Think about that moment when you are cold, tired, and maybe a little bit grumpy. What do you crave? You don’t just want food; you want comfort food. You want a meal that feels like a big, warm blanket wrapping around you. That is exactly the feeling you get when you dig into a bowl of Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli. It’s a dish so creamy, savory, and satisfying that it instantly turns a tough day into a great one.
This isn’t one of those complicated recipes that takes forever and leaves your kitchen looking like a disaster zone. Quite the opposite! It’s a true weeknight meal hero—fast, filling, and packed with flavor. Imagine tender cheese-filled pasta, savory Italian sausage, and bright green, tender broccoli, all swimming in a rich, velvety Parmesan cheese sauce. You might think something this amazing takes hours, but I promise you, you can have this spectacular dish ready in under 30 minutes. You’re about to learn all the simple steps and easy tricks to master this recipe, making it a new, absolute favorite in your home. Get ready to cook something truly special!
The Secret to Weeknight Magic: Speed, Flavor, and Comfort
What makes this recipe so popular, earning it a permanent spot in kitchens everywhere? It’s the perfect blend of rich taste and incredible ease. This dish is designed for busy lives. When you choose to make Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli, you are choosing a meal that promises maximum flavor payoff for minimum effort. It uses a large skillet as its main cooking tool, which seriously cuts down on cleanup time.
The power of this dish comes from its four main parts working together: the quick-cooking pasta, the deeply flavorful sausage, the creamy, fast-made sauce, and the healthy pop of broccoli florets. You start with the sausage to create a savory base, and then you build the creamy sauce right in the same pan, soaking up all that delicious flavor. This is how you achieve a taste that is far richer and deeper than you’d expect from such an easy dinner. It’s the kind of comfort food you’ll want to eat every single week, and knowing you can make it quickly is the ultimate kitchen win.
The Tortellini Advantage: Ready-Made Deliciousness
The star of this dish, the cheese tortellini, is your secret weapon for speed. Tortellini is small pasta rings stuffed with cheese (usually ricotta, Parmesan, and Romano). Because they are usually purchased refrigerated or frozen in a package cheese tortellini, they cook incredibly fast—often in less than ten minutes!
You don’t have to wait for plain dry pasta to boil forever. The tortellini is ready almost instantly, and because it’s already stuffed with cheese, it adds an immediate boost of creamy flavor to the final dish. When they are coated in the rich heavy cream and Parmesan cheese sauce, these little pasta pillows become soft, tender, and deeply satisfying. Using a quality package cheese tortellini ensures that you get that fantastic, tender bite and cheesy center in every single forkful.
Italian Sausage: Choosing Your Zesty Kick
The Italian sausage is the main flavor driver of this entire recipe. When you cook it down in the large skillet, it releases its savory fat, which then mixes with the olive oil to create the foundation for your rich Parmesan cheese sauce.
You have a great choice to make here:
- Mild Italian Sausage: This is the best choice for families or if you prefer a subtle, warm flavor. It’s seasoned heavily with fennel, garlic, and herbs, but it has no real heat. It gives you all the deep, savory taste without any spicy sausage kick.
- Spicy Italian Sausage: If you like a little heat in your comfort food, choose the spicy sausage. It has the same amazing herbs but with the addition of red pepper flakes (or sometimes cayenne pepper) for a lovely zesty kick.
Whichever kind you choose, remember the golden rule: cook the sausage until it is thoroughly browned and cooked through, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. This ensures the maximum surface area to release all that wonderful flavor into the pan.
The Fresh Factor: The Role of Broccoli Florets
A creamy pasta dish can sometimes feel heavy, but the 3 cups broccoli florets are there to provide balance, color, and nutrition! The broccoli is not only super healthy, but its slight bitterness and crisp-tender texture cut through the richness of the heavy cream and cheese.
We add the broccoli florets directly into the boiling water with the tortellini during the last few minutes of cooking. This clever cooking technique ensures that the broccoli is perfectly cooked—tender enough to bite through, but still bright green and firm (we call this al dente for veggies, too!). This timing is crucial for achieving that beautiful contrast of soft pasta, crunchy vegetable, and creamy sauce that makes this dish so spectacular.
