Imagine a creamy, comforting pasta dish that comes together in just 25 minutes with minimal effort and maximum flavor. This Instant Pot Creamy Sausage Tortellini is about to become your secret weapon for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen. Packed with savory Italian sausage, tender cheese tortellini, and a luxurious cream sauce, this one-pot wonder will have your family begging for seconds before they've even finished their first bite!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 20 oz cheese tortellini
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup spinach
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Remove Italian sausage from casings and break into small pieces. Select the Sauté function on the Instant Pot and brown the sausage until no longer pink, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the sausage, leaving a small amount for flavor. Keep the sausage in the Instant Pot.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping the bottom to release any browned bits. This will prevent burning and add depth to the flavor.
- Add uncooked cheese tortellini to the pot, ensuring they are submerged in the liquid. Do not stir, as tortellini should remain in a single layer.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on Manual/Pressure Cook high pressure for 3-4 minutes, depending on tortellini package instructions.
- Once cooking completes, perform a quick release of pressure to prevent overcooking the pasta.
- Stir in heavy cream and fresh spinach, allowing the residual heat to wilt the spinach and create a creamy sauce.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to thicken the sauce. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Tips
- Use fresh Italian sausage and remove it from the casings for the best flavor and texture.
- Don't stir the tortellini when adding to the pot - layering helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking.
- Be precise with cooking time to avoid mushy pasta - 3-4 minutes is the sweet spot for most cheese tortellini.
- A quick pressure release is crucial to stop the cooking process and prevent overcooking.
- Use fresh spinach for the best color and nutrient boost, and let it wilt naturally in the residual heat.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes a huge difference - skip the pre-grated stuff if possible.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it with a little extra chicken broth. If it's too thin, let it sit for a few extra minutes to reduce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 650kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 110mg
