Creamy, garlicky, and packed with savory goodness, this Garlic Butter Tortellini in Creamy Sauce with Beef, Italian Sausage & Spinach is the comfort dish you didn’t know you needed. With tender cheese tortellini soaking up a luscious cream sauce, bites of seasoned beef and sausage, and a fresh touch of wilted spinach, this pasta dish is a full meal in one pot. Every bite bursts with flavor, making it perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, or those days when you need something hearty but easy to throw together.

What makes this recipe so special is the way the different textures and flavors balance each other. The garlic butter adds a silky richness, while the Italian sausage brings a bit of spice. Add in the beef for depth and protein, and let the spinach round it all out with freshness. It’s the kind of meal you make once and then crave weekly.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Tortellini in Creamy Sauce with Beef, Italian Sausage & Spinach

This dish comes together quickly with minimal prep and delivers big on flavor. It feels like something you’d get at a restaurant, but it’s simple enough to whip up on a weeknight. The creamy garlic sauce clings beautifully to the tortellini, and each forkful is packed with satisfying bites of meat and tender pasta.

You’ll love that it can be made in one pan, which means fewer dishes to clean. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile. Add mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or switch out the sausage for turkey or even a plant-based option. It’s comfort food that can be personalized endlessly.

What Kind of Tortellini Should I Use?

For this dish, refrigerated cheese tortellini works best. It cooks up quickly, stays tender, and its cheesy filling pairs perfectly with the richness of the sauce. You can find it in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. If you only have frozen tortellini, that works too, just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure it’s fully tender. Avoid dry tortellini as it tends to be less flavorful and might not hold up as well in the creamy sauce.

Garlic Butter Tortellini in Creamy Sauce with Beef, Italian Sausage & Spinach (1)

Ingredients for the Garlic Butter Tortellini in Creamy Sauce with Beef, Italian Sausage & Spinach

This dish may sound indulgent, but the ingredients are straightforward and easy to find. Each component brings its own magic to the pan, helping create layers of richness, spice, and comfort. Here’s what you’ll need to make it come to life:

Cheese tortellini – These little pasta pockets are the heart of the dish. The cheesy filling pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.
Ground beef – Adds a deep, savory flavor and protein that makes the dish hearty.
Italian sausage – Brings spice and complexity to balance the creaminess.
Fresh spinach – Lightens the dish and adds a pop of color and nutrition.
Butter – The base of the garlic butter sauce, giving richness to every bite.
Garlic – A must for that classic savory aroma and flavor.
Heavy cream – Makes the sauce indulgent and smooth.
Parmesan cheese – Adds saltiness and umami to tie everything together.
Salt and pepper – Essential for seasoning every layer.
Olive oil – Helps with browning the meat and adding a hint of fruity richness.

How To Make the Garlic Butter Tortellini in Creamy Sauce with Beef, Italian Sausage & Spinach

Step 1: Brown the Meats

In a large skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the ground beef and Italian sausage together until browned and cooked through, breaking them up with a spoon as they cook. Drain excess fat and set the meat aside.

Step 2: Build the Garlic Butter Base

In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about a minute, just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: Add the Tortellini

Add the cheese tortellini directly into the sauce. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini is tender and infused with flavor.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Return the cooked beef and sausage to the skillet. Stir to combine and let everything heat through.

Step 6: Wilt the Spinach

Toss in the fresh spinach and gently stir until it wilts into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Serve hot, straight from the skillet. Garnish with extra Parmesan or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like some heat.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

Even a simple recipe like Garlic Butter Tortellini in Creamy Sauce with Beef, Italian Sausage & Spinach can have its pitfalls if you’re not careful. One of the most common missteps is overcooking the tortellini. It should be just tender, not mushy, so keep an eye on it during simmering. Using too much heat when adding the garlic can also backfire, as burnt garlic will add bitterness to the dish.

Another issue is not draining the meat properly. Excess fat from the beef and sausage can make the final dish greasy, so always drain after browning. Lastly, resist the temptation to dump all the spinach in at once; adding it gradually helps it wilt evenly and keeps the texture just right.

Serving and Storing Garlic Butter Tortellini in Creamy Sauce with Beef, Italian Sausage & Spinach

This recipe is a complete, satisfying meal on its own and serves around 4 to 6 people generously. Serve it fresh from the pan with a sprinkle of Parmesan and maybe a glass of red wine on the side for an extra treat.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently over low heat to prevent the cream sauce from breaking. A splash of milk or cream can help bring back the original creaminess. Freezing isn’t ideal because the texture of the tortellini and cream can change, but it can be done in a pinch.

What to Serve With Garlic Butter Tortellini?

Garlic Bread

Nothing sops up creamy sauce quite like a warm, crusty piece of garlic bread. It complements the buttery notes of the dish perfectly.

Caesar Salad

A chilled Caesar salad adds crunch and freshness, balancing out the rich pasta.

Roasted Broccoli

Roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper, broccoli adds a charred depth and a healthy veggie side.

Caprese Skewers

Fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze bring a fresh, tangy twist to your meal.

Antipasto Platter

Serve a small board with marinated olives, cured meats, and cheeses for a full Italian-inspired dinner.

Creamy Polenta

Soft polenta can make a lovely starchy side if you’re feeding a crowd or want something more filling.

Sautéed Mushrooms

Earthy and buttery, mushrooms fit right in with the creamy flavors and add texture.

White Wine or Sparkling Water

To balance the richness, a chilled glass of white wine or sparkling water with lemon can refresh the palate.

Want More Pasta Ideas?

If you can’t get enough of hearty, creamy pasta dishes like this one, here are a few other favorites you’ll want to try next:

Marry Me Chicken Pasta: A Creamy Flavor-Packed Delight has a tangy tomato cream sauce that pairs perfectly with chicken.
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is full of Italian sausage, garlic, and spinach in a decadent sauce.
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rotini delivers similar creamy comfort with chicken and Parmesan.
Cheese Shrimp Penne Pasta with Spinach adds seafood flair with a rich blend of cheese and shrimp.
One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta for those who want similar flavors with easier cleanup.

Save This Recipe For Later

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And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use a different type of sausage or add mushrooms? I’d love to hear what worked for you.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting dinners and comfort food classics on Nina Dishes on Pinterest and discover your next go-to meal inspiration.

Conclusion

Garlic Butter Tortellini in Creamy Sauce with Beef, Italian Sausage & Spinach is a one-pan wonder that brings the best of comfort food into your kitchen. It’s easy to prepare, satisfying to eat, and flexible enough to make your own. Whether you’re cooking for the family or meal-prepping for the week, this dish hits all the marks: creamy, meaty, garlicky, and deeply delicious.