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Meat Lovers Pizza Tortellini

Meat lovers pizza tortellini is a quick skillet pasta dinner with cheese tortellini simmered in rich marinara and loaded with pepperoni, Italian sausage, and mushrooms. It finishes under the broiler with mozzarella melted and bubbly like a pizza.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 930
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

cheese tortellini
  • 20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini Use refrigerated tortellini for the quickest cook time.
italian sausage
  • 0.5 lb Italian sausage, casings removed Drain excess fat after browning to keep the sauce from getting greasy.
pepperoni and mushrooms
  • 1 cup pepperoni slices Add after sausage browns so it warms through without burning.
  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced Cook until softened for a pizza-like topping texture.
aromatics and sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced Minced garlic cooks quickly—add at the end of the sausage/mushroom sauté.
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce Simmer briefly to meld flavors with the sausage and pepperoni.
  • 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning Provides classic pizza seasoning.
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes Adjust heat to taste.
cheese topping
  • 1.5 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded Broil until melted and bubbly; keep an eye to prevent over-browning.
  • 1 Fresh basil for garnish Add at the end for fresh aroma and color.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Cook tortellini
  1. Cook the refrigerated cheese tortellini according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
  2. Keep tortellini warm while you cook the meat sauce so it coats evenly.
Brown meat and build sauce
  1. Brown the Italian sausage in a large oven-safe cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart until no longer pink, then drain excess fat.
  2. Add the pepperoni and mushrooms and cook for 3–4 minutes until mushrooms soften.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring, just until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the marinara sauce, add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, stir, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Combine and broil
  1. Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce until evenly combined.
  2. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and broil for 3–4 minutes at broil heat until melted and bubbly, then garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

Pro tip: drain fat after browning the sausage to keep the sauce rich but not oily. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet or microwave until hot. Freezing is not recommended for the best texture of tortellini and mozzarella. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat mozzarella and lean turkey Italian sausage if you want less fat while keeping the same pizza-style vibe.