Italian Sausage Soup With Tortellini

Ingredients

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 1 cup onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 5 cups beef broth
• 4 tomatoes (large, peeled, seeded, and chopped)
• 1 can tomato sauce (8-ounce)
• 1 cup carrots (thinly sliced)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1/2 tbsp packed fresh basil ( chopped)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 1/2 cups zucchini (sliced)
• 3 tbsp fresh parsley
• 8 ounces fresh tortellini

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 8 to 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pot.

3. 3

   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook over medium heat until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.

4. 4

   Stir in the beef broth, chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, sliced carrots, water, red wine, basil, oregano, and the cooked sausage. Bring the soup to a boil.

5. 5

   Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer uncovered for 30 minutes to develop flavor.

6. 6

   Skim off any excess fat from the surface. Stir in the zucchini and parsley. Cover and simmer for another 30 minutes.

7. 7

   Add the tortellini during the final 10 minutes of cooking and simmer until tender.

8. 8

   Ladle into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.