Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini with Marinara
A quick and comforting pasta dish combining tender cheese tortellini, savory chicken sausage, and rich marinara sauce — perfect for busy nights. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 15 minutes pairs cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen), marinara sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 12 oz, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces pre-cooked chicken sausage
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz cheese tortellini and cook for 3-5 minutes until tender and floating. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: While the tortellini cooks, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the 12 oz sliced chicken sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and heated through.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low and pour in 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce with the cooked sausage. Stir gently and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is hot and slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Add the drained tortellini to the skillet with the sauce and sausage. Toss gently to coat every piece with sauce and warm everything through for 1 minute before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini with Marinara 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 with Marinara?
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 marinara sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Three-Ingredient Chicken Sausage Tortellini with Marinara?
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 with Marinara 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 with Marinara?
Italian pasta 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.
