This Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake is a culinary masterpiece that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it an absolute lifesaver for those hectic weeknights. Crafted with a delightful blend of sweet and hot Italian sausage, tender refrigerated tortellini, and luscious creamy burrata cheese, this dish is an explosion of zesty, robust flavors. It’s not just a meal; it’s a comforting, hearty experience guaranteed to satisfy even the most voracious appetites, leaving everyone at the table utterly delighted.
Hello, fellow food enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving headfirst into a recipe that promises to be quick, incredibly delicious, and packed with a fantastic spicy kick – exactly what we crave when life gets busy. For those of us juggling demanding schedules, especially during bustling times like summer holidays or school nights, finding dinner solutions that don’t compromise on flavor or quality is a true culinary victory.
I absolutely adore creating super simple dinners that call for minimal ingredients, making weeknight cooking a breeze rather than a chore. Imagine a meal that requires only about fifteen minutes of active prep time and less than 30 minutes in the oven. That’s precisely what this recipe delivers – a hearty, satisfying dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but magically appears on your table in under an hour.
Ultimate Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake: Your Quick & Flavorful Weeknight Dinner
This Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake is truly that dream meal we all wish for. It’s ingeniously crafted with a harmonious combination of savory sweet and fiery hot Italian sausage, paired with convenient refrigerated tortellini. The best part? There’s no need to boil the tortellini ahead of time! It cooks directly in the rich, bubbling sauce, absorbing all the wonderful flavors and streamlining your cooking process significantly. This “no-boil” method is a game-changer, ensuring a perfectly cooked pasta that’s infused with every drop of the delicious sauce.
Why This Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake Will Be Your New Favorite
- Effortlessly Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this meal is designed for speed. With minimal prep and a total cook time of around 30-35 minutes, it’s the perfect solution for busy evenings when you want a homemade, hearty dinner without the fuss.
- No Pre-Boil Tortellini: A true time-saver! The refrigerated tortellini cooks directly in the vibrant tomato sauce, soaking up all the incredible flavors and saving you an extra pot to wash.
- Rich & Creamy Indulgence: The addition of luscious burrata cheese melts into pockets of creamy goodness throughout the bake, offering a delightful textural contrast to the tender tortellini and robust sausage. Freshly grated Parmesan adds an extra layer of savory depth.
- Hearty & Satisfying: Packed with protein from the Italian sausage and wholesome pasta, this bake is incredibly filling. It’s comfort food at its finest, guaranteed to satisfy the heartiest of appetites.
- Bursting with Authentic Italian Flavors: The combination of sweet and hot Italian sausage, aromatic garlic and onion, rich crushed tomatoes, and fragrant fresh basil creates a deeply flavorful sauce that transports your taste buds straight to Italy.
- Minimal Cleanup: Primarily a one-pan meal (plus a skillet for the sauce), cleanup is surprisingly easy, allowing you more time to enjoy your delicious creation.
Unpacking the Delicious Ingredients for Your Tortellini Bake
Crafting this incredible Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake requires a selection of fresh, flavorful ingredients that come together to create a symphony of tastes and textures. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is vital:
- Olive Oil: The foundation of many Italian dishes, olive oil is used to sauté the aromatics and brown the sausage, infusing the initial layers of flavor into your sauce.
- Italian Sausage: We recommend a blend of both sweet and hot Italian sausage links, removed from their casings. The sweet sausage offers a mild, fennel-infused richness, while the hot sausage provides a delightful kick, creating a balanced and complex flavor profile. You can, of course, opt for entirely sweet or entirely hot based on your preference.
- Yellow Onion: Finely chopped yellow onion creates a sweet and aromatic base for the sauce, softening beautifully as it cooks down with the sausage.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is indispensable in Italian cooking, adding a pungent, savory depth that is truly irresistible.
- Red Cooking Wine: A splash of red cooking wine is used to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This adds a wonderful acidity and complexity to the sauce. If you prefer not to use wine, chicken or vegetable broth can be a suitable substitute.
