Tortellini al Vodka

Kathy’s Tortellini Al Vodka
1 package tortellini
½ lb Italian sausage, crumbled and browned
2 tablespoons butter
½ small onion, finely chopped
1 cup sliced portabella mushrooms
1/3 cup vodka
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups tomato or pasta sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 small Roma tomato, chopped
½ cup frozen leaf spinach
Salt and pepper to taste.

Directions
Brown sausage in sautee pan over medium-high heat. Set aside until ready to use.
Lower heat in sautee pan to medium and melt butter. Add onions and mushrooms and cook until onions are translucent and mushrooms are softened. Salt and pepper mixture.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to package directions.
Add vodka to sautee pan and stir until it is reduced by half, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in tomato, tomato/pasta sauce, and spinach. Cook for 3-4 minutes until spinach is thawed. Add cream and stir. Add sausage. Simmer uncovered for approximately 10 minutes for flavors to marry.
Add drained tortellini to sauce mixture. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve.

Note: the sausage, onions, mushrooms, vodka and fresh tomato are all optional. To leave them out will make a lovely Tortellini al fredo rose'.