July 5, 2024 30 Minutes or less Meals

Trader Joe’s Tortellini with Chicken Sausage & Asparagus

At our household, Trader Joe’s tortellini is a quick dish to make! With numerous tortellini flavors available, we opted for the spinach type for this particular recipe. Additionally, the 4 cheese tortellini from Trader Joe’s is also worth a try. Our recipe features chicken sausage, two types of tomatoes, and asparagus. Thanks to the speedy cooking time of Trader Joe’s tortellini, this dish can be whipped up in no time!

Jump to Recipe

2 bowls of Trader Joes tortellini with asparagus and tomatoes

Three Reasons Why You’ll Love This Pasta

Bursting with Flavor: This pasta dish combines the savory taste of browned chicken sausage with the fresh flavors of cherry tomatoes and asparagus, all brought together by a rich, buttery sauce with a hint of garlic and shallots. Each bite is a delightful explosion of taste.
Nutritious and Balanced: Packed with protein from the chicken sausage and nutrients from the asparagus and tomatoes, this dish offers a balanced meal that’s both satisfying and good for you. The addition of whole, fresh ingredients ensures a wholesome dining experience.
Quick and Easy: Despite its gourmet taste, this pasta is quick and easy to prepare. With simple steps and a short cooking time, it’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or an impressive yet hassle-free meal for guests. Plus, it requires minimal cleanup since everything is cooked in one pan!

Essential Ingredients for Trader Joe’s Tortellini Pasta:

Shallot: Adding a subtle, sweet onion flavor that forms the aromatic base of the sauce, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

Garlic: Providing a robust, aromatic depth to the sauce, making the flavors more complex and inviting.

Olive Oil: Sautéing the shallots and garlic, adding a smooth richness and helping to meld all the flavors together.

Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Sausage: Adding a savory, spicy kick that complements the tortellini and vegetables, providing protein and a hearty element to the dish.

White Wine: Deglazing the pan to lift the flavorful bits left from the sausage and adding a subtle acidity that balances the richness of the sauce.

Roasted Tomatoes: Bringing a deep, concentrated tomato flavor that enhances the sauce’s complexity and sweetness.

Butter: Adding a creamy, velvety texture to the sauce, making it more luxurious and delicious.

Asparagus: Providing a fresh, crisp texture and slightly earthy flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients, adding nutritional value.

Red Pepper Flakes: Adding a hint of heat that elevates the dish and complements the spicy sausage.

Black Pepper: Enhancing the overall flavor profile of the sauce with a mild, earthy spice.

Trader Joe’s Tortellini: Being the star of the dish, these tortellini are quick to cook and provide a delicious, cheesy filling that pairs perfectly with the sauce.

Cherry Tomatoes: Adding bursts of freshness and juiciness, balancing the richness of the sausage and the sauce.

Pecorino Romano: Finishing the dish with a sharp, salty flavor that complements the other ingredients and adds a delightful, cheesy topping.

Trader Joes Chicken Sausage and tortellini with asparagus and tomatoes

Instructions

Prep the Ingredients:

Boil the Water: Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta.
Chop and Slice: Peel and finely dice the shallot. Shred the garlic. Cube the butter by slicing it in half and then into small cubes. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the roasted tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Cut the asparagus on the bias (diagonally) into 1-inch pieces, discarding the tough ends. Slice the chicken sausage.

Brown the Sausage:

Cook the Sausage: In a hot pan, add the sliced chicken sausage. Stir to distribute evenly in the pan and fry for a few minutes on one side. Toss or stir to brown the other side. The chicken sausage is already cooked, so you just need to brown the pieces on each side. Remove the chicken sausage from the pan, place it in a dish, and cover with foil.

Prepare the Pasta Sauce:

Sauté the Shallots and Garlic: In the same pan you browned the chicken sausage in, add a bit of olive oil and the shallots. Stir and cook until the shallots sweat a little but do not brown. Add the garlic and stir, watching to ensure it does not burn.
Add Wine and Spices: Pour in the white wine and add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to reduce for about 5 minutes.
Incorporate the Tomatoes: Add the oven-roasted tomatoes and black pepper, stirring to combine.

Finish the Pasta:

Cook the Pasta: Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. About 1 minute before the pasta is done, add the asparagus to the sauce along with half the butter. Toss the sauce to slightly cook the asparagus.
Combine and Serve: Add the chicken sausage and cherry tomatoes to the sauce. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce along with the remaining butter. Toss or stir to melt the butter into the sauce.
Plate and Enjoy: Serve the pasta in dishes and top with shredded Pecorino Romano. Enjoy!

What size asparagus is the most tender?

For years I used to beg Bruce to select the smaller asparagus when we shopped at the grocery store. I felt that smaller meant that it would be more tender. Bruce never agreed with me. Well, turns out that Bruce is right. (He is most of the time) To harvest asparagus, it takes 3 years to grow. A young asparagus plant is putting more of its energy into producing spears that will stand upright, so most of the plant material in the spears of younger asparagus plants is actually crude fiber.

Read more about asparagus from Peter Ferretti, professor of vegetable crops at Penn State, here: The Skinny On Asparagus Is That Thicker Means More Tender

Storing and Reheating This Pasta Dish

Storing Leftovers:

Cool Completely: Allow the pasta to cool completely before storing to prevent condensation and sogginess.
Airtight Container: Transfer the pasta to an airtight container. This helps maintain the freshness and prevents the pasta from drying out.
Refrigerate: Store the container in the refrigerator. This pasta dish will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating Leftovers:

In the Oven:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Transfer to Oven-Safe Dish: Place the pasta in an oven-safe dish. If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of water or chicken broth.
- Cover with Foil: Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Bake: Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through.
In the Microwave:
- Portion the Pasta: Place a portion of the pasta in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add Moisture: Add a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent the pasta from drying out.
- Cover: Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
- Reheat: Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the pasta is heated through.
On the Stovetop:
- Use a Pan: Place the pasta in a skillet or pan.
- Add Moisture: Add a splash of water or chicken broth.
- Heat Gently: Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is warmed through.

By following these steps, you can enjoy your delicious pasta dish even as leftovers, maintaining its flavors and textures.