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Baked Tortellini with Sausage: Cheesy Heaven!

This baked tortellini with sausage recipe is the ultimate comfort food solution for busy weeknights. It combines savory Italian sausage, tender tortellini, and a rich tomato sauce, all baked to perfection under a blanket of melted cheese. Requiring minimal prep and using mostly pantry staples, this baked tortellini dish is designed for ease and maximum flavor. It's the perfect family-friendly meal that satisfies even the pickiest eaters.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 2-3 carrots, chopped
  • 2-3 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, minced
  • 3 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
  • one 25-ounce jar of tomato sauce OR a can of San Marzano tomatoes
  • 10-15 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1 1/2-2 cups chicken broth

Method
 

  1. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 lb ground Italian sausage. Break apart with a wooden spoon and brown until nicely colored. Transfer sausage to a bowl, leaving about 1 tbsp oil in the pan.
  2. Add 2-3 chopped carrots, 2-3 chopped celery stalks, 1 minced yellow onion, and 1 tsp crushed fennel seeds to the skillet. Sauté until veggies are fragrant and soft, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir the cooked sausage back into the pan.
  3. Pour in one 25-ounce jar of tomato sauce and 1 cup of chicken broth. Add 10-15 ounces of refrigerated cheese tortellini. Stir everything together. The pan will be full. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add more broth if needed for tortellini to cook.
  4. Taste the mixture; add salt if using canned tomatoes. Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach until it wilts.
  5. Top the entire skillet evenly with 1.5-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

- Use good quality Italian sausage for the best flavor.
- If using canned tomatoes, taste and adjust seasoning before adding spinach.
- Don't overcook the tortellini in the simmering step; it will finish cooking in the oven.