Sweet n’ Spicy Italian Sausage & Mushroom Tortellini

Juicy sausage, tender mushrooms, and pillowy cheese tortellini all wrapped up in a rich, slightly sweet, slightly spicy sauce. If you’ve never added a touch of sweetness to your pasta sauce, consider this your sign. It’s the ultimate balance of flavors…spicy, savory, and just a little unexpected. And the best part? It all comes together in about 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner when you want something indulgent without spending hours in the kitchen.

Quick Tips

• Brown the sausage without stirring too much so it gets nice color
• Slice mushrooms a little thick so they hold their shape
• Salt the pasta water generously
• Cook tortellini just until it floats, then move it straight into the sauce
• Use a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick
• Add a small pinch of sugar or honey if you want more sweetness to balance the spice
• Finish with grated parmesan and a squeeze of lemon for brightness
• Stir in baby spinach at the end if you want some greens
• When reheating, add a splash of water, broth, or cream to bring the sauce back

Yield: 4

Author: Sippin Foodie

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Sweet n’ Spicy Italian Sausage & Mushroom Tortellini

Juicy sausage, tender mushrooms, and cheesy tortellini all hanging out in a rich, slightly spicy, slightly sweet sauce. If you’ve never added a little sweetness to your pasta sauce, well… congratulations on living a very safe and predictable life. But seriously, give it a shot. The combo of sweet, spicy, and classic Italian flavors is basically a flavor jackpot. Taste as you go, adjust as needed.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 30 Min

Ingredients

• 9 oz cheese tortellini
• 14 oz Italian sausage links, sliced into ½-inch pieces
• 8 oz white mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4.5 oz tomato paste (¾ of a 6 oz can)
• ¾ cup chicken broth or water
• ⅓ cup white wine
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes, to taste
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp honey, plus more if desired
• Chopped parsley, for garnish
• Grated Parmesan, for serving

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain, reserving ¼ cup pasta water, and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
3. Add mushrooms, toss to combine, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Remove sausage and mushrooms from the pan and set aside.
4. In the same pan over medium heat, add tomato paste. Gradually stir in chicken broth and white wine, mixing until smooth and sauce-like.
5. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low-medium. Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, butter, garlic powder, and honey. Let simmer for a few minutes, adjusting seasoning to taste.
6. Return sausage and mushrooms to the pan, stirring to coat in the sauce.
7. Add cooked tortellini and reserved pasta water, tossing to combine. Drizzle with additional honey if desired.
8. Let sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley and Parmesan. Enjoy!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Sweet, Spicy & Savory – The perfect balance of bold flavors.
✔️ One-Pan Wonder – Less cleanup, more time to enjoy.
✔️ Fast & Easy – Ready in about 30 minutes.
✔️ Versatile – Use your favorite sausage, adjust the spice level, or add more veggies.

This dish is cozy, indulgent, and a total flavor bomb—basically, everything you want in a pasta night. Try it once, and it’ll definitely be making a repeat appearance in your dinner rotation.