I’m making a comforting and indulgent pasta dish—Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Tortellini with Italian Sausage & Spinach. This dish combines tender beef tortellini, savory Italian sausage, and fresh spinach all tossed in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce. It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner but fancy enough for entertaining guests.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this dish hits all the right notes—creamy, savory, and just the right amount of richness from the garlic butter and Parmesan cheese. The Italian sausage brings a hearty flavor, while the spinach adds freshness and balance. It’s the kind of pasta dish that feels like comfort food but has the elegance to impress at a dinner party. Plus, it’s ready in just 30 minutes!
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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1 pound beef tortellini
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8 ounces Italian sausage
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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3 tablespoons garlic butter
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1 cup heavy cream
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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2 cups fresh spinach
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Salt and pepper, to taste
directions
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I heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. I add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook it until browned and fully cooked. Then, I remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside.
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In the same skillet, I sauté the minced garlic in a little more olive oil for about 1 minute until fragrant.
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I pour in the heavy cream, then stir in the garlic butter and Parmesan cheese. I simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
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While the sauce simmers, I cook the tortellini in boiling salted water according to the package instructions. Once cooked, I drain the tortellini and set it aside.
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I return the sausage to the skillet with the cream sauce, then add the cooked tortellini, tossing to coat it all in the sauce.
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I add the fresh spinach and stir until it’s wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
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I season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot, with extra Parmesan if desired.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 4 servings.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 20 minutes
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Total Time: 30 minutes
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm the pasta gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to bring the sauce back to life.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of sausage?
Yes—if you prefer a milder sausage, use sweet Italian sausage or even chicken sausage. Hot Italian sausage is great if you like a little spice.
2. Can I make this dish without cream?
You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or milk for a lighter version, though it won’t be as rich and creamy.
3. Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes—use plant-based sausage or skip the sausage altogether and add more vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
4. How do I prevent the sauce from separating?
I make sure to simmer the sauce over low heat and add the cream slowly, stirring constantly. Don’t let the sauce boil vigorously to prevent it from curdling.
5. What can I serve this with?
This creamy pasta pairs beautifully with a side salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables.
6. Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes—just thaw and squeeze out any excess moisture before adding it to the sauce.
7. Can I make this ahead of time?
I suggest cooking and assembling everything but adding the spinach and tortellini just before serving for the best texture.
8. How do I get my tortellini al dente?
I cook it according to the package instructions but check a minute or two early to ensure it’s just tender and not overcooked.
9. Can I add more cheese?
Of course! A little extra Parmesan sprinkled on top right before serving adds an extra layer of flavor.
10. Can I make this with a different type of pasta?
Yes—you can swap the beef tortellini for any pasta you prefer, such as fettuccine, penne, or ravioli.
Conclusion
This Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Tortellini with Italian Sausage & Spinach is the perfect combination of comfort and elegance. It’s rich, satisfying, and packed with flavor, yet comes together in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or treating yourself to something special, this pasta dish is sure to please!
Print
Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Tortellini with Italian Sausage & Spinach
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This rich and indulgent pasta dish combines cheesy beef tortellini, savory Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a luscious garlic butter cream sauce. Quick enough for a weeknight yet elegant enough for guests—comfort food at its best!
Ingredients
1 pound beef tortellini
8 oz Italian sausage (remove casing)
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp garlic butter
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh spinach
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic in a little olive oil until fragrant (about 1 minute).
Add heavy cream, garlic butter, and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
While the sauce simmers, cook tortellini in boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Return sausage to the skillet and add cooked tortellini. Toss to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce.
Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
