The night I first threw this Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli together, I was honestly just trying to use up what was in my fridge. Thirty minutes later, my husband looked up from his bowl and said this needed to become a regular thing. The cheese-filled tortellini swimming in garlicky cream sauce with crispy sausage and bright green broccoli is pure comfort food magic.
My daughter, who usually picks broccoli out of everything, ate every single piece on her plate. When your kids voluntarily eat their vegetables, you know you've created something special.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli hits every craving without spending hours in the kitchen. You get tender cheese tortellini, savory Italian sausage, perfectly cooked broccoli, and a creamy garlic parmesan sauce that ties everything together beautifully. My sister made this for her family on a busy Tuesday and texted me that it's now in her weekly rotation.
It's one of those one-pan wonders where everything cooks in the same skillet, so cleanup is a breeze. The combination of flavors and textures makes this way more interesting than plain pasta, and it's hearty enough that nobody leaves the table hungry.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli
- Aliana's Top Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- What to Serve With Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli
- FAQs About Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Related
- Pairing
- More DINNER
What You'll Need
Simple grocery store ingredients create this restaurant-quality dinner. Nothing fancy or hard to find here.
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Optional Extras
Add sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy twist, or toss in some spinach for extra greens. Crushed red pepper gives it a nice kick if you like heat. A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens everything up.
Simple and clear directions are in the recipe card.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli
Cook the Sausage
Remove the sausage from its casings and break it into bite-sized pieces in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Let it brown really well - those crispy bits add incredible flavor. Once it's cooked through and nicely browned, transfer to a plate and set aside. Leave about a tablespoon of that flavorful fat in the pan.
Cook the Broccoli
Add your broccoli florets to the same skillet with a splash of chicken broth. Cover and steam for about 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp. You don't want it mushy - it should still have some bite. My mom always says perfectly cooked broccoli makes or breaks a pasta dish. Transfer the broccoli to the plate with the sausage.
Make the Garlic Cream Sauce
Add butter and olive oil to the skillet, then toss in your minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until it smells amazing but doesn't brown. Pour in the cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring until the cheese melts into a smooth, silky sauce.
Can I use a different type of pasta? Yes! Ravioli, tortelloni, or even regular penne work great. Just adjust cooking times based on your pasta choice.
Add the Tortellini
Toss your tortellini directly into the sauce. If using fresh, they'll only need about 3-4 minutes. Frozen tortellini might need 5-6 minutes. Stir gently so they cook evenly and get coated in that gorgeous garlic parmesan sauce. The tortellini will absorb some of the sauce and become incredibly flavorful.
Bring It All Together
Return your cooked sausage and broccoli to the skillet, folding everything together gently. Let it all simmer together for another 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld. The sauce should coat everything beautifully. If it's too thick, add a splash more broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered for another minute or two.
Garnish and Serve
Plate your garlic parmesan tortellini in warm bowls, making sure everyone gets a good mix of tortellini, sausage, and broccoli. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. A crack of black pepper on top adds a nice finishing touch. The combination of creamy sauce, cheesy tortellini, savory sausage, and tender broccoli is absolutely perfect.
Aliana's Top Tip
The secret to incredible garlic parmesan tortellini with sausage and broccoli is not overcooking the broccoli.
It should be tender but still have some texture - nobody wants mushy vegetables.
Also, freshly grated Parmesan makes a huge difference compared to the pre-grated stuff.
It melts smoother and tastes so much better.
My husband insists on grating it fresh now because he can taste the difference.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Use ground turkey or chicken instead of sausage for a lighter version. Swap heavy cream for half-and-half if you want to reduce calories. Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes for extra vegetables. For a vegetarian version, skip the sausage and add white beans or chickpeas for protein.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store leftover tortellini in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it sits, so add a splash of cream or broth when reheating. Warm gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave it, but the stovetop method keeps the tortellini from getting rubbery.
What to Serve With Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli
This garlic parmesan tortellini with sausage and broccoli is pretty much a complete meal on its own. It's delicious with garlic bread to soak up that amazing sauce. My family loves it with a simple Caesar salad on the side. A glass of white wine for the adults completes the meal perfectly.
FAQs About Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the components separately, but it's best assembled fresh. The sauce and tortellini don't hold up as well when made too far in advance.
What if I don't have heavy cream?
Use half-and-half or even whole milk with a tablespoon of flour whisked in to help thicken the sauce.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, but thaw and drain it really well first. Frozen broccoli has more moisture and can make the sauce watery.
How do I prevent the sauce from breaking?
Keep the heat at medium and add the Parmesan gradually while stirring. Too high heat can cause the cheese to separate.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you're into easy pasta dinners and one-pan meals, you'll want to explore more tortellini recipes and quick Italian dinners on my site. I've got plenty of creamy pasta dishes and sausage recipes that use simple ingredients. My collection of weeknight dinner ideas will keep your meal rotation interesting all month long.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your twist on it!
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Pairing
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