Tortellini and Sausage Bake

Tortellini and Sausage Bake

from balancewithjess.com
30 min

This cheesy Tortellini and Sausage bake is comfort food at its best! Delicious tortellini pasta, crumbled Italian sausage, and marinara sauce is topped with a layer of creamy ricotta. It's a 30-minute crowd pleaser that's also perfect for a busy weeknight

Ingredients

  • 16 oz full-fat ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil
  • ¾ lb Italian pork sausage (about 3-4 links (see notes))
  • ½ onion (chopped; about 1 cup)
  • 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • ½ cup water or broth
  • 16-20 oz refrigerated tortellini (I used spinach tortellini)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions

  1. 1

    In a bowl, whisk ricotta, egg, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Set aside.

  2. 2

    In a large oven-safe skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add sausage and crumble. When halfway cooked, add onion to soften for 3-4 minutes. Then stir in garlic for 30 seconds.

  3. 3

    Pour in marinara sauce and use your wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits on the bottom. Then add the water or broth into the empty marinara jar and shake well to get every drop of marinara sauce. Pour into pan. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, turn the Broil function on your oven.

  4. 4

    Turn off the heat. Season the sauce to taste, then add the tortellini and stir well. Spread an even layer of the ricotta mixture on top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

  5. 5

    Broil in oven for 3-5 minutes or until top is golden brown. Keep an eye on it! Then let cool for a couple minutes before serving. Option to top with fresh basil.