Gathering Your Gear: The Essential Ingredient Checklist
Before you get started, adopting the mise en place mindset will make your cooking process effortless. This means getting all your ingredients measured, chopped, and ready to go. Because the sauce comes together so fast, you won’t want to pause halfway through to mince your garlic or measure your heavy cream! Take a look at the simple list, gather your gear, and then you’re ready for non-stop cooking.
This dish relies on powerful, simple ingredients. Getting the best quality for your Parmesan cheese and using fresh garlic will truly elevate the flavor of your Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli.
The Core Components Checklist
The ingredients are simple, falling into four main categories: the base, the protein, the fresh additions, and the liquids.
| Category | Ingredient Name | Quantity | Purpose in the Recipe | Key Prep Instruction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Cheese Tortellini | 1 package (20 oz) | Quick-cooking pasta filled with cheese. | Boil in salted water (Phase 4). |
| Protein | Italian Sausage | 1 lb | Flavor base; provides savory richness and texture. | Cook until browned and cooked through (Phase 1). |
| Vegetable | Broccoli Florets | 3 cups | Adds color, nutrients, and tender-crisp texture. | Add to boiling water during the last 2-3 minutes of pasta cook time. |
| Aromatic | Garlic, minced | 3 cloves | Essential flavor base for the sauce. | Mince finely before starting the stove work. |
| Liquid | Heavy Cream | 1 cup | Creates the rich, velvety creamy sauce. | Add directly to the skillet (Phase 3). |
| Cheese | Parmesan Cheese | 1 cup | Adds salty, nutty flavor and thickens the sauce. | Should be freshly grated for best melt. |
| Fat | Olive Oil | 1 tablespoon | Used for browning the sausage. | Heat in the large skillet. |
| Seasoning | Salt and Pepper | To taste | Basic seasoning for the sauce and cooking water. | Add during simmering and seasoning (Phase 3). |
| Heat (Optional) | Red Pepper Flakes | 1/4 teaspoon | Adds a quick, easy zesty kick. | Optional, but recommended for flavor depth. |
The Sauce Foundation: Cream, Garlic, and Parmesan
The sauce is the heart of this comfort food dish. It’s a fast, simple sauce made in the pan that gets all its amazing flavor from three key players: heavy cream, minced garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Heavy Cream: This is non-negotiable for that rich, velvety texture. Using a full cup of heavy cream guarantees the sauce will coat the cheese tortellini perfectly without being watery or thin.
- Minced Garlic: The recipe calls for 3 cloves of minced garlic. When you gently sauté this in the residual fat from the sausage and the olive oil, it wakes up and releases its powerful, warm aroma. This aroma is what signals that dinner is going to be truly special.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Always choose freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pre-shredded stuff in a can or bag. The pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking powders that make your sauce grainy. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts smoothly and beautifully into the heavy cream, creating a silky, thick, and luxurious Parmesan cheese sauce that clings to every piece of tortellini. This simple choice is the secret to a professional-quality sauce!
Step-by-Step Mastery: Achieving Creamy Perfection
This whole recipe is a flow—each step builds on the last, adding layers of flavor into the same large skillet. The beauty of the Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli is that the process is completely intuitive. You start with the strongest flavor (the sausage) and end by folding in the mildest (the pasta and tender broccoli).
By using the same pan for almost every step, you ensure that no flavor is left behind. This technique is called “flavor layering” and is why this easy dinner tastes like it took all day to make.
Phase 1: Browning the Sausage Base
This is where your flavor journey begins! You need to brown the Italian sausage perfectly to create the delicious savory base for your sauce.
- Heat the Skillet: Place your large skillet over medium-high heat and add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Cook the Sausage: Add the 1 lb of Italian sausage. As it cooks, use a wooden spoon to break it up into small, uniform crumbles. This ensures the meat cooks evenly and mixes better into the final dish.
