Description
Ready in just 30 minutes, this Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Tortellini with Italian Sausage & Spinach is the ultimate comfort meal packed with flavor. Juicy Italian sausage, tender cheese-stuffed tortellini, and fresh spinach are tossed in a rich, garlicky butter-cream sauce that clings to every bite. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner, an easy recipe to impress guests, or weeknight food ideas that satisfy the whole family, this one-pan meal is a guaranteed hit. It’s one of my go-to dinner ideas when I want something cozy without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage (beef or pork, casings removed or crumbled)
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups fresh spinach
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 package (about 20 ounces) cheese tortellini
Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add spinach and cook until just wilted, about 2–3 minutes.
4. Pour in heavy cream, stir in Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Let simmer for 3–5 minutes to thicken.
5. Meanwhile, cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
6. Add sausage and cooked tortellini to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything in the creamy sauce.
7. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper (if using).
8. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Always cook the sausage in batches if your pan is small—overcrowding prevents browning.
Use full-fat cream for the best sauce texture—lighter options may curdle or thin out.
Don’t add spinach too early or it will overcook and lose color. Add right before the cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: creamy garlic butter pasta, tortellini dinner, sausage tortellini recipe, one-pan pasta, easy dinner, comfort food