Sausage and Tortellini Group Soup

1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage (out of the casings)
1 cup chopped onions
2 garlic gloves, minced or pressed
1 can diced tomatoes with juices
1/2 diced red pepper
1 stick celery, diced
1 large carrot, sliced
5-7 cups beef broth (I use Swanson's 50% less sodium beef broth)
1 TBS dried basil
1 TBS dried oregano
8-10 ounces fresh cheese tortellini
1 bag baby spinach

Saute sausage in large soup pot over medium high heat until cooked through, crumbling with the back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to a bowl reserving drippings. Add enough olive oil, if needed, to make 1 TBS in bottom of pot. Saute onions and garlic until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add vegetables, sausage, tomatoes, beef stock and herbs to pot and simmer for 40 minutes or until veggