For our very first date, Nate and I went to the Davis Square Bertucci’s in Somerville, MA. Once we were married, if we ever went out to a restaurant (which was rare), it was usual to Bertucci’s or John Harvard’s. I think one of the reasons I love Bertucci’s so much is because of our personal history associated with it, but I still love going to that restaurant whenever we can because they do make some good food. Those dinner rolls and that margherita pizza…YUMMMMM.
One of those times early in our marriage when we went to Bertucci’s I ordered a tortellini dish that was served with sausage, mushrooms in a light cream tomato sauce. This was one of the very first restaurant copycat recipes I created at home and definitely one of the first things I cooked that gave me some confidence in the kitchen.
It’s been years since I’ve made what we call Bertucci’s Tortellini, but I threw it on the menu a few weeks ago and IT WAS SO GOOD. I made sure to write down measurements for you since the recipe I had posted on the site was pretty lame and directionless.
This is a nice and easy dinner to prepare that tastes wonderful. (I think I had thirds the other night.) The only thing missing from this recipe is Bertucci’s dinner rolls!
- 3 uncooked sweet Italian sausages, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 8-ounce package white mushrooms or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- olive oil
- 2 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes + ½ cup of the juice in the can
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ¼ cup cream
- 2 9-ounce packages fresh cheese tortellini
- fresh shredded parmesan cheese
- couple tablespoons fresh basil or ½ teaspoon dried basil (fresh is better)
- Heat a few swigs of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and mushrooms and cook until both ingredients are cooked through.
- Add garlic to the pan and stir to distribute.
- Using your hands, break up the whole tomatoes into bite-sized pieces straight into the skillet, sort of mushing it all up. Add the ½ cup reserved juice, salt, pepper, sugar, basil (if using dried) and stir well. Let simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Cook tortellini according to package directions and drain.
- Add cream and basil (if using fresh) to tomato sauce-mushroom-sausage mixture. Stir to combine completely.
- Pour sauce over tortellini, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and eat!
Hi! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and count on you to share yours! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
Did one of you go to Tufts? I loved Davis Square!
Nate went to Tufts! 🙂 We have many fond memories of Davis Square, especially from when we were first married. Great little spot!
totally trying this next week!
how delicious does this look? yum! can’t wait to make this for dinner soon!
What size of can of whole tomatoes?
I forgot to put that in there – thank you, just added it to the recipe! 28 ounces
thats such a nice story. when i was younger i worked in a basic family owned restaurant. it was ok, nothing fancy. i would get old people in all the time who would say it was their anniversary and they were coming to the restaurant cuz that’s where they had their first date or wedding dinner and i would think…
1. you are probably going to run me ragged and give me 50 cents for a tip (hahaha but usually true!)
2. its your X anniversary and you are taking this women out for a $12 chicken dinner ? A bit sad why not celebrate big if you can….
Well now years later and a bit wiser i finally get it. Its so nice to revisit those places that bring back memories! Whether they are fancy or not somehow its just fun. My BF and i do that from time to time and i think if you love food you often associate it with memories and such. I just make sure now i give a 20% tip 🙂
haha! it is funny how our perspective changes.
and yes to 20% tips! 🙂
Love, love, love Bertucci’s. It’s also a family favorite (we’re indoctrinating our three year old). We used to live in Davis, but moved seven years ago. Now our go-to location is Hingham.
This recipe looks yummy- now if I could just convince the three year old to try meat…
the hingham location is the one I get to go to whenever we visit family. I miss living near bertucci’s – jealous! 🙂
also…this recipe would be easy for you to pick the meat out of, so you guys still get to enjoy it and 3yo is happy, too! 😉