Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini Skillet

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

A quick and simple skillet meal combining cheese tortellini, savory chicken sausage, and tangy marinara sauce that kids love. This italian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 15 minutes pairs cheese tortellini, marinara sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 oz cheese tortellini for 3-4 minutes until they float and are tender, then drain.
  2. Step 2: While tortellini cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 12 oz sliced chicken sausage. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sausage is browned and heated through.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup marinara sauce to the skillet with the sausage, stirring to combine, and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce is warmed and slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: Add the drained tortellini to the skillet and gently toss everything together. Cook for an additional 1 minute to let flavors meld, then serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini Skillet 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 Skillet?

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 cheese tortellini from drying out.

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

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 Skillet 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 Skillet?

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.