Marry Me Tortellini transforms the rich and satisfying goodness of the Italian chicken dinner into an ultra comforting bowl of cheesy pasta. This one-pan wonder comes together in just 30 minutes – perfect for a quick and easy family meal or when you want to impress dinner guests!
While the OG version of this recipe features juicy chicken breasts smothered in an indulgent and Italian-seasoned sun-dried tomato cream sauce, I’ve opted to use Italian sausage instead and introduced cheese tortellini. And the results speak for themselves – a truly irresistible bowl of rich Tuscan-inspired flavors and comforting textures.
Table of Contents
With a name like Marry Me Tortellini, this creamy, dreamy pasta is basically a proposal on a plate! And given how effortlessly the “Marry Me” magic translates into everything from meatballs to soup, trying this tortellini version isn’t just a good idea; it’s a no-brainer!
Ingredient notes
- Italian sausage – You can use sweet, mild, or hot Italian sausage depending on your heat preference. Make sure to remove the casings for easy crumbling and browning.
- Shallot and garlic – Start this recipe by sautéing the minced shallot and garlic cloves for a rich and aromatic foundation of flavor.
- Canned crushed tomatoes – Undrained for extra saucy depth. This, combined with the broth, forms the richly flavorful liquid base in which the tortellini cooks.
- Chicken broth – Use a good-quality, low-sodium chicken broth or homemade bone broth. If you want something a bit richer, parmesan broth takes this pasta recipe to another level!
- Sun-dried tomatoes – This adds sweet, tangy bursts of flavor. I prefer the oil-packed sliced sun-dried tomatoes since it has better flavor than the dried sun-dried tomatoes. Make sure to drain any excess oil.
- Italian seasoning – A preferred seasoning when making any home-cooked Italian dish!
- Paprika – For a delicious touch of warmth.
- Red pepper flakes – Offers a little kick of heat without overpowering the rest of the dish. Feel free to adjust this to suit your preference.
- Salt and pepper – Enhances the flavors of the dish. Plus more to taste.
- Heavy cream – Stirred in off heat to create a luxuriously rich and silky sauce. For a lighter option, use half-and-half or whole milk.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds a salty, umami punch. Finely grated Parmesan blends smoothly. You could also use Pecorino Romano (a saltier option), Grana Padano (milder), or vegan Parmesan.
- Packaged cheese tortellini (fresh or dried) – Store-bought packaged refrigerated cheese tortellini offer massive convenience for whipping up this dish. You could also use spinach or mushroom tortellini.The tortellini is added directly to the simmering sun-dried tomato broth, infusing incredible flavor as it softens and cooks.
- Fresh lemon – The citrus notes of fresh lemon juice and zest balance out the creamy richness of this Marry Me Tortellini. You could use a splash of white wine instead for acidity.
- Baby spinach – Softened in the residual heat just before serving. If you need to use frozen spinach instead, make sure it is properly thawed and squeezed dry before added.
- Basil leaves – Use fresh basil leaves as garnish for serving. Check out a great tip on how to freeze basil if you have extra.
How to make it
- Cook the sausage: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced shallot and garlic; and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Build the sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 15 minutes.
- Cook the tortellini: Add the cheese tortellini to the simmering sauce to cook until tender, about 5-10 minutes.
- Finish and garnish: Once the tortellini is cooked, turn the heat off and stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, baby spinach, and fresh lemon. Stir to combine and wilt the spinach. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired.
More fun twists to Marry Me Chicken
Once you’ve fallen for the original, these irresistible ‘Marry Me’ twists are practically asking for a sequel!
- Marry Me Chicken Soup: This one-pot soup is a 30-minute bowl of pure comfort, using the same rich, creamy goodness of Marry Me Chicken – an instant family favorite.
- Marry Me Beans: Transform humble canned white beans into a rich, garlicky one-pot comfort meal, thanks to a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
- Marry Me Chicken Meatballs: Italian-seasoned chicken meatballs, simmered in a dreamy sun-dried tomato cream sauce. This one’s worthy of date nights, dinner parties, and everything in between!
Tips and tricks
- Cook the tortellini directly in the sauce to let it absorb the rich flavors while simplifying cleanup and adding convenience without having to cook the pasta separately.
- Add the tortellini towards the second half of cooking to ensure it stays al dente, as overcooking it in the simmering broth can turn it mushy.
- Stir the tortellini occasionally as it simmers to prevent sticking and ensure even absorption of the broth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning just before serving.
- Let the dish rest for a few minutes after completion to allow the sauce to thicken and cling to the tortellini.
- Use a large enough skillet or Dutch oven to comfortably hold all of the ingredients.
- Fresh tortellini cooks faster than dried. Make sure to check the package cooking instructions to prevent overcooking and adjust the time accordingly.
- Add 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil for a boost of flavor. I recommend only doing this towards the end of the cooking time to better assess whether it’s needed/desired.
- Scraping up the browned bits (fond) is crucial because it dissolves those flavorful, caramelized bits from the sausage into the sauce, creating a richer, deeper, and more complex flavor base.
Variations
No matter your taste or dietary needs, this popular Tuscan pasta dish can be easily customized with a few clever and simple twists. Here are some of my top favorite ways to vary this recipe:
- Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free tortellini.
