Tortellini with Sausage and Peppers

A quick homemade meat sauce with sausage, bell peppers, and tomatoes is tossed with tortellini for a delicious weeknight meal.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 463 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• ¼ cup dry red wine
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 12 ounces sweet Italian sausage links
• 1 (16 ounce) package fresh tortellini

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine sausage links and water in a large skillet and bring to a boil, about 5 minutes. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until juices run clear, about 15 minutes. Drain off water and cook links in the skillet, stirring frequently, until browned, 2 to 4 minutes more. Remove from skillet, allow to cool, and cut into 1/2-inch diagonal slices. Wipe skillet clean using a paper towel.

Step 2

Place skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add onion to hot oil and cook until tender but not brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, oregano, and red pepper. Add cooked sausage and bell pepper to the skillet. Bring to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer to desired thickness, about 20 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a saucepan, about 5 minutes. Add tortellini, reduce heat slightly and boil until pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain and return pasta to the warm saucepan. Stir parsley into the sausage mixture, pour over pasta, and serve immediately.