Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

INGREDIENTS

1 (3.5 ounce) link sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

1 cup chopped onions

2 cloves garlic, minced

5 cups beef stock

1/3 cup water

1/2 cup red wine

4 tomatoes - peeled, seeded and chopped

1 cup chopped carrots

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 cup tomato sauce

1 zucchini, chopped

8 ounces cheese tortellini

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

4 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese for topping

DIRECTIONS

Place the sausage in a large pot over medium high heat and saute for 10 minutes, or until well browned. Drain the fat except for about 1 tablespoon, add the onions and garlic and saute for 5 more minutes.

Next add the beef stock, water, wine, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any fat that may surface.

Add the zucchini, tortellini, green bell pepper and parsley to taste. Simmer

for 10 minutes, or until tortellini is fully cooked. Pour into individual bowls and garnish with the cheese.