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    Italian Sausage and Tortellini Dinner with Sweet Potatoes and Bell Peppers

    By Julia | Updated: Nov 10, 2023 | Published: Nov 17, 2022 | 12 Comments

    493 shares
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    Italian Sausage and Tortellini with Sweet Potatoes and Bell Peppers is an easy 30-minute weeknight dinner that a whole family will love! It has everything you want in a complete meal: protein (sausage), veggies (sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and green onions), and pasta (tortellini). This recipe is perfect for meal prep, making ahead, and freezing.

    Sweet Potato Skillet with Tortellini, Sausage, and Bell Peppers.

     

    Italian Sausage and Tortellini Dinner with Sweet Potatoes and Bell Peppers

    This is one of those rare recipes that combine healthy ingredients with comfort food. This family-friendly weeknight dinner is packed with sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and green onions. Add spicy Italian sausage and cheese tortellini to the mix, and you have a winner! This delicious recipe is packed with flavor and made with simple ingredients in any pantry.  You can easily make it ahead or freeze and serve any day of the week to your family and friends. It also looks colorful and fancy enough to make for the Fall and Winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve).

    Sweet Potato Skillet with Tortellini, Sausage, and Bell Peppers.

    Why make it

    • 30-minute recipe. This complete and well-balanced meal takes only 30 minutes! Not a wrong choice for a busy weeknight.
    • Festive dish. While this recipe could become one of your family's new favorite weekday dinners, it also looks pretty when served, thanks to all the colorful ingredients. Impress your family and friends by making the Italian sausage tortellini with sweet potatoes when it's time to entertain guests.  Made in 30 minutes, you can spend more time socializing instead of cooking in the kitchen.
    • Restaurant-worthy dinner. The combination of flavors is fantastic. You have a ton of veggies combined with Italian sausage and Italian cheese tortellini. This dish looks like something you would order at a high-end restaurant.
    • Perfect for the holidays. Impress your family and friends by making this Italian sausage tortellini for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Eve.

    Main ingredients

    • Sweet potatoes are highly nutritious root vegetables packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. I used orange sweet potatoes (rich in antioxidants) in this recipe. I like to peel the potatoes that I use in recipes.
    • Bell peppers. Use multi-colored bell peppers for presentation. I used 3 bell peppers in this recipe: red, yellow, and green.
    • Sausage. This recipe uses spicy Italian sausage, adding many savory flavors and spice to the sweet potatoes and bell peppers. You can also use mild or sweet Italian sausage. Chicken sausage will work, too.
    • Minced garlic adds fantastic flavor and aroma to any dish!
    • Green onions are also healthy and provide excellent color to any dish!
    • Tortellini adds balance and carbs to the sweet potato skillet.
    • Olive oil is used for cooking veggies.
    • Spices include smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt.

    How to cook sweet potatoes

    1. First, make sure you have peeled and cubed sweet potatoes.
    2. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and ground black pepper on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in one layer without overcrowding.
    3. Roast on the middle rack in the preheated oven at 400 F for about 15 or 20 minutes until the desired softness.

    How to make Italian Sausage Tortellini Dinner

    1. Roast sweet potatoes in the oven at 400 F on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet for about 15 or 20 minutes.
    2. Cook tortellini in a large pot of water.
    3. Cook Italian sausage and veggies (chopped bell peppers) with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and salt for about 10 minutes until the sausage is cooked through. Add chopped green onions.
    4. Combine all the ingredients you just cooked in the same large skillet. Season with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes.

    Sweet Potato Skillet with Tortellini, Sausage, and Bell Peppers.

    Variations, substitutions, and add-ins

    What I love the best about this recipe is that it's flexible and easily adjustable to whatever you have available in your fridge or to your preferences.

