Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Beef Sausage & Broccoli is a delicious pasta dish that combines garlic and parmesan into a rich sauce. It is perfect for any occasion, especially weeknights and date nights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian beef sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 medium head)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced (optional)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 18–20 ounces fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
- Salt for pasta water
- Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Wash and cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Mince garlic and finely dice the onion (if using). Grate 1 cup of fresh Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish. Gather all liquids and spices.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef sausage, breaking it apart, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned. Transfer sausage to a plate, leaving 1-2 tablespoons of fat in the pan. Add broccoli to the skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp, seasoning with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Transfer broccoli to the plate with the sausage.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add 3 tbsp butter to the skillet. Once melted, add onion (if using) and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup flour, whisking for 1-2 minutes to form a light roux.
- Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth until smooth, then bring to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and slowly whisk in 1 1/2 cups heavy cream. Stir in 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes until melted and smooth. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- While the sauce simmers on low, bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add tortellini and cook according to package directions (2-5 minutes). Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain tortellini thoroughly.
- Add the drained tortellini, cooked beef sausage, and sautéed broccoli directly into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- This dish is great for leftovers.
- You can substitute the beef sausage with turkey sausage for a lighter option.
- Adjust the garlic and red pepper flakes according to your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg