This sausage from Italy Everyone in your family will be begging you to make it again and again during the week!
Recipes with Italian sausage, like Spicy Italian Sausage Dip, Tortellini Soup, or Italian Sausage Meatballs, are great because they can be made quickly and taste great. This Italian Sausage & Tortellini Skillet is no exception!.
Wellsley Farms Italian sausage tortellini is a delicious and convenient store-bought pasta that makes whipping up a quick, tasty meal easy. The stuffed pasta pockets are filled with a savory blend of Italian sausage, cheese, and seasonings for instant flavor. But to truly enjoy these tortellini to their fullest potential, it’s key to know how to cook them properly.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide tips and step-by-step instructions for cooking Wellsley Farms Italian sausage tortellini perfectly every time Whether simmering on the stovetop, baking in the oven, or keeping things simple, we’ve got you covered Read on to become a Wellsley Farms tortellini cooking pro!
Before jumping into cooking methods, let’s take a moment to better understand these delightful stuffed pastas. Wellsley Farms Italian sausage tortellini features:
-
Tender pasta shells stuffed with a cheesy sausage filling
-
A blend of Italian spices like garlic, basil, oregano, and fennel
-
The bold, meaty flavor of pork and Italian sausage
-
A comforting, pillowy texture when cooked just right
This winning combination makes Wellsley Farms tortellini a satisfying choice for meals from quick weeknight dinners to special occasion feasts. The versatility also lends itself to endless recipe customization. Now let’s explore surefire ways to unlock maximum flavor and texture.
Helpful Tips for Cooking Tortellini to Perfection
Following a few simple guidelines ensures tender properly cooked tortellini every time. Here are some handy tips
-
Read packaging for cook times as a starting point
-
Bring ample water to a rapid boil before adding pasta
-
Stir immediately after adding to prevent sticking
-
Test doneness early and often until perfect texture is achieved
-
Drain immediately once cooked and stop cooking process
-
Avoid overcooking, which can lead to mushy results
Now let’s dive into specific cooking methods to try with Wellsley Farms tortellini!
Stovetop Simmering for Simple Weeknight Meals
For quick stovetop meals, simmering Wellsley Farms tortellini in broth or sauce is a straightforward option. Here’s a simple stovetop method:
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat.
-
Add tortellini and stir immediately to prevent sticking.
-
Cook 2-3 minutes, taste testing frequently for preferred doneness.
-
Drain thoroughly and toss with your favorite sauce.
-
Simmer in sauce for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
-
Serve while hot topped with parmesan cheese if desired.
The key is pulling the tortellini once just al dente and avoiding overcooking. Time it right for tender yet firm texture.
Baking Tips for Creamy, Indulgent Tortellini
For a creamy, luxurious pasta dish, baking Wellsley Farms tortellini is a great option. Simply:
-
Preheat oven to 375°F.
-
Boil tortellini 2 minutes short of package time.
-
Drain pasta and mix with sauce of choice in casserole dish.
-
Top with cheese and bake 15 minutes until bubbling.
-
Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
The hot oven melds the sauce and cheese into a decadent tortellini treat. Feel free to get creative with add-ins like meat, veggies, or herbs.
Keeping it Simple – Wellsley Farms Tortellini Shines on its Own
If you want to highlight the stellar flavors of the tortellini itself, keeping things simple is the way to go. Just:
-
Boil tortellini according to package instructions for al dente texture.
-
Drain immediately and toss with a touch of olive oil or butter.
-
Season to taste with salt, pepper, parmesan, and fresh herbs.
-
Serve while hot as-is or over greens for an easy yet impressive salad.
Allowing the tortellini’s fantastic cheesy sausage filling to take center stage lets you appreciate this quality store-bought pasta. Easy elegance at its finest!
Complementary Sauces and Ingredients for Endless Recipe Ideas
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to get creative with recipes! Wellsley Farms tortellini pairs fabulously with all different sauces and ingredients. Consider:
-
Hearty tomato or vodka sauce – classics!