- Vegetarian Marry Me Tortellini– Swap the sausage for vegetables (mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, celery, bell peppers, additional spinach). Just remember to drain any excess moisture from the vegetables before adding them.
- Extra creamy sauce – Add softened cream cheese or more heavy cream for a thicker and creamier sauce. Adjust the other liquids to achieve the desired consistency.
- Spicy Marry Me Tortellini -If you want to turn up the heat, use hot Italian sausage and increase the red pepper flakes.
- Low-carb Marry Me Tortellini – Swap the tortellini for zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
- Dairy-free Marry Me Tortellini – Use dairy-free parmesan or nutritional yeast instead of real parmesan, replace the heavy cream with coconut cream or coconut milk, and make sure the cheese tortellini are dairy-free or use mushroom or spinach tortellini instead.
- Meaty twists – Use browned ground beef, bacon, chicken, or shrimp.
Serving suggestions
This Marry Me tortellini is delicious on its own, but even better with the right pairings! Serve it with crusty bread for soaking up the sauce, fresh salads for balance, or roasted veggies for a heartier meal. Here are my top picks:
- Roasted carrots, zucchini, broccoli, or bell peppers
Storing
- Store leftover Marry Me tortellini in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- While possible, freezing is not recommended for this dish as the pasta may become mushy upon thawing. If freezing, store in portioned containers for up to 1 month, but expect a slight change to the texture, especially due to the heavy cream in the sauce.
- Gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to restore its texture, stirring frequently over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Erin’s wine pairings for Marry Me tortellini
The perfect glass of wine can elevate this rich and creamy dish from a simple midweek meal to a memorable occasion. Here are a few for you to try:
- For a lighter, crisper option, Pinot Gris provides a refreshing contrast.
- Opt for a fruity Rosé for a refreshing, light, and summery pairing.
- Prefer red? Go with a light to medium-bodied Chianti or Pinot Noir.
- Feel free to also check out The Best Wine with Pasta: 7 Great Options!
More creamy Italian dishes
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Full Recipe
Marry Me Tortellini
Marry Me Tortellini transforms the rich and satisfying goodness of the Italian chicken dinner into an ultra comforting bowl of cheesy pasta. This one-pan wonder comes together in just 30 minutes – perfect for a quick and easy family meal or when you want to impress dinner guests!
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Serves 6 people
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot, casings removed)
- 1 shallot (minced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained and chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated )
- 1 20-ounce package cheese tortellini (fresh or dried)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice (plus 1 teaspoon lemon zest)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish (optional))
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 1/2 pound Italian sausage breaking up with a spoon.
- Add 1 shallot and 3 cloves garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Stir in the 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon paprika, Pinch red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the 1 20-ounce package cheese tortellini and simmer for 5–10 minutes until the tortellini is tender.
- Turn the heat off and add in the 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, 2 cups baby spinach. Stir to combine and wilt the spinach.
- Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!
Notes
Storing
- Store leftover Marry Me tortellini in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- While possible, freezing is not recommended for this dish as the pasta may become mushy upon thawing. If freezing, store in portioned containers for up to 1 month, but expect a slight change to the texture, especially due to the heavy cream in the sauce.
- Gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to restore its texture, stirring frequently over medium-low heat until warmed through.
- Cook the tortellini directly in the sauce to let it absorb the rich flavors while simplifying cleanup and adding convenience without having to cook the pasta separately.
- Add the tortellini towards the second half of cooking to ensure it stays al dente, as overcooking it in the simmering broth can turn it mushy.
- Stir the tortellini occasionally as it simmers to prevent sticking and ensure even absorption of the broth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning just before serving.
- Let the dish rest for a few minutes after completion to allow the sauce to thicken and cling to the tortellini.
- Use a large enough skillet or Dutch oven to comfortably hold all of the ingredients.
- Fresh tortellini cooks faster than dried. Make sure to check the package cooking instructions to prevent overcooking and adjust the time accordingly.
- Add 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil for a boost of flavor. I recommend only doing this towards the end of the cooking time to better assess whether it’s needed/desired.
- Scraping up the browned bits (fond) is crucial because it dissolves those flavorful, caramelized bits from the sausage into the sauce, creating a richer, deeper, and more complex flavor base.
- Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free tortellini.
- Vegetarian Marry Me Tortellini– Swap the sausage for vegetables (mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, celery, bell peppers, additional spinach). Just remember to drain any excess moisture from the vegetables before adding them.
- Extra creamy sauce – Add softened cream cheese or more heavy cream for a thicker and creamier sauce. Adjust the other liquids to achieve the desired consistency.
- Spicy Marry Me Tortellini – If you want to turn up the heat, use hot Italian sausage and increase the red pepper flakes.
- Low-carb Marry Me Tortellini – Swap the tortellini for zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
- Dairy-free Marry Me Tortellini – Use dairy-free parmesan or nutritional yeast instead of real parmesan, replace the heavy cream with coconut cream or coconut milk, and make sure the cheese tortellini are dairy-free or use mushroom or spinach tortellini instead.
- Meaty twists – Use browned ground beef, bacon, chicken, or shrimp.
Nutrition
Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 726mg | Potassium: 541mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1547IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 2mg
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