little further taste, sauté one diced bell pepper or eight ounces of sliced mushrooms with the onion. The mushrooms convey out the savory notes within the sausage, whereas the peppers add just a little sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomato sauce.

For those who love issues further tacky, combine half a cup of ricotta or cream cheese into the sauce earlier than including the tortellini. It provides the sauce a barely creamy, wealthy texture with out turning it right into a heavy cream-based dish.

You may also swap the mozzarella for provolone for extra stretch or add a sprinkle of pecorino romano for a saltier chunk.

What Makes this Sauce Pop

An incredible sauce doesn’t simply occur, but this one certain feels prefer it does! It’s constructed layer by layer. Browning the sausage first provides you these little caramelized bits on the underside of the pan. Don’t rush this step. That’s the place the magic begins.

As soon as the sausage is browned, the onion and garlic go in. The warmth softens the onion and takes away that sharp chunk, and the garlic turns aromatic and buttery. For those who actually need to deepen the flavour, stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste proper earlier than including the crushed tomatoes. Let it cook dinner for a few minute so it caramelizes a bit. That further minute makes the sauce style prefer it’s been simmering for hours.

The crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce mix collectively right into a wealthy, thick base. A small pinch of sugar balances the acidity and retains the sauce easy.

Pan Measurement Issues

For this recipe, the suitable pan makes all of the distinction. For those who’re utilizing a 12-inch skillet, make sure that it’s a deep one, like a braiser pan. You’ll want sufficient room for the sauce, tortellini, and all that superb cheese on prime. A 4 to 6-quart pot is a protected guess.

Enameled forged iron is my favourite as a result of it holds warmth evenly and goes straight from the range to the oven with out lacking a beat. For those who don’t have one, don’t fear, any oven-safe pot will do the job.

In case your skillet or pot isn’t oven protected, you’ll be able to switch all the things to a 9×13 baking dish as soon as the tortellini are coated in sauce and topped with cheese. It’s an additional step, however it works simply as effectively.

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