- Brown and Drain: Continue cooking until the sausage is fully browned and cooked through, with absolutely no pink remaining. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage crumbles to a plate. Crucial Tip: Leave 1-2 tablespoons of the flavorful sausage fat/oil in the pan! This fat is the secret ingredient that will make your sauce taste amazing. If you have too much fat (more than 2 tablespoons), gently drain the excess before moving on.
- Set Aside: Set the cooked sausage aside.
Phase 2: Building the Velvety Sauce
Now, using that same skillet full of savory sausage residue and fat, you will build the luxurious Parmesan cheese sauce.
- Sauté the Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic (3 cloves) and sauté it gently for about 1 minute. You should smell its sweet, warm aroma instantly. Do not let it burn! If the garlic turns brown, it will taste bitter, and you need to start over.
- Add the Cream: Pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer. Watch it closely! A rapid boil can cause the cream to separate.
- Melt the Cheese: Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and stir in the 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir constantly until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth, thick, and velvety. This should only take a couple of minutes.
- Season: Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and the optional red pepper flakes. Taste the sauce! Does it need a little more salt? Is the zesty kick of the red pepper flakes just right? Adjust now before you add the rest of the ingredients.
Phase 3: The Broccoli and Tortellini Team-Up
While you are cooking the sauce in the skillet, you need to multitask and prepare your pasta and vegetable. This is the cooking technique that saves you time and cuts down on pots!
- Boil Water: In a separate large pot, boil a generous amount of salted water. The salt is essential because it is the only way to season the cheese tortellini from the inside.
- Cook Pasta and Veggies: Add the package cheese tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions (usually 5-8 minutes). During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add the 3 cups broccoli florets to the boiling water along with the pasta.
- Drain Together: Drain the tortellini and broccoli florets together completely.
The Secret to Perfect Pasta and Tender Broccoli
The key here is timing. Tortellini cooks fast, and broccoli florets cook fast, too. By adding the broccoli florets during the last couple of minutes of the pasta cook time, you ensure that the broccoli is perfectly cooked—tender enough to enjoy, but still retaining its vibrant green color and slight crunch. This is the perfect texture contrast to the soft cheese tortellini and the rich creamy sauce. This dual-cooking method is a brilliant meal prep hack for any busy weeknight meal.
Phase 4: The Grand Finish and Serving
The final step is quick and satisfying: bringing all the perfectly cooked elements together.
- Combine: Add the cooked and browned sausage, the drained tortellini, and the tender broccoli to the skillet with your beautiful Garlic Parmesan sauce.
- Toss to Coat: Using a spoon or rubber spatula, gently toss everything together. You want every piece of cheese tortellini and every broccoli floret to be thoroughly coated in the rich, savory Parmesan cheese sauce. Heat everything through for just 1-2 minutes—you don’t want to overcook the sauce or the pasta.
- Serve: Transfer the pasta to serving bowls immediately while it’s hot and the sauce is at its creamiest peak. Garnish with a little extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a crack of black pepper, and enjoy your amazing comfort food!
Troubleshooting Your Creamy Sauce: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
While the Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli is quite easy, working with a cream and cheese sauce can sometimes throw a curveball. You want a smooth, velvety sauce, not a grainy or separated mess! Knowing these simple fixes will make you feel like a seasoned chef, allowing you to quickly solve any potential saucy problems. A perfect, smooth creamy sauce is the goal of this easy dinner.
Why Did My Sauce Turn Grainy?
The most common reason for a grainy sauce is usually related to the cheese or the heat. When dairy gets too hot, the fat and proteins can separate, or “break.”
- Too High Heat: If your heavy cream comes to a rolling boil or if you add the cheese while the heat is too high, the sauce can separate. Always keep the sauce at a gentle simmer or even lower heat when melting the cheese.
- Pre-Grated Cheese: This is the biggest culprit! Pre-shredded cheese often contains powdered cellulose or starch (anti-caking agents) that prevent it from melting smoothly. This causes the sauce to look oily or grainy. Always, always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best results.
