Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and kid-friendly dinner combining cheese tortellini, savory chicken sausage, and tangy marinara sauce. This italian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 15 minutes pairs package cheese tortellini, marinara sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz cheese tortellini and cook for 3-4 minutes until the tortellini float to the surface and are tender but still firm to the bite, then drain.
  2. Step 2: While the tortellini cooks, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 4 sliced chicken sausage links (about 12 oz) and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low and stir in 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce with the cooked sausage. Add the drained tortellini to the skillet and gently toss everything together to coat the tortellini in the sauce. Heat for 1-2 minutes until warmed through, then serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep package cheese tortellini from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini?

Italian kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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