One Pot Cheesy Italian Spinach and Sausage Tortellini and This Weeks Eats 9.7.14

Looking over last week's Saturday recipe for the one pot tortellini, I was compelled to give it an overhaul.  The idea of cheddar jack cheeses with tortellini just didn't jive, in my opinion.  Plus, I'm all for decadent meals and I LOVE cheese.  But, this recipe has a wee bit too much going on for my taste.  So I hope you enjoy my adaptation.  It's still WAY cheesy; I'm thinking I'll even eliminate tortellini next time and pick up some other fresh pasta from the refrigerated section, and/or eliminate the sausage and add more spinach.  Either way, this turned out REALLY good!

One Pot Cheesy Italian Spinach and Sausage Tortellini

2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 cup of diced onion
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 pound of turkey kielbasa (or 1/2 pound of hot Italian sausage)
28oz can diced tomatoes with juice
20oz package of refrigerated tortellini (or other fresh pasta)
2-3 cups chopped fresh spinach
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup of grated Parmesan
1/3 cup of grated provolone or mozzarella
heavy pinch of salt and pepper
crushed red pepper to taste
basil for garnish

Heat a large 12 inch straight sided pan or dutch oven to medium heat.  Saute onions with olive oil until soft.  Add garlic and cook for one minute. Add sliced turkey sausage and cook until browned.  (If you are using raw Italian sausage, cook through.) Add chicken broth, tortellini, tomatoes, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Turn heat down to low, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until pasta is cooked to al dente. Add chopped spinach and stir until wilted and incorporated.  Stir in cream and cheeses, then remove from heat. Cover and let stand for five to ten minutes. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired. 

This Weeks Eats

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - Half Hour Chicken Gumbo (We're trying another one pot recipe! This one is from Martha Stewart.)
• Wednesday - Autumn Chopped Salad (old Pinterest find from Espresso and Cream)
• Thursday - Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice and Veggies (from Just a Taste)
• Friday - Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema (old Cooking Light favorite)
• Saturday - Omaha Steaks Top Sirloins with Baked Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus
• Sunday - Crock Pot Tequila Lime Turkey Chili (can you tell now that football has started, it's time for chili on Sundays? Love this Pink Parsley recipe.)

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie, Mommy Run Fast and Jill Conyers - be sure to check out all the great weekly menus!