The Quick Fix: If your sauce looks a little grainy, take it off the heat immediately. You can try whisking in a tablespoon of cold butter. The extra fat and the cooler temperature can sometimes help the sauce re-emulsify (come back together) and smooth out.
How to Adjust Sauce Thickness
Sometimes, a sauce can come out too thin or too thick. Here’s how to fix it:
- If it’s Too Thin: Let the sauce continue to simmer gently for a few more minutes, uncovered. As the water evaporates, the sauce will naturally thicken. You can also mix a tiny bit of cornstarch (about half a teaspoon) with a teaspoon of cold water and slowly stir that slurry into the simmering sauce. It thickens fast!
- If it’s Too Thick: This is the easiest fix! Simply splash in a few extra tablespoons of heavy cream or, even better, some of the reserved starchy water you used to cook the tortellini and broccoli florets. Stir it in until you reach your desired consistency. This simple fix makes the sauce perfect for coating the cheese tortellini.
Customization Station: Swaps and Flavor Twists
This Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli is a robust and flexible dish. Once you master the original, you’ll feel ready to experiment with other flavors and ingredients. Making simple swaps can transform this comfort food into a brand-new dinner recipe every time you make it! This ability to customize is perfect for using up leftovers or catering to different tastes in your family.
Protein Swaps for Variety
While Italian sausage provides that incredible deep flavor, you can easily swap it out for other proteins if you want a change or if you have something else on hand. Just make sure the protein is browned and cooked through before you build the sauce.
- Chicken: Swap the sausage for 1 pound of ground chicken or shredded chicken (like rotisserie chicken). You might need to add a little more olive oil to the pan since chicken is leaner, and you should add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the chicken while browning for extra flavor.
- Shrimp: Sautéed shrimp is a wonderful alternative. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and a pinch of garlic powder, and sear it quickly in the large skillet before removing it. Add it back to the sauce with the tortellini at the end.
- Vegetarian: For a satisfying meatless option, substitute the sausage with 1 cup of quartered sun-dried tomatoes (add them with the garlic) and 1 can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans (add them at the very end). This maintains the dish’s heartiness and richness.
Boost the Veggies and Add a Zesty Kick
If you want more than just broccoli florets, this sauce welcomes other colorful vegetables. You can also easily ramp up the heat for an even bigger zesty kick.
- Mushrooms: Sliced cremini or button mushrooms are fantastic. Sauté them after removing the sausage and before adding the garlic. Cook them until they release their liquid and start to turn golden brown.
- Spinach: Add two large handfuls of fresh spinach leaves right after you mix the tortellini and broccoli into the sauce. The heat will wilt the spinach in about 30 seconds, adding a lovely green color and extra nutrients to your weeknight meal.
- Sundried Tomatoes: For a sweet and tangy contrast, stir in 1/4 cup of chopped, oil-packed sundried tomatoes (drained) along with the minced garlic. They add beautiful color and an intense burst of flavor.
- Extra Spice: For a noticeable zesty kick, increase the red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon, or stir in a couple of tablespoons of finely diced pickled jalapeños at the end.
Serving Suggestions: Completing Your Comfort Meal
A dish as rich and satisfying as Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli deserves the perfect companions. Since the pasta is creamy and hearty, the best side dishes are usually light, fresh, and slightly acidic. This creates a wonderful balance, ensuring the whole meal is satisfying without being too heavy. These pairings turn your easy dinner into a full, well-rounded comfort food feast.
Garnish and Final Touches
Don’t skip the garnish! It’s the small touch that takes your dinner recipe from good to gourmet.
- Fresh Basil or Parsley: While the recipe calls for minced garlic, adding a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or parsley on top adds a final burst of color and a clean, fresh, herby flavor.
- Extra Parmesan: Never underestimate the power of an extra grating of freshly grated Parmesan cheese right before serving.
- Cracked Black Pepper: Finishing the dish with a generous crank of cracked black pepper (not pre-ground) adds a pungent aroma and a subtle heat that enhances the richness of the heavy cream sauce.
