Italian Sausage And Tortellini Soup Recipe

Ingredients

3 lbs. Hot Italian Sausage, link or bulk (whichever you prefer)

1 ½ onions, coarsely chopped

1 ½ green peppers , or red peppers (coarsely chopped)

2 zucchini, chopped

2 cans Northern White Beans, drained

1 can tomatoes , chopped

2 tbsp. fresh garlic, chopped

5 cans low-sodium chicken broth

1 can tomato sauce

1 can crushed tomatoes, with Italian seasonings

oregano, chopped

basil, chopped

Italian parsley, chopped

red pepper flakes

salt and pepper , to taste

1 lg. fresh 4-cheese tortellini pasta

1 pkg. spinach leaves

Parmesan cheese, grated (to garnish)

Brown Italian sausage in large skillet until lightly browned.

Set aside and leave grease in pan.

Brown onions, peppers and zucchini in sausage grease (add a little olive oil if needed) until slightly soft.

Place all of these into a very large sauce pan.

Add chicken broth, tomato sauces, chopped tomatoes, garlic and a handful of each of the fresh herbs.

Add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

Wilt fresh spinach leaves in a small amount of olive oil in a sauce pan.

Add to soup along with tortellini pasta and beans.

Bring to slow boil and then reduce heat again to simmer 30 more minutes.

Garnish with Parmesan cheese.