why make this recipe
Sheet Pan Broccoli Tortellini Bake is a fast, no-fuss dinner that combines roasted broccoli, savory chicken sausage, and frozen cheese tortellini for an all-in-one meal. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, feeds a family easily, and minimizes cleanup because everything finishes on one baking sheet.
introduction
This sheet-pan bake brings bright roasted broccoli and melty cheese tortellini together with slices of chicken sausage for a comforting, textured dish. The recipe uses frozen tortellini to shave time, and a brief two-temperature roast gives broccoli a flash of color before finishing everything until golden and bubbly. It’s flexible, forgiving, and easy to scale.
how to make Sheet Pan Broccoli Tortellini Bake
The method is simple: roast the broccoli briefly to preserve color and crunch, then combine it with sausage and frozen tortellini, top with parmesan, and bake until the cheese melts and edges brown. Two oven temperatures are used to get the best texture from the broccoli first, then to finish and brown the assembled sheet pan.
Ingredients :
1 1/2 lbs fresh broccoli, cut into florets, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 11 oz chicken sausage, sliced, 16 oz frozen cheese tortellini, 8 oz grated parmesan cheese, 6 tablespoons olive oil, Salt and pepper to taste, Optional: red chili flakes
Directions :
Preheat the oven to 400ºF., Toss broccoli with minced garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper on a sheet pan., Roast broccoli for 10 minutes until bright green but crisp., Increase oven temperature to 450ºF., In a bowl, combine roasted broccoli with sliced chicken sausage, frozen tortellini, remaining olive oil, and half of the parmesan cheese., Prepare the sheet pan by coating it with olive oil and pour the mixture evenly onto it., Bake for 12-15 minutes until melted and golden brown., Sprinkle remaining parmesan on top before serving.
how to serve Sheet Pan Broccoli Tortellini Bake
Serve straight from the sheet pan while hot. Garnish with extra parmesan, a squeeze of lemon for brightness, and a sprinkle of red chili flakes if you like heat. Pair with a crisp green salad or crusty bread to soak up any cheesy juices.
how to store Sheet Pan Broccoli Tortellini Bake
Cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes until warmed through (this helps preserve texture), or microwave in short bursts if you’re in a hurry.
tips to make Sheet Pan Broccoli Tortellini Bake
- Cut broccoli into even florets so they roast uniformly.
- Don’t over-roast the broccoli in the first step — you want it bright and slightly crisp since it will cook more later.
- Use good-quality frozen cheese tortellini for best texture and flavor. No need to thaw; add directly from frozen.
- Line the sheet pan with parchment or aluminum for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- If you prefer a saucier bake, toss the mixture with a few tablespoons of marinara or a splash of cream before baking.
variation (if any)
- Swap chicken sausage for Italian sausage, kielbasa, or a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian option.
- Replace parmesan with shredded mozzarella or a mix of cheeses for a different melt profile.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes or bell peppers for more color and sweetness.
- Finish with a drizzle of pesto for herb-forward flavor.
FAQ
Q: Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
A: Fresh broccoli gives the best texture and color for this method; frozen broccoli tends to release more water and can become mushy. If using frozen, thaw and pat very dry, then reduce initial roast time.
Q: Do I need to pre-cook the sausage?
A: If your sausage is pre-cooked (most store-bought chicken sausage is), slicing and adding it cold is fine. If it’s raw, brown it first in a skillet until fully cooked, then combine with the other ingredients before baking.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes—use a dairy-free cheese alternative or omit the parmesan and finish with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Q: What oven pan works best?
A: A rimmed sheet pan or half-sheet pan is ideal to hold everything and allow edges to brown.
Conclusion
For the original inspiration and full notes on this sheet-pan combination, see Sheet Pan Tortellini and Sausage With Broccoli – Barefoot In The ….
Sheet Pan Broccoli Tortellini Bake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Toss broccoli with minced garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper on a sheet pan.
- Roast broccoli for 10 minutes until bright green but crisp.
- Increase oven temperature to 450ºF.
- In a bowl, combine roasted broccoli with sliced chicken sausage, frozen tortellini, remaining olive oil, and half of the parmesan cheese.
- Prepare the sheet pan by coating it with olive oil and pour the mixture evenly onto it.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until melted and golden brown.
- Sprinkle remaining parmesan on top before serving.