- Crushed Tomatoes: The heart of our sauce. A high-quality can of crushed tomatoes forms the rich, robust base, bringing natural sweetness and tang.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance all the flavors in the dish.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of classic Italian herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. This seasoning ties all the flavors together, giving the sauce an authentic aroma and taste.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For those who love a little extra heat, these flakes complement the hot Italian sausage and add a vibrant warmth to the dish. Adjust the quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Torn fresh basil is added at the end, providing a burst of fragrant, slightly peppery sweetness that brightens the entire bake. Don’t skip fresh basil if you can help it!
- Refrigerated Cheese Tortellini: The star pasta of our bake! Using refrigerated tortellini is key here as it cooks perfectly in the sauce without needing to be pre-boiled, saving you time and effort.
- Burrata Cheese: This creamy, dreamy cheese is what elevates this bake to gourmet status. Rip it into pieces and nestle it throughout the dish; it melts into pockets of rich, milky deliciousness.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is sprinkled both within the layers and on top, providing a salty, umami finish and a beautiful golden crust when baked.
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a balanced, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal. Choosing good quality ingredients will truly make a difference in the final taste of your Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake.
Crafting Your Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Preparing this Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Follow these simple steps to bring this sensational dish to your table:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside. This ensures a clean release and easy cleanup later.
- Brown the Sausage and Sauté Aromatics: In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon or two of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage (both sweet and hot, if using) removed from its casing, along with the chopped yellow onion. Break up the sausage with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is thoroughly browned and no longer pink, and the onion pieces have softened and become beautifully translucent. This step is crucial for building a deep, rich flavor foundation. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep your sauce from becoming greasy.
- Build the Flavorful Sauce: With the sausage and onion perfectly browned, add the minced garlic and red cooking wine to the skillet. Allow the wine to simmer for a few minutes, scraping up any delicious browned bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the pan with your wooden spoon. This deglazing process adds immense depth to your sauce. Next, stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a gentle warmth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. Finally, stir in the torn fresh basil leaves, mixing until they are just combined and fragrant.
- Assemble the Bake with Cheesy Goodness: Grab your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. Evenly spread the fresh refrigerated tortellini across the bottom of the dish. Take half of your fresh burrata and tear it into small, luscious pieces, scattering them over the tortellini. Follow this with a generous sprinkle of half of your freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Carefully pour the rich, aromatic sausage and tomato sauce evenly over the tortellini and cheese mixture. Using a spoon, gently stir everything together, ensuring the tortellini is well-coated and nestled within the sauce.
- The Final Flourish & Bake to Perfection: To complete the assembly, scatter the remaining torn burrata pieces over the top of the pasta mixture. Finish with a final, generous sprinkle of the remaining freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps the tortellini cook evenly and stay moist. Bake in your preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly, the tortellini is tender and cooked through, and the cheese is beautifully melted. If you desire a slightly browned, crusty top, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to settle and thicken slightly. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and a fresh garnish of basil leaves, if desired. So incredibly easy, and bursting with an unbelievable amount of flavor! This dish is sure to become a cherished family favorite.
Expert Tips for the Best Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake
While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few key tips can elevate your Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake from good to absolutely phenomenal:
- Sausage Selection is Key: As mentioned, I love the dynamic duo of sweet and hot Italian sausage. The sweet variety, often seasoned with fennel, provides a lovely aromatic depth, while the hot variety gives a pleasant warmth. Feel free to use only one type if you have a strong preference, or even substitute with ground beef or turkey for a different flavor profile. Just ensure it’s well-seasoned.
- Don’t Skimp on Aromatics: The combination of cooked yellow onion and minced garlic forms the flavor backbone of your sauce. Take the time to properly brown the sausage and soften the onions until translucent before adding the garlic. This layered approach to flavor development is essential.
