Vodka Sauce with Tortellini and Sausage
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this rich and creamy Vodka Sauce with Tortellini and Sausage. This hearty dish combines tender cheese tortellini, perfectly browned Italian sausage, and a luscious tomato-vodka cream sauce that's infused with garlic, onion, and a touch of spice. The sauce comes together in just 30 minutes, with layers of flavor built from simmering tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners or a cozy weekend meal, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of tangy, smoky, and savory. Serve it with fresh basil and extra Parmesan for a restaurant-quality experience at your own table. Keywords: vodka sauce, tortellini, Italian sausage, creamy pasta, easy dinner recipe, comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz Cheese tortellini
- 8 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 28 oz Crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup Vodka
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Remove the casings from the Italian sausage (if using links) and crumble the sausage into the pan. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor. Pour in the vodka and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet and let the mixture simmer for another 5 minutes.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Add the cooked tortellini to the sauce, gently tossing to coat evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
Serve the tortellini with vodka sauce hot, garnished with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3812 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 207.3 g | 266% | |
| Saturated Fat | 97.0 g | 485% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 599 mg | 200% | |
| Sodium | 6150 mg | 267% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 223.9 g | 81% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.8 g | 74% | |
| Total Sugars | 35.2 g | ||
| Protein | 121.3 g | 243% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1632 mg | 126% | |
| Iron | 13.6 mg | 76% | |
| Potassium | 2846 mg | 61% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