    • Sweet potatoes can be replaced with roasted cubed butternut squash or carrots. You can also use regular small potatoes.
    • Veggies. I used lots of bell peppers in this sweet potato skillet. You can add whatever vegetables you have in your fridge: broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, Brussels sprouts, etc.
    • Spices. I recommend smoked paprika, chili powder, Italian seasoning, and Cajun seasoning - you can use all or some of them. You can use your favorite spice mix.
    • Add cheese. While I don't use any cheese here, a grated Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago sprinkle would be an excellent addition.
    • Add cream. While this Italian sausage tortellini dinner tastes amazing just as it is, you can elevate it even further by adding a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half. For dairy-free creaminess, add unsweetened coconut cream.
    • Toppings. Add toasted nuts (pecans, walnuts, or pine nuts) or top with roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
    • Fresh herbs. Mix in fresh herbs, such as thyme, basil, oregano, or marjoram.
    • Can you make it gluten-free? Use store-bought gluten-free ravioli instead of tortellini. Or, use short pasta, such as farfalle (bow tie), fusilli, penne, or rigatoni.
    • Can you make it meatless? Yes, use plant-based sausage, such as the Beyond Sausage brand. Or, use mushrooms (Portobellos work exceptionally well!) and exclude regular sausage.

    Can you make this ahead?

    Yes, this is a meal-prep-friendly recipe! There is no cream, no cheese, and no complicated ingredients. Make the whole recipe in advance, refrigerate it, and serve within 5 days. Or freeze it for up to 2 months.

    Storage and Reheating Tips

    What I love about the best is that it stores and reheats well!

    • Fridge. Refrigerate the leftover Italian sausage tortellini in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
    • Freezer. You can freeze this in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
    • Reheat on the stovetop. Reheat it in a large skillet on the stovetop on medium heat for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Add a little bit of olive oil when reheating.
    • Reheat in the microwave oven. You can also microwave the refrigerated leftovers.

    Sweet Potato Skillet with Tortellini, Sausage, and Bell Peppers - close-up photo.

    What to serve with it

    • Bread. Serve a warm slice of crusty bread with this Italian sausage tortellini dinner. Italian bread, garlic, and olive bread loaf are all delicious choices. Or, add baguette or sourdough bread.
    • Simple salad. I would suggest a basic spinach or arugula salad, probably sprinkled with toasted nuts, a small amount of shredded Parmesan or crumbled goat cheese, and dressed with your favorite salad! Or, try these salads:
    • Strawberry Spinach Salad with Pecans
    • Arugula Salad with Pears, Apples, Cashews
    • Beet and Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts

    Other sweet potato recipes you might like

    • Maple Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
    • Baked Chicken Thighs and Sweet Potatoes with Spinach in creamy Parmesan Sauce
    • Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup with Mushrooms and Sweet Potatoes
    • Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup with Spinach and Sweet Potatoes

    Other Italian Sausage Pasta recipes you might like

    • 30-Minute Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach, Mushrooms, and Tomato Sauce
    • Creamy Butternut Squash Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach
    • 30-Minute Italian Sausage Spaghetti
    • One-Pot 30-Minute Italian Sausage Orzo Soup
    Sweet Potato Skillet with Tortellini, Sausage, and Bell Peppers.
    5 from 15 votes

    Italian Sausage and Tortellini Dinner with Sweet Potatoes and Bell Peppers

    Italian Sausage and Tortellini with Sweet Potatoes and Bell Peppers is an easy 30-minute weeknight dinner that a whole family will love! It has everything you want in a complete meal: protein (sausage), veggies (sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and green onions), and pasta (tortellini). This recipe is perfect for meal prep, making ahead, and freezing.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories per serving 613 kcal
    Author: Julia

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz cheese tortellini
    • 1 pound sweet potatoes peeled and chopped into 1-inch dice (about 2 medium sweet potatoes)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • salt and pepper
    • 10 ounces spicy Italian sausage
    • 5 cloves garlic minced
    • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 red bell pepper medium
    • 1 green bell pepper medium
    • 1 yellow bell pepper medium
    • 4 green onions chopped
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • red pepper flakes
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions 

    Roast sweet potatoes

    • Preheat oven to 400 F. Toss diced potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
    • Roast for about 15 or 20 minutes. In the meantime, proceed with the recipe.

    Cook tortellini

    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to package instructions (usually about 5 minutes). Drain. Proceed with the rest of the recipe while you cook the tortellini.