- Quality Crushed Tomatoes Matter: The crushed tomatoes are the heart of your sauce. Opt for a good quality brand, ideally San Marzano or a similar premium variety, for the best natural sweetness and vibrant tomato flavor.
- Refrigerated Tortellini for Convenience: This recipe specifically calls for refrigerated tortellini because it cooks perfectly in the sauce without pre-boiling. Frozen tortellini might require a quick boil beforehand or longer baking time. Dried tortellini would definitely need to be boiled first. Stick to refrigerated for the easiest results!
- Embrace the Burrata: Burrata is truly a game-changer here. Its creamy interior melts beautifully into the sauce, creating luscious pockets of cheese. If burrata is unavailable, fresh mozzarella torn into pieces can be a good substitute, though it won’t offer the same rich creaminess.
- Fresh Herbs Make a Difference: While dried Italian seasoning provides a solid base, the fresh basil leaves stirred in at the end and as a garnish truly brighten the dish and add a burst of authentic Italian aroma.
- Deglazing for Depth: Don’t rush the step of adding red wine (or broth) after cooking the sausage. Scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan (known as “fond”) incorporates incredible umami flavor back into your sauce.
- Cover and Bake: Covering the baking dish tightly with foil for most of the baking time ensures that the tortellini cooks through evenly and absorbs moisture from the sauce without drying out. If you like a slightly browned, cheesy crust, remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes.
- Rest Before Serving: Like many baked pasta dishes, allowing the tortellini bake to rest for 5-10 minutes after coming out of the oven helps the sauce thicken slightly and makes serving much easier.
Delicious Variations & Substitutions
One of the beauties of this Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake is its versatility. Feel free to experiment with these variations to suit your taste and what you have on hand:
- Protein Alternatives:
- Ground Meat: Instead of Italian sausage, you can use ground beef, ground turkey, or a combination. Just be sure to season it well with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Vegetarian Option: For a meatless version, omit the sausage and add extra vegetables like sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini. You could also use plant-based ground “meat” crumbles or even hearty lentils.
- Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and flavor by stirring in some spinach (fresh or frozen, thawed and squeezed dry), diced bell peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or even finely chopped carrots and celery with the onion.
- Cheese Swaps:
- Mozzarella: If burrata isn’t available, torn fresh mozzarella balls or shredded low-moisture mozzarella can be used for a classic cheesy pull.
- Ricotta: For an even creamier bake, dollop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese alongside the burrata or mozzarella.
- Provolone or Fontina: These cheeses can add a different dimension of flavor and excellent melting qualities.
- Pasta Varieties: While tortellini is specified, if you’re in a pinch, you could adapt this recipe for other short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or orecchiette. However, these would likely need to be par-boiled before adding to the bake to ensure they cook through properly in the sauce.
- Spice Level Adjustment: Love it hot? Add more crushed red pepper flakes! Prefer it mild? Reduce or omit them entirely. You can also experiment with a pinch of cayenne pepper for a different kind of heat.
- Wine Alternatives: If you prefer not to use red wine, a good quality chicken or vegetable broth works perfectly for deglazing and adding depth to the sauce.
Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own! It’s a forgiving dish that welcomes personal touches.
Serving Suggestions for a Complete Italian Feast
This Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake is a wonderfully complete meal on its own, but pairing it with a few simple sides can elevate it into a truly memorable Italian feast:
- Fresh Green Salad: A crisp, refreshing green salad with a light vinaigrette is the perfect counterpoint to the rich and hearty pasta bake. Think mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and perhaps some red onion.
- Crusty Garlic Bread: Is there anything better than warm, buttery garlic bread for soaking up every last drop of that delicious tomato sauce? It’s an absolute must-have for any pasta dish.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: A side of simply steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or green beans with a squeeze of lemon can add a vibrant freshness and additional nutrients.
- A Glass of Wine: For the adults, a medium-bodied red wine like a Chianti, Merlot, or Pinot Noir would complement the flavors of the Italian sausage and tomato sauce beautifully.