-
Alfredo or pesto – rich, creamy perfection
-
Sundried tomatoes, artichokes, spinach – quality add-ins
-
Chicken, shrimp, or sausage – protein power
-
As the base for soups, casseroles, pastas, and more
The options are endless. Use high quality ingredients to highlight, rather than mask, the already delicious tortellini.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Tortellini
Like any cooked pasta, Wellsley Farms tortellini is best consumed fresh but lasts about 5 days refrigerated. To revive leftovers:
-
Store cooled tortellini in airtight container in fridge
-
Reheat gently in saucepan with a splash of water or sauce
-
Microwave in 30 second intervals, checking frequently
Avoid overheating, which can turn leftover tortellini to mush. Handle gently when reheating for a quick pasta pick-me-up anytime.
Frequently Asked Wellsley Farms Tortellini Questions
If this is your first rodeo cooking Wellsley Farms tortellini, chances are you have some questions. Here are answers to some commonly asked queries:
How long does uncooked tortellini last in the fridge?
Store uncooked tortellini in original packaging up to 5 days past the use-by date.
Can you freeze Wellsley Farms tortellini?
Yes, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag.
What’s the best pasta to sauce ratio?
Aim for 1.5 cups sauce per 1 pound dried tortellini, or follow sauce package instructions.
Should I rinse Wellsley Farms tortellini after cooking?
Avoid rinsing to prevent washing away starch needed for sauce to cling.
Can I substitute Wellsley Farms tortellini in recipes calling for fresh?
Absolutely! You may just need to slightly reduce cook time.
Satisfyingly Simple to Sensationally Gourmet
Armed with this guide, you’re ready to cook Wellsley Farms Italian sausage tortellini to cheesy, saucy perfection. From stovetop simmers to baked casseroles and everything in between, you’ll be amazed at how easy preparing this quality store-bought pasta can be. So grab a box of Wellsley Farms tortellini and get ready to whip up some magic in your kitchen!
How To Make One Pan Italian Sausage and Tortellini
See recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Cook the Sausage. Start by cooking Italian Sausage with onions and garlic until the sausage is no longer pink. Use a wooden spoon to crumble the sausage as it cooks. Drain any extra grease from the skillet and return the sausage to the pan.
Add Sauce and Simmer. Add spaghetti sauce, water, seasonings, and tortellini to the pan and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and cook for 7-8 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
Add Cheese and Broil. Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. There are two methods for melting the cheese – cover and melt or broil. My favorite is under the broiler where you get those lovely crunchy brown bits as the mozzarella broils.
Serve. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve immediately!
Why We Love This Recipe
One Pan Meals are the kind of dinners you need in your weeknight recipe arsenal. Their preparation is quick and simple, and I promise they taste great if you get them from my website.
This easy Italian Sausage and Tortellini Skillet meal is fast to prepare and so delicious. It’s a quick meal to get on the table when you’re in a hurry. The prep work only takes 5–10 minutes, and the cooking only takes 15 minutes. Dinner will be ready in no time.
The tortellini is tender and flavorful, with an extra boost from being cooked right in the sauce. The sausage gives a nice savory, salty, or even spicy bite that compliments the creamy cheese. The leftovers are amazing, too!.
There are just 5 simple ingredients, and it only takes about 30 minutes to make. You can use ground beef instead of sausage, but we love how the ground Italian sausage tastes with the soft, cheesy pasta.
- Italian Sausage – Ground Italian Sausage is so flavorful. If you want, you can use sausage links and just take the casings off.
- Fresh Tortellini—I always buy a few packages of fresh tortellini to keep in my freezer and only use them for this recipe. You can usually find this in the cooler part of the grocery store. It might work with dry tortellini, but I haven’t tried it yet. Just give it a little more time to cook.
- Marinara: I always have a few jars of marinara sauce on hand in case I need a quick meal. But when I’m really in the mood, I’ll make some of my own homemade sausage sauce or spaghetti sauce.
- Onion and garlic are cooked with the sausage to make it taste better.
- Water or Broth? I usually choose water, but beef broth would make it taste even better.