Description
A quick and flavorful one-pan tortellini and sausage skillet dinner combining savory Italian sausage, tender cheese tortellini, fresh spinach, and bright lemon zest, all cooked together in a single skillet for an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 20 oz fresh cheese tortellini
- 1 lb ground mild Italian sausage
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups baby spinach, ribboned or torn
- 1 cup chicken broth, more if needed
- Pinch of sea salt
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sauté the onion: Add the diced red onion to the skillet and sauté for about two minutes until softened and fragrant, providing a mild sweetness to the dish.
- Cook the sausage: Add the ground mild Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for about 5 minutes until mostly browned and cooked through.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant but not burnt, infusing the sausage mixture with aromatic flavor.
- Simmer with tortellini: Pour in the chicken broth and stir in the fresh cheese tortellini, nestling them into the sausage mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover the skillet and cook for about 4 minutes or following the tortellini package instructions, until the tortellini are tender.
- Add spinach and cheese: Remove the skillet lid, stir in the baby spinach, sprinkle with grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano, and add the lemon zest. Cook uncovered for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the cheese slightly melts into the mixture.
- Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish, season with cracked black pepper, and add extra cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot for a comforting and zesty meal.
Notes
- Use fresh cheese tortellini for the best texture and flavor; frozen can be used but may require slight adjustment in cooking time.
- If the mixture seems dry during cooking, add a splash more chicken broth to maintain a saucy consistency.
- Adjust the heat by choosing mild or spicy Italian sausage based on your preference.
- For a vegetarian version, replace sausage with plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
