Description
This creamy and flavorful Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone is an easy Italian-inspired dish that combines spicy sausage, rich mascarpone cheese, and tender tortellini in a luscious red sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, the sauce is enriched with garlic, shallots, and a touch of cream, creating a velvety texture that pairs beautifully with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 12 ounces spicy Italian sausage, crumbled
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup mascarpone cheese
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to taste
Produce and Seasonings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, sliced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Pantry
- 2 cups of your favorite red sauce (marinara or tomato-based sauce)
- 1 9-ounce package refrigerated tortellini
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Remove the sausage meat from the casings and crumble it into a skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned. Drain most of the fat, leaving the sausage in the pan for flavor.
- Sauté aromatics and add sauce: Add the minced garlic, sliced shallot, and red pepper flakes to the pan with the sausage. Sauté for about 60 seconds until fragrant. Then stir in the red sauce, heavy cream, and mascarpone cheese. Cook the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and become creamy.
- Cook tortellini: Meanwhile, cook the refrigerated tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the tortellini.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the reserved pasta water to the sauce to loosen it if necessary. Then add the drained tortellini to the skillet and toss well to coat. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the tortellini with sausage and mascarpone sauce, and sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Use a good quality red sauce or homemade marinara for best flavor.
- If you prefer less spicy, use mild Italian sausage or reduce the red pepper flakes.
- The reserved pasta water helps to loosen and bind the sauce to the pasta.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Tortellini can be substituted with ravioli or cheese-filled pasta if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
