Recipe: Tortellini Soup

I took a double-batch of this soup to the Basketball Game last night, and we served it in the "LAKEWOOD BISTRO" snack bar. So many people asked for the recipe (including our principal, Mr. Robertstad!) so I promised to put it on the school website. I will paste it here as well, since it's already in blog format. This soup is wonderful-- I got the recipe from my Mom's friend Del in California. It is fabulous on a cold, wintry night and really fills you up.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP WITH TORTELLINI

1 lb. Jimmy Dean Italian sausage
1 link of Lean Cuisine sausage, cut into 1/2” pieces
1 cup coarsely chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, smashed
5 cups beef broth (I use “Better than Beef” concentrate, dilute to 5c.)
½ cup water
½ c. dry red wine (I use a cheap Cab. Sauvignon)
1 medium green pepper, cut into ½ inch pieces
1 bag of shredded carrots, or 1 cup of diced carrots
2 cups chopped zucchini
Huge can of Hunts Diced tomatoes
Huge can of Tomato Sauce
½ tsp. basil leaves
½ tsp. oregano
3 T. chopped parsley
Medium size bag of Frozen Tortellini (my bag says 42 oz.)

Directions: Brown both sausages in a big soup pot. Add onions and garlic, and sauté until onions are tender. Add diluted beef broth, water, wine, carrots, spices, tomatoes, zucchini, and tomato sauce. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

Then stir in: Frozen tortellini, parsley, and green pepper chunks. Simmer another 35-40 mins. – or until Tortellini is tender. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese if desired, before serving. Yum-O!