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Baked tortellini with sausage, tomato sauce, melted cheese, spinach, and vegetables in a skillet

Baked Tortellini with Sausage and Cheese Skillet Meal

Baked Tortellini with Sausage is a hearty skillet meal with tender cheese-filled pasta, savory sausage, vegetables, and a rich cheesy tomato finish. It is a comforting choice for easy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 + servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 514
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Skillet
  • 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
  • 1 lb. (454 g) ground Italian sausage
  • 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 (709 g) jar of tomato sauce OR a can of tomatoes
  • 10-15 oz / 425 g refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1 1/2 – 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups baby spinach, torn
Cheese and finish
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • finely chopped parsley
Serving
  • garlic bread

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat a very large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Brown the sausage, then transfer it to a bowl and drain excess oil from the skillet if desired, leaving about a tablespoon behind.
Cooking
  1. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and fennel seeds to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables become soft and fragrant, then return the browned sausage to the pan.
Simmering
  1. Stir in the tomato sauce, tortellini, and 1 cup of chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a low simmer and cook for about 5 minutes to soften the tortellini. Add some or all of the remaining broth if more liquid is needed while the pasta cooks.
Baking
  1. Stir in the spinach until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then cover the skillet with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Serving
  1. Finish with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Serve with garlic bread.

Notes

Tortellini package sizes vary, so the amount used can depend on the size of the skillet. A 20-ounce package may not fit fully, while a little more than 10 ounces may fit in some pans. A 3 quart sauté pan was used in the photos; if the pan feels too small, use a larger Dutch oven or similar cookware to provide enough space.