This Sheet Pan Cheesy Sausage Tortellini is the ultimate easy comfort food dinner! Frozen cheese tortellini gets baked in marinara sauce, topped with creamy ricotta spinach, savory Italian sausage, and finished with plenty of melty mozzarella and parmesan. It’s a family-friendly, one-pan meal that’s packed with flavor!
If there’s one thing I will always say yes to, it’s a sheet pan dinner. The fewer dishes, the better. Especially on a busy weeknight when the last thing I want to do is juggle multiple pots and pans! This sausage tortellini recipe is easy, comforting, and comes together on a single pan with almost no prep.
And honestly? It tastes like something you worked way harder on than you actually did! You’ve got cheesy tortellini, rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and savory sausage all baked together into one bubbly, golden, cozy dish. Trust me, you’re family is going to love this one!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- One-pan meal – It’s a true one-pan meal! Everything cooks together on a sheet pan, which means fewer dishes and less stress.
- It uses simple, convenient ingredients – We’re keeping the prep to a minimum here. Frozen tortellini and jarred marinara make this incredibly weeknight-friendly.
- Ultra cheesy and comforting – Cheese is life! So between the ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, every bite is perfectly packed with cheesy goodness.
- Feeds a crowd easily – Perfect for family dinners or when you want leftovers for the next day!
Recipe Notes
This Sheet Pan Cheesy Sausage Tortellini recipe is as simple as promised! It’s a dump-and-bake style dinner that comes together quickly, making it perfect for a family-friendly pasta night without the hassle.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make sheet pan cheesy sausage tortellini to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Italian Sausage – Adds rich, savory flavor. You can use mild or spicy Italain pork sausage depending on your preference, or swap for ground turkey or chicken sausage.
- Frozen Cheese Tortellini – No need to thaw! This is the ultimate shortcut ingredient that makes this dish so easy.
- Marinara Sauce – Use your favorite jarred sauce for convenience, or homemade if you have it on hand.
- Ricotta + Spinach – This creamy mixture adds a lasagna-like element. You can swap spinach for kale or leave it out if preferred.
- Mozzarella + Parmesan Cheese – For that golden, bubbly finish. Feel free to use an Italian cheese blend instead.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Make it spicy – Use hot Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes for a little kick.
- Add veggies – Toss in mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for extra texture and flavor.
- Switch the protein – Try ground turkey, chicken sausage, or even cooked shredded chicken. You can also opt out of adding meat for a vegetarian option.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make sausage tortellini.
Spread the frozen tortellini on the sheet pan. Add 3 tablespoons of water to the marinara sauce and stir or shake to combine. Then pour the marinara over the tortellini. Use a spatula to toss the sauce with the tortellini to coat. Then spread the tortellini over the pan in a single layer.
Mix together the ricotta cheese, spinach, and salt until combined. Dollop over the tortellini. Then drop small pieces of ground sausage evenly over the top of the sheet pan.
Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the sheet pan from the oven and top evenly with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Return to the oven for 5-8 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – Spread everything into an even layer so the tortellini has room to cook properly. I recommend sticking to a sheet pan and not a baking dish for this recipe!
- Squeeze the spinach well – Make sure to remove as much moisture as possible from the spinach before mixing it with the ricotta. Excess water can make the pasta watery!
- Break the sausage into small pieces – Use your hands or a spoon to create small, even pieces of sausage across the pan. This helps it cook through evenly and ensures you get a little bit of that savory flavor in every bite!
- Broil at the end (optional) – For an extra golden, bubbly cheese topping, switch the oven to broil for the last 1–2 minutes. Just keep a close eye on it so the cheese doesn’t burn!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Skip the ricotta mixture – Just sprinkle everything with cheese for an even simpler version! Especially if you don’t have ricotta on hand, I wouldn’t go to the store just for that.
- Use pre-washed fresh spinach – No thawing or squeezing required! Just chop and mix.
- Buy shredded cheese – Saves a few extra minutes of prep!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this sheet pan cheesy sausage tortellini recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Assemble the tortellini, sauce, ricotta mixture, and sausage in a freezer-safe container (do not bake).
- Cover tightly and freeze.
- When ready to cook, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
How to Freeze Sheet Pan Sausage Tortellini After Cooking
- Let the dish cool completely.
- Portion into airtight containers.
- Freeze for up to 1 month and reheat in the oven or microwave.
What to Serve with Sheet Pan Cheesy Sausage Tortellini
Since this protein based dinner has rich Italian-inspired flavors, it pairs well with many of your favorite sides, from garlic bread to an Italian house salad!
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
Cheesy Sausage Tortellini Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Recipe FAQ’s
What pairs well with tortellini pasta?
Tortellini pairs well with simple sides like garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or roasted vegetables to balance its rich, cheesy filling. It also works beautifully alongside lighter dishes with vinaigrettes or fresh herbs to keep the meal from feeling too heavy.
Does tortellini need to be boiled?
Not always! While tortellini is traditionally boiled, it can also be baked directly in sauce, especially when using frozen tortellini. The added liquid in the sauce helps it cook through and become tender in the oven.
Can you make pasta bake with tortellini?
Yes, tortellini is perfect for pasta bakes because its stuffed center adds extra flavor and texture. It holds up well in the oven and pairs beautifully with sauces, cheeses, and proteins like sausage or chicken!
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just skip the sausage or use your favorite plant-based alternative.
More EASY One Dish Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy one dish recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Sheet Pan Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Spinach Ricotta Chicken Bake
- Sheet Pan Lasagna
- Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Bites
Sheet Pan Cheesy Sausage Tortellini
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 20 ounces frozen cheese tortellini
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 3 tablespoons water
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 12 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F.
- Spread the frozen tortellini on the sheet pan. No need to thaw.
- Add 3 tablespoons of water to the marinara sauce and stir or shake to combine. Then pour the marinara over the tortellini. Use a spatula to toss the sauce with the tortellini to coat. Then spread the tortellini over the pan in a single layer.
- Mix together the ricotta cheese, spinach, and salt until combined. Dollop over the tortellini.Then drop small pieces of ground sausage evenly over the top of the sheet pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the sheet pan from the oven and top evenly with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Return to the oven for 5-8 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
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