One-Pot Tortellini With Meat Sauce
Updated Oct. 11, 2023
- Total Time
- 45 minutes
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 40 minutes
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
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Ingredients
Yield:4 to 6 servings
- 4garlic cloves, peeled
- 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2tablespoons tomato paste
- 1pound hot or sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1(28-ounce) can whole or crushed tomatoes
- Salt and pepper
- About 1 pound fresh or frozen cheese tortellini (no need to thaw)
- Finely grated Parmesan, for serving
- ½cup/4 ounces grated mozzarella (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
496 calories; 21 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 50 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 30 grams protein; 1129 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered byPreparation
- Step 1
Finely grate the garlic into a large Dutch oven or skillet. Add the olive oil and tomato paste and set over medium-high heat. When it sizzles, stir until the oil is a rusty red, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the sausage, breaking it into small pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is starting to crisp, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Step 2
Stir in the tomatoes. (If using whole tomatoes, break them up with your spoon.) Season with salt and pepper and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer over medium until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Step 3
Stir in the tortellini, cover and cook until tender, 7 to 10 minutes, stirring halfway through and scraping any that might be stuck to the bottom of the pot. If the sauce looks dry, add ¼ cup water. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve topped with Parmesan.
- Step 4
If you’d like a melted-cheese top like a baked pasta, heat the broiler with a rack in the upper third of the oven. Sprinkle the tortellini with the mozzarella. Broil until melted and browned in spots, 2 to 4 minutes.
Private Notes
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Cooking Notes
Dan D
Maybe it’s just me, but this recipe is begging at least for an Italian spice blend to that sauce.
Dave L
A small gripe: What is wrong with Pecorino Romano? There's an obsession with Parmesan in all these recipes. I love Parmesan, but for southern red sauce dishes Romano is the go-to cheese. It cuts through the sauce better, and at half the price.
Dani
“Italian sausage” is a fresh pork sausage, never smoked, flavored with garlic and fennel. “Hot Italian sausage” also has spicy red peppers. “Sweet Italian sausage” is not actually sweetened (like a breakfast sausage) it just doesn’t have the peppers found in “hot Italian sausage”.
Pretzel
Next time, I think I would brown the sausage first, then add the garlic and give it thirty seconds or so, then add the tomato paste and let it turn color, and then proceed as directed. I think I would also use less sausage. Otherwise, I agree with others: this is an easy one-pot main dish with a simple, plain tomato sauce that provides a palette for additional flavors!
PDoc
Can an American help me understand what is meant by 'Italian Sausage'? Wikipedia suggests "...a style of pork sausage... often noted for being seasoned with fennel or anise as the primary seasoning". Does that sound right?
Beverly
Easy dinner but needs a little doctoring: -add a little red pepper flakes to garlic/oil/tomato paste. -after adding tomatoes and sausage, add a little oregano and basil. Very tasty!
KD
yup! it is available without casings and in spicy or sweet variety, but the heavy presence of fennel is the bar that makes it "italian" sausage
Joan in Denver
@DanD, thinking that the sausage will provide that flavoring. If it doesn’t, you could always add to taste. I’ve done that with a riff on someone else’s simple marinara that needed more seasoning for my taste.
Reader
Could have used a bit more herbs, or maybe just herbs. I will try again but adjust it with seasoning
Rich E
The suggestion to add Italian spices seems worthwhile. I'll do that next time. Still was a very good comfort dish
K+E
Substituting Veggie "Beefy" Crumbles for the Sausage has made it a delicious Vegetarian recipe. (I also agree with the Italian Spice Blend suggestions.)
Alyssa
Such a flavorful, quick meal for a weeknight! I used Italian chicken sausage with casings removed, San Marzano crushed tomatoes and kite hill tortellini. Came out delicious!! Also, please note not to skip the optional instruction to broil mozzarella on top- takes the dish to another level!
Lynn
Agree with those who suggested halving the meat. Between the sausage and the cheese in the tortellini, it was rather salty and heavy. You can add whatever seasoning suits your fancy. In my case I added some red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, some Penzeys Italian seasoning and fresh basil. Next time I may omit the meat altogether and perhaps add some chopped onions during the first step.
jessica
Followed the suggestion to brown sausage first, and seasoned as much as possible. Will make with half meat next time.
D Berg
The entire family loved it, I did add oregano and a bit of red pepper flakes to our taste. used home canned tomatoes but otherwise followed the recipe as written
lyz m
So delicious! I browned the sausage first the. Did the garlic and tomato paste and deglazed with some of the red wine I was drinking. Otherwise kept it the same. Family loved it and it was so so easy. I found the tortellini texture was more hearty cooked this way. It’s in the rotation.
Lorraine Fina Stevenski
You really don't need a recipe for this dish. It is an easy one pot dinner most anyone can make. I make it tastier with fresh basil and minced onions. I would make the tortellini separately as they are very delicate and will fall apart if stirred too much, add into the meat and sauce just before serving. Skip the broiled cheese topping and sprinkle grated Parmigiano on top.
J
Some things are better with two pots.
John L
I'd agree that it needs some spices, and I don't think I could go totally no chop--can't imagine not sauteing a chopped onion with this!
Axwall
Make it vegetarian! Omit the Italian sausage, use more spice. Easy and filling. Sausage is unnecessary.
Bo
Don't be lazy! Cook the tortellini separately, or else the whole dish becomes really starchy.
Olga
Great as written, just added some fresh basil. Not bland at all. Easy recipe, will make it again. I wonder if it would work with other proteins to avoid the pork.
Joan West
I followed the directions and this is very tasty! I did use a quart of home canned tomatoes and didn't add any water because they tend to be juicier. Also used dry onhand tortellini. Used parmesan for first and then Romana next day. Romana was the best. Could someone please tell me how to break sausage into small pieces!
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