Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini

By á-6055

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian Sausage
• 1 cup onion -- coarsely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic -- sliced
• 5 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 2 cups chopped, seeded, peeled tomatoes
• 1 cup carrot OR (canned) -- thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups zucchini -- sliced
• 8 ounces cheese-filled tortellini (2 cups) OR -- very small ravioli
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley (or 2 Tbs. dried) -- chopped
• 1 green bell pepper -- cut into 1/2" pieces
• parmesan cheese -- grated

Preparation

Step 1

Brown sausage in Dutch oven and drain, but save some drippings to saute the onion and garlic.

Add beef broth, water, wine, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato sauce and sausage to the sauteed onion and garlic.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
Skim fat..
Stir in zucchini, tortellini, parsley and green pepper. Simmer covered another 35-40 minutes, or until tortellini are tender.

Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top of each serving.

Serve with a crusty bread