Name: One Pan Creamy Tortellini and Smoked Sausage
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: Olive oil; 1 pound package of smoked sausage (cut into 1/4-inch rounds); 1/2 cup diced white onion; 1 clove garlic (minced); 20 ounce package of refrigerated cheese tortellini; 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes (or whole tomatoes cut in the can with kitchen scissors); 1 cup low sodium chicken broth; Salt and pepper; 2 tablespoons cream cheese (room temperature); 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1 cup freshly shredded jack cheese; Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)

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My One Pan Creamy Tortellini and Smoked Sausage is a match made in heaven! It’s a delicious one pan meal that combines the tender, cheese filled pasta with savory smokey sausage and wraps it all in a creamy cheesy tomato sauce. One bite and you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life!

*This recipe was originally posted in 2014 and has been updated for 2017.

One Pan Meals have long provided record breaking traffic to the blog. People really fell in love with the One Pan Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta and others like my One Pan Caprese Pasta and One Pan Beef Stroganoff (my personal favorite).

I did make one small change to the recipe this time around (but left both versions in the printable recipe). I had originally used a big can of whole tomatoes that you cut up yourself in the can, but I’ve found that I prefer crushed tomatoes. Using crushed eliminates a step, and they taste just as fresh if you use a good quality brand like San Marzano.

So really it’s not a huge change and you can stick with whatever type of tomatoes you prefer.

To make the One Pan Creamy Tortellini and Smoked Sausage, start by cooking up the smoked sausage with some fragrant diced onions and a little garlic. That alone will make your kitchen smell divine and you might want to just start picking them out of the pan and eating them one by one. But refrain! You’re so close because this recipe is incredibly easy.

Once the onions are soft and the sausage is browned, you add in the rest of the ingredients (minus the cheese) – Refrigerated Tortellini (whatever flavor you prefer), a 20 oz can of crushed tomatoes or cut up whole tomatoes (use your kitchen scissors and cut them up right in the can), a cup of chicken broth or water, and salt and pepper. Give it a few quick stirs while you let it come to a boil. Then cover it up and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you could leave the lid off while it simmers at a higher heat, stirring often, to cook it a little faster.

Once the pasta is tender, you just add in the cheeses. The sauce will seem thin, but will thicken as it sits. Cover to allow the cheese time to melt, then serve hot.

This is one that I will definitely be adding to my monthly meal plan, because my kids LOVED it! You can kick it up a little by adding two cans of Rotel Tomatoes instead of the whole canned tomatoes, too. If not for my picky kiddos, I would have added a couple big handfuls of spinach.

One Pan Creamy Tortellini and Smoked Sausage

My Creamy One Pan Tortellini and Smoked Sausage is a match made in heaven! It's a delicious one pan meal that combines the tender, cheese filled pasta with savory smokey sausage and wraps it all in a creamy cheesy tomato sauce. One bite and you'll wonder where it's been all your life!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: one pan tortellini

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: servings

Calories: 739kcal

Author: Kristin

Ingredients

Olive oil
1 pound package of smoked sausage cut into 1/4-inch rounds
1/2 cup diced white onion
1 clove garlic minced
20 ounce package of refrigerated cheese tortellini
28 oz can of crushed tomatoes or whole tomatoes cut in the can with kitchen scissors
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons cream cheese room temperature
1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup freshly shredded jack cheese
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened; 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add sausage and cook until browned on both sides.
Stir in chicken broth, tortellini, tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Turn heat to low, cover and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until pasta is tender, stirring at least once to prevent sticking. *There should still be liquid in the pan to make the sauce, but if it seems excessive, you can remove some with a large spoon. (If you want a quicker cooking method, set at medium-low heat, uncovered, stirring often for about 8-10 minutes).
*If there is too much liquid left in the pan, spoon some out. But be sure to leave enough behind to make the sauce.
Remove from heat and stir in cheeses, reserving a handful for sprinkling on top. Cover and let stand for five to ten minutes, or broil for 2-3 minutes to brown. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.