Enjoy your delectable Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake with these perfect accompaniments!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake makes fantastic leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. Here’s how to store and reheat it:
- Storage: Allow any leftover bake to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked and cooled tortellini bake. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container, ensuring it’s tightly sealed to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating (Oven): The best way to reheat is in the oven to maintain texture. Place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. You might want to add a splash of broth or water if it seems a bit dry.
- Reheating (Microwave): For a quicker option, individual portions can be reheated in the microwave. Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until hot. Be aware that the tortellini might become slightly softer in the microwave.
Enjoying this delicious bake for days to come is just as easy as making it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use frozen tortellini in this recipe?
This recipe is optimized for refrigerated tortellini, which cooks perfectly directly in the sauce. If you’re using frozen tortellini, it’s generally best to boil it for a few minutes according to package directions before adding it to the baking dish, as it might release more water and take longer to cook through directly in the sauce.
What kind of red cooking wine should I use?
Any dry red cooking wine works well here. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or a simple Chianti are great choices that will add depth without overpowering the dish. If you prefer not to use alcohol, chicken or vegetable broth is an excellent substitute for deglazing the pan.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Assemble the entire bake in your baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, you might need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be going into the oven cold.
Is this dish spicy?
The spiciness comes from the hot Italian sausage and the crushed red pepper flakes. If you use both, it will have a pleasant, noticeable kick. If you prefer a milder dish, use only sweet Italian sausage and reduce or omit the red pepper flakes. Conversely, for more heat, feel free to add extra flakes!
Can I make this a vegetarian meal?
Absolutely! Simply omit the Italian sausage and replace it with plant-based ground crumbles, sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or even cooked lentils. You can also add more vegetables like spinach or zucchini for extra flavor and substance.
Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake
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Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 8 oz. sweet Italian sausage links, removed from casing
- 8 oz. hot Italian sausage links, removed from casing
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup red cooking wine
- 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 2 9-oz. packages cheese tortellini
- 1 8-oz. container fresh burrata, two balls
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon, and onion until sausage is no longer pink and onion is softened and translucent. Drain fat. Add the wine and garlic and cook until the wine is slightly reduced, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 8-10 minutes. Add the basil leaves and mix until well combined.
- Add tortellini to the prepared dish. Add half of the burrata, torn into pieces, to the top of the tortellini. Sprinkle with half of the Parmesan cheese. Pour the sauce over the tortellini and stir gently. Top with remaining burrata and Parmesan cheese. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes until the pasta is cooked and the mixture is bubbly. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and garnish with basil leaves, if desired.
Notes
I often use Mrs. Dash Italian Medley seasoning for this dish, as it’s a personal favorite. However, feel free to use whatever Italian seasoning blend you prefer.
For this recipe, I use refrigerated cheese tortellini. It cooks directly in the sauce, eliminating the need to boil it ahead of time, which saves a step and enhances flavor absorption.
Nutrition
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More Irresistible Italian Recipes to Explore
Italian Chopped Salads
Mom’s Meatballs and Marinara Sauce
Chicken Osso Buco
Conclusion: Your New Weeknight Favorite Awaits!
There you have it – a truly magnificent Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake that delivers on all fronts: speed, simplicity, and incredible flavor. This recipe is a testament to the fact that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create a comforting, hearty, and utterly satisfying meal that will impress your family and friends.
The perfect blend of savory sweet and spicy Italian sausage, the tender, cheese-filled tortellini cooked right in the sauce, and the luxurious creaminess of burrata make every bite an absolute delight. It’s the ideal dish for those busy weeknights when you crave something homemade and special, but have limited time.
I genuinely hope you give this Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake a try. It’s destined to become a staple in your recipe rotation. If you do, please come back and let me know your thoughts in the comments below – I love hearing from you! And if any questions arise as you’re whipping up this delicious creation, don’t hesitate to ask. Enjoy every savory, cheesy, and utterly fantastic bite!