Brown Butter Tortellini with Sausage and Kale
This Brown Butter Tortellini with Sausage and Kale is a rich, comforting pasta dinner that's ready in just 30 minutes. Cheese-filled tortellini is tossed with savory Italian sausage, tender kale, and a nutty brown butter sauce before being finished with Parmesan cheese for a simple yet elegant meal.Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners, this one-pan recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini fresh or refrigerated
- 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed (mild or spicy)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups kale chopped with stems removed
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon fresh sage chopped (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2-3 tablespoons reserved pasta water
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice optional
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it into bite-sized pieces, until browned and cooked through. Transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the skillet.
- Add the butter to the same skillet. Melt it over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it foams and turns golden brown with toasted brown specks, about 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and chopped sage (if using). Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chopped kale and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has wilted.
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet.
- Add the cooked tortellini and gently toss everything together.
- Pour in the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce lightly coats the pasta.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, if desired.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for added brightness, if using.
- Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.