    Assemble sweet potato skillet

    • Heat a large cast iron skillet for 2 minutes over low-medium heat. Add crumbled sausage, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika, and sauté for about 5 or 10 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces, until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove cooked sausage to a plate, making sure that juices remain in the skillet.
    • To the same, now empty, skillet with juices, add chopped bell peppers and cook for about 10 minutes until softened.
    • Add back cooked sausage. Add roasted sweet potatoes, chopped green onions, and cooked and drained tortellini. Stir to reheat and combine. Season with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Information
    Italian Sausage and Tortellini Dinner with Sweet Potatoes and Bell Peppers
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    613
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    34
    g
    52
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    11
    g
    69
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    15
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    75
    mg
    25
    %
    Sodium
     
    832
    mg
    36
    %
    Potassium
     
    794
    mg
    23
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    55
    g
    18
    %
    Fiber
     
    7
    g
    29
    %
    Sugar
     
    9
    g
    10
    %
    Protein
     
    22
    g
    44
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    17375
    IU
    348
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    124
    mg
    150
    %
    Calcium
     
    155
    mg
    16
    %
    Iron
     
    4
    mg
    22
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutrition Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Keyword sweet potato skillet
    Tried this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment and provide a Star Rating below - I love your feedback and try to respond to every comment!
    « 30-Minute One-Pot Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Susan

      September 27, 2024 at 4:38 pm

      I make this recipe all the time but I make it into a soup by adding beef stock. I only add enough tortellini for the first meal. If there are leftovers, I make a few tortellini for the second meal so they are not mushy

      Reply
      • Julia

        September 27, 2024 at 6:29 pm

        So interesting that you turned this into a soup! Brilliant idea!

        Reply
    2. Nancy

      November 11, 2023 at 1:22 pm

      We made this last night and it was amazing, thank you! We weren't sure at which step we should have included the garlic. When we sautéed the sausage?

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 12, 2023 at 10:14 am

        Nancy, I can't believe I missed the garlic step! I would saute the garlic together with the crumbled sausage. I am glad you loved this recipe - thank you for the feedback! ❤️

        Reply
    3. Tracy

      February 06, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      Omg the flavors were amazing.
      Loved that it had no sauce and all the flavors could be tasted in every bite.
      It's a keeper!!

      Reply
      • Tracy

        February 06, 2023 at 7:19 pm

        Ohhhh and I can't wait to try more recipes

        Reply
        • Julia

          February 13, 2023 at 7:05 pm

          Thank you so much - I hope you enjoy them too! 🙂

          Reply
      • Julia

        February 13, 2023 at 7:05 pm

        Tracy, I am so glad you gave this recipe a try and enjoyed it! This is exactly what this recipe was meant to be - be flavorful enough without any sauce. Just plain, whole ingredients.

        Reply
    4. Michelle

      November 19, 2022 at 8:51 am

      I buy too many bell peppers and always end up throwing away this expensive ingredient because I don't really know when recipes to use it with. Found this recipe on Facebook, and this time my precious bell peppers did not end up in the garbage. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 19, 2022 at 3:19 pm

        Michelle, I am happy you found a good use for your bell peppers! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Diana

      November 18, 2022 at 6:32 pm

      I had all the ingredients on hand, and made this recipe on a whim! I love everything I tried from your site, Julia! The only thing I did differently here is I added 2 tablespoons of salted butter at the end for flavor!

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 19, 2022 at 3:26 pm

        Diane, thank you for trying the recipe and so glad you liked it! 🙂 Salted butter at the end is a nice touch!

        Reply

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    Julia is the author of JuliasAlbum.com (a food blog focused on easy dinner recipes, pasta dishes, salads made with seasonal ingredients). In this photo, Julia is pictured wearing a yellow sweater against an Autumn background.

    Hi, I'm Julia!

    I am a full-time food blogger living in beautiful Colorado. I focus primarily on savory recipes (protein-based & fiber-rich main dishes, pasta, salads) using fresh & seasonal ingredients. A food blogger since 2012, I help home cooks create well-balanced and visually appealing dinners (many of which are 30-minute ONE-PAN meals). Find out more about me and my cooking philosophy. 

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