One Pot Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake

When you love pasta evening, this One Pot Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake goes to be a brand new favourite. The sausage browns proper within the pan, constructing layers of wealthy, savory taste that mingle with garlic, onion, and herbs. The whole lot simmers collectively in a thick tomato sauce with the tortellini cooking immediately within the sauce. Then it’s topped with mozzarella and Parmesan, baked till the cheese melts right into a bubbly golden blanket of goodness.

For soup season, strive my tomato tortellini soup for a steamy bowl of consolation meals.

Why My Recipe

• One-pan, no-boil baked methodology with pasta cooking immediately in sauce.
• Loaded with tacky tortellini, savory sausage, and a tasty tomato sauce.
• Comes collectively quick for a simple weeknight dinner the entire household will love.

Most recipes for tortellini bake have you ever boil the pasta first or combine in a heavy cream sauce that may drown out the flavour. Not this one. The tortellini cooks proper within the sauce so it soaks up each little bit of taste, and the feel stays excellent (not mushy). The tomato base retains it savory and flavorful, whereas the cheese on prime provides you that oven-baked end. It’s the best, most flavorful model on the market, and all of it occurs in a single pot from begin to end.

Ingredient Notes

• Olive Oil: Use common olive oil for sautéing the onion and sausage. Further virgin works too, however save the flowery stuff for drizzling.
• Yellow Onion: A small yellow onion provides a pleasant sweetness that balances the tomato sauce. White onion may even work if that’s what you have got.
• Italian Sausage: Select between delicate or scorching relying in your desire. Gentle provides a basic Italian taste, whereas scorching provides just a little kick. You too can swap in rooster or turkey sausage for a lighter model.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is greatest for that wealthy, fragrant taste. When you solely have garlic powder, use 1 teaspoon instead of the contemporary garlic.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Search for good-quality canned crushed tomatoes for the perfect taste. San Marzano-style tomatoes give a barely sweeter, richer sauce.
• Tomato Sauce: A can of plain tomato sauce helps make the dish saucier and smooths out the feel of the crushed tomatoes.
• Granulated Sugar: Only a contact balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Don’t skip it—it actually rounds out the sauce.
• Dried Oregano and Basil: These two basic Italian herbs deliver heat and depth to the sauce. You may substitute 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning for those who desire.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Regulate to style, particularly in case your sausage is already seasoned.
• Cheese Tortellini: Use refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini. If utilizing frozen, there’s no must thaw—it is going to cook dinner completely within the sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Shred it contemporary for those who can; pre-shredded cheese doesn’t soften as easily.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan provides the perfect salty, nutty taste. Be happy to sprinkle just a little additional on prime earlier than serving.
• Contemporary Parsley: Provides a pop of shade and a little bit of freshness on the finish. You too can use contemporary basil for those who desire.

Refrigerated vs Frozen vs Dried Tortellini

I’ve examined this recipe each which method, and right here’s what it’s essential know. Refrigerated and frozen tortellini each work nice. They bake up tender and plump with simply the suitable chunk, and so they soak in all that scrumptious sauce as they cook dinner.

Refrigerated tortellini are the commonest and often cook dinner barely quicker. Simply toss them proper into the sauce and bake as directed.

Frozen tortellini are rather less costly and simply as tasty. You don’t even must thaw them first.

Dried tortellini can work, however they don’t offer you that very same mushy, tacky texture that makes this dish particular. They want extra liquid and an extended bake time, and even then, the outcomes aren’t fairly the identical. Stick to refrigerated or frozen for the perfect texture and taste.

Choosing Your Sausage

Sausage is the spine of the flavour right here, so decide one that matches your style. Gentle Italian sausage provides you a basic taste that pairs completely with the cheese and tomato sauce. When you like just a little warmth, go for scorching Italian sausage as a substitute. It provides just a little kick that my household undoubtedly loves.

You too can use candy Italian sausage for those who like that contact of fennel and even rooster or turkey sausage for a lighter model. Simply needless to say leaner sausages launch much less fats, so you might wish to add a small drizzle of olive oil whereas they cook dinner.

Non-obligatory Add-Ins

This recipe is superb as-is, nevertheless it’s additionally a terrific base to customise. If you wish to sneak in a number of veggies, strive including about two cups of child spinach proper earlier than topping with cheese.. It wilts proper into the sauce and provides a pop of shade.

For just a little additional taste, sauté one diced bell pepper or eight ounces of sliced mushrooms with the onion. The mushrooms deliver out the savory notes within the sausage, whereas the peppers add just a little sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomato sauce.

When you love issues additional tacky, combine half a cup of ricotta or cream cheese into the sauce earlier than including the tortellini. It provides the sauce a barely creamy, wealthy texture with out turning it right into a heavy cream-based dish.

You too can swap the mozzarella for provolone for extra stretch or add a sprinkle of pecorino romano for a saltier chunk.

What Makes this Sauce Pop

An awesome sauce doesn’t simply occur, but this one certain feels prefer it does! It’s constructed layer by layer. Browning the sausage first provides you these little caramelized bits on the underside of the pan. Don’t rush this step. That’s the place the magic begins.

As soon as the sausage is browned, the onion and garlic go in. The warmth softens the onion and takes away that sharp chunk, and the garlic turns aromatic and buttery. When you actually wish to deepen the flavour, stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste proper earlier than including the crushed tomatoes. Let it cook dinner for a couple of minute so it caramelizes a bit. That additional minute makes the sauce style prefer it’s been simmering for hours.

The crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce mix collectively right into a wealthy, thick base. A small pinch of sugar balances the acidity and retains the sauce clean.

Pan Measurement Issues

For this recipe, the suitable pan makes all of the distinction. When you’re utilizing a 12-inch skillet, be sure it’s a deep one, like a braiser pan. You’ll want sufficient room for the sauce, tortellini, and all that wonderful cheese on prime. A 4 to 6-quart pot is a secure guess.

Enameled forged iron is my favourite as a result of it holds warmth evenly and goes straight from the range to the oven with out lacking a beat. When you don’t have one, don’t fear, any oven-safe pot will do the job.

In case your skillet or pot isn’t oven secure, you may switch every little thing to a 9×13 baking dish as soon as the tortellini are coated in sauce and topped with cheese. It’s an additional step, nevertheless it works simply as nicely.

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