Perfect Side Dish Pairings
To complement the rich Parmesan cheese sauce, aim for fresh, simple sides.
- Simple Green Salad: A basic salad with a vinaigrette made from olive oil and lemon juice is perfect. The acidity of the dressing cuts through the richness of the cream beautifully. [Learn how to make a simple lemon vinaigrette here].
- Crusty Bread: A slice of warm, crusty bread is essential! It’s perfect for soaking up any leftover delicious creamy sauce from the bottom of your bowl—a sign of a truly great comfort food meal.
- Roasted Asparagus: Toss asparagus spears in a little olive oil and roast them until they are tender-crisp. They offer a more substantial green side than the broccoli florets and hold up well to the rich pasta.
| Component | Approximate Serving Size | Calories (Estimate) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Key Nutrient Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Sausage | Per serving (est.) | 200-250 | 14-18 | 15-20 | Iron and Protein (Energy) |
| Tortellini (Cheese) | Per serving (est.) | 250-300 | 12-16 | 8-12 | Complex Carbohydrates (Endurance) |
| Cream/Cheese Sauce | Per serving (est.) | 200-250 | 8-10 | 18-22 | High in Calcium and Saturated Fat |
| Broccoli | Per serving (est.) | 25-35 | 2-3 | <1 | High in Vitamins C & K (Health) |
| Overall Meal | 1/4 of recipe | 675-835 | 36-47 | 42-55 | Hearty, Balanced, and Filling Dinner Recipe |
Note: This is an estimated nutritional breakdown for an average serving, assuming a full-fat heavy cream and 80/20 sausage. Actual values depend on the brands you use and the exact amount of fat drained from the skillet.
Meal Prep and Storage: Enjoying It Later
Creamy pasta dishes are best when served fresh, but with a few clever tips, you can enjoy the leftovers of your Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli for days to come! This recipe is a great candidate for meal prep because the sausage and broccoli components hold up well. Knowing how to reheat the leftovers properly will prevent the sauce from drying out or separating in the microwave.
Reheating for Creamy Results
The biggest enemy of leftover creamy pasta is the microwave, which can make the sauce dry and the pasta tough. Here are the best ways to bring your comfort food back to life:
- Stovetop (Best Method): Scoop your portion into a small skillet. Add a splash (1 to 2 tablespoons) of heavy cream, milk, or chicken broth to the pan. Reheat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth again and the tortellini is hot. The added liquid helps re-emulsify the sauce.
- Microwave (Quick Method): Place your portion in a microwave-safe dish. Before heating, drizzle 1 tablespoon of milk or heavy cream over the pasta and cover the dish loosely with a lid or plastic wrap. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each burst, until hot. The added moisture prevents the pasta from drying out.
Smart Freezer Prep
If you want to save time next week, you can prepare the two main flavor components ahead of time:
- Cook the Sausage: Cook and drain the Italian sausage completely. Once cooled, store the crumbles in a labeled freezer bag.
- Pre-Mince Garlic: Mince the 3 cloves garlic and store them in a small container in the fridge.
- Prep Broccoli: Cut the broccoli florets and store them in a container in the fridge.
By doing this small amount of meal prep, you can cut the active cooking time on the actual dinner night down to about 15 minutes! This makes the Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli an even easier weeknight meal.
Deep Dive: The Science of the Perfect Pasta Shape
The recipe specifically calls for cheese tortellini, and there’s a good reason why a filled pasta works so well here compared to something like spaghetti or penne. It all comes down to the way the food interacts with the Parmesan cheese sauce.
- Surface Area and Cling: Tortellini, with its ridged, bumpy surface and small size, has an incredible amount of surface area. This allows the thick, rich creamy sauce to cling to every single crevice. Every bite of the tortellini is fully coated.
- The Cheesy Core: Because the pasta is already filled with ricotta and other cheeses, it adds an extra layer of richness and flavor to the dish. When the tortellini warms up, the internal cheese filling melts slightly, enhancing the overall ooey-gooey factor of the meal and working in harmony with the heavy cream sauce.
