You will absolutely love this easy and delicious, Sausage and Tortellini Pasta recipe. Tried and true, this delicious recipe is loved by my four kids, and is requested almost on a monthly basis. Five easy ingredients, fast prep, and smelling delicious as it cooks, this recipe is one for your meal planning calendar.
Why you will love this Sausage Tortellini recipe!
- Super fast prep
- Tastes delicious
- Kid approved
- Easy Clean Up
- Few Ingredients
Popular Substitutions and Additions
Substitutions
- Cheese Tortellini → Spinach or Mushroom Tortellini
Swap cheese tortellini with spinach or mushroom tortellini for a flavor variation while maintaining a freezer-friendly option. - Italian Sausage → Ground Turkey or Chicken Sausage
Replace Italian sausage with ground turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter option that freezes and reheats well. - Diced Tomatoes → Crushed Tomatoes or Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
Use crushed or fire-roasted tomatoes instead of diced for a smoother or smokier sauce texture. Both freeze beautifully.
Additions
- Frozen Spinach
Stir in a few cups of frozen spinach to boost nutrition and add a pop of color. It pairs well with the creamy Alfredo sauce and freezes effectively. - Frozen Mushrooms
Add frozen mushrooms for an earthy flavor that complements the sausage and tortellini. - Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Mix or layer shredded mozzarella into the pasta bake before freezing for a cheesy, gooey topping when reheated.
- 1 Slow Cooker
- 1 gallon freezer bag
- 20 oz Cheese tortellini
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 16 oz Alfredo sauce jar
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes can
- 12 oz Frozen diced peppers and onions bag
- Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to preferred method.
- Add all ingredients, except tortellini, into freezer bag.
- Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months. (Freeze the tortellini in their store bought bag).
- Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
- Dump contents of the freezer bag into a slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- During the last 1 hour cook time, stir in tortellini, plus 1 cup water.
- Stir, ensure Tortellini is fully cooked, serve and enjoy! (Optional: Remove sausage, and chop, then stir back into instant pot).
- Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, add 1/2 cup water.
- Set to High Pressure for 15 minutes, followed by a quick release.
- Open instant pot, set to saute, add 1/2 cup water and stir in tortellini. Cook until fully cooked, check cook time on choosen tortellini.
- Once tortellini is fully cooked, stir and serve. (Optional: Remove sausage, and chop, then stir back into instant pot).
- Use gluten-free tortellini and gluten-free alfredo sauce.
- Use dairy-free tortellini and dairy-free alfredo sauce.
Nutrition
“Cooking Hack” for Tortellini Recipe
Did you know you do not have to chop ANYTHING for this 5 ingredient easy dinner recipe?! The store actually sells chopped up onion and peppers in the freezer section and they are PERFECT for prepping freezer meals with ease.
In fact, I specifically designed this recipe with this ingredient hack in mind, and its far from mushy. Instead, enjoy the flavor these onions and peppers bring to your sauce and take your homemade pasta comfort dish to a whole new level.
Simple. Fast. Delicious.
What should I serve with Tortellini recipe?
Side Dishes: The recipe goes perfectly with many different side dishes.
- Garlic Breadsticks
- Caesar Salad
- Sautéed Broccoli Rabe:
Desserts: This recipe is paired well with these Desserts:
- Tiramisu
- Panna Cotta with Berry Compote
- Lemon Ricotta Cake
Mocktails: These mocktails add to your culinary experience:
- Italian Lemonade
- Virgin Mojito
- Sparkling Berry Mocktail
Can I make this recipe gluten free?
Yes, this recipe can be made gluten free if you purchase a gluten free tortellini. Always make sure to check your Alfredo sauce as well to ensure that it is gluten-free.
Can this recipe be made vegan?
This recipe would be a bit tough to make vegan because it is designed to be a short-cut recipe. The ultimate in making easy family dinners at home. However, many other recipes can be easily modified to fit a vegan diet.
Don’t forget to Pin this recipe for later!
Your Questions Answered!!
Can I make this recipe nut free?
This recipe is nut tree! Be sure to check the ingredients of every package you buy to ensure the safety of anyone who has nut allergies.
What ingredients do you need for this Sausage and Tortellini Recipe?
Ingredients you will need for this recipe are simple, Tortellini of preference (I use cheese), Mild Italian Sausage, Alfredo Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Peppers and Onions.
Do I need a slow cooker for this recipe?
Using a crock pot or slow cooker is the easiest way to make this recipe fresh or from frozen. BONUS: It cooks for you and you don’t even have to think about it, instead enjoy your day or come home from work with a ready made home-cooked meal.
Can I cook this recipe in the oven?
Freeze your recipe in a casserole pan instead of a freezer bag. Now you have an oven ready tortellini bake to be cooked in the oven at 450 degrees for 75 minutes, Uncover and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
I forgot to thaw my recipe, now what?
Don’t panic, you can still cook your meal if it has not been thawed, simply cook the meal on high for an additional 30-60 minutes.
How long will this recipe last in the freezer? Fridge?
This Tortellini dinner will stay good in the freezer for 6 months. For shorter storage periods in the fridge, your recipe should remain fresh for 3-5 days. Ensure that you keep your leftovers in an airtight container to remain fresh!
Equipment needed to make this Sausage Tortellini
- Slow cooker
- Gallon freezer bag
How Long will this Sausage and Tortellini Pasta last in the fridge?
This recipe will last for 3-5 days in the fridge. Before your store, make sure that your recipe has cooled to room temperature. Also, make sure that you are storing your food in an airtight container.
Can I freeze this Sausage Tortellini Pasta?
This recipe was designed to be a raw freezer meal. The first thing that you need to do is prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to preferred method. Next, add all ingredients, except the tortellini, into the freezer bag. Then, seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months. You can freeze the tortellini in their store bought container. This will allow your recipe to be made fresh when needed.
Can I use different types of sausage?
Yes, you can substitute Italian sausage with other varieties like spicy sausage for added heat or chicken sausage for a lighter option.
Is it better to use fresh, refrigerated, or frozen tortellini?
All forms—fresh, refrigerated, or frozen—are suitable to be used. Adjust cooking times accordingly: fresh tortellini cooks faster than frozen.
Can I add vegetables to this Sausage and Tortellini Pasta dish?
Absolutely. Incorporating vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms enhances flavor and nutrition to this dish, while still maintaining a freezer friendly approach.
How can I make this sauce creamier?
To achieve a creamier sauce, add heavy cream or a combination of Alfredo and marinara sauces.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish in advance and freeze it. When ready to cook, bake until heated through and the cheese is melted.
Comment below if you have any questions we didn’t answer.
If you liked this easy sausage and tortellini recipe you may also like these family dinner ideas.
- Vegetarian Burritos Freezer Meal
- Easy Peanut Butter Chicken Curry Freezer Meal
- Easy Thai Chicken Freezer Meal
- Bacon Baked Bean Chili Freezer Meal
- Best Rib Recipe
Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your BBQ Ribs whole 30 recipe turned out!! I really want to know.
And if you have ANY QUESTIONS comment here, I’m happy to help.