Description
A hearty and flavorful Cheesy Smoked Sausage Skillet combining savory smoked sausage, tender cheese tortellini, and a creamy tomato-based sauce. This easy one-pan meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, delivering rich Italian-inspired flavors with minimal prep and cooking time.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Produce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the sliced smoked sausage and brown it evenly, cooking for about 5-7 minutes to develop flavor and a nice sear on the sausage pieces.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt, stirring constantly to release its aroma and flavor into the oil and sausage.
- Add remaining ingredients: Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, chicken broth, heavy cream, and the refrigerated cheese tortellini. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine all flavors and ingredients evenly.
- Simmer: Increase the heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Then cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer gently for 12-15 minutes, or until the tortellini are cooked through and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
- Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with the parmesan cheese. Serve the skillet dish hot with additional parmesan cheese on top if desired for extra richness and a cheesy finish.
Notes
- Use refrigerated cheese tortellini for best texture; frozen may require longer cooking time.
- You can substitute smoked sausage with kielbasa or any smoked link sausage of your choice.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes along with the garlic.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for the last few minutes to reduce the liquid.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