- Portability: Tortellini holds its shape well, making it easy to eat and ensuring the sauce doesn’t just pool at the bottom of the plate. It’s a fantastic, durable pasta shape that stands up perfectly to the savory Italian sausage and tender broccoli florets.
Using filled pasta like cheese tortellini turns this dish into a much more complex and satisfying comfort food experience than using a simple dried pasta shape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About This Comfort Food
It’s completely normal to have questions when perfecting a dish this delicious. These answers will help you feel completely confident in your ability to make the best Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli possible, solving any worries before they even start!
Q1: Do I have to use fresh garlic, or can I use garlic powder?
A: Fresh garlic is highly recommended! The recipe calls for 3 cloves of minced garlic which, when sautéed, release a fragrant oil that truly flavors the entire sauce. Garlic powder is much more potent and lacks the subtle sweetness and aroma of fresh garlic. If you must use a substitute, use only about 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, and add it with the salt and pepper to the sauce, not to the fat base.
Q2: Can I substitute the heavy cream for milk or half-and-half?
A: You can use half-and-half, but the sauce will be noticeably thinner and less rich. Milk will make the sauce too watery. Heavy cream is crucial for that velvety, rich texture that clings to the cheese tortellini. If you use a lower-fat substitute, you will likely need to thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water) to achieve the right consistency. Stick to heavy cream for the best comfort food results!
Q3: What if I can’t find broccoli florets?
A: If you can’t find pre-cut broccoli florets, you can buy a head of broccoli and chop it yourself! Just make sure the pieces are similar in size to the tortellini so they cook evenly and mix well into the final dish. You could also substitute with tender broccoli chopped asparagus pieces or frozen peas (add the peas during the last minute of cooking the pasta).
Q4: My sauce is too salty after adding the Parmesan. What did I do wrong?
A: Parmesan cheese is naturally very salty! The mistake was likely seasoning the sauce heavily with salt and pepper before adding the cheese. Best Practice: Season your sausage as it cooks, but when seasoning the heavy cream sauce, only add a tiny pinch of salt first. Then, add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, let it melt, and then taste the sauce to see if it needs more salt. The cheese usually provides most of the salt the sauce needs.
Q5: Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated?
A: Yes, frozen tortellini works perfectly! The key is to follow the package instructions, as frozen pasta often takes a few minutes longer to cook than refrigerated pasta. Make sure the water is at a rolling boil before you drop them in. You will still add the broccoli florets during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, regardless of whether the tortellini is fresh or frozen, to ensure tender broccoli.
Q6: How can I make this dish more of a baked casserole?
A: This recipe is designed as a stovetop easy dinner, but you can turn it into a bake! Complete all the steps (including combining the tortellini, sausage, and sauce). Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle an extra layer of shredded mozzarella or sharp cheddar over the top. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling. This transforms it into a beautiful, ooey-gooey comfort food casserole. [Click here for tips on converting stovetop meals to bakes].
Final Invitation: Your Next Delicious Adventure
You are now fully equipped to make a stunning batch of Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli. You understand the importance of searing the Italian sausage to build flavor, the magic of using freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a velvety sauce, and the trick of perfectly cooking the broccoli florets alongside the tortellini. You’ve mastered all the steps required to create a perfect weeknight meal that tastes like it came from a fancy Italian restaurant.
This dish is a testament to the fact that the best comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs high-quality ingredients and a simple, smart process. Go ahead, fill your large skillet with these amazing ingredients, and get ready for the incredible aromas to fill your kitchen. This is a recipe you’ll return to again and again.
Ready to start this delicious journey? Grab your heavy cream and your package cheese tortellini and get ready to cook your new family favorite dinner recipe tonight! You deserve this amazing meal.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through. Transfer the cooked sausage to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Prepare Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and the optional red pepper flakes.
- Cook Tortellini & Broccoli: Meanwhile, cook the tortellini in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Add the broccoli florets during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Drain the tortellini and broccoli together.
- Combine: Add the cooked sausage, drained tortellini, and broccoli to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything to coat well.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with extra parmesan and cracked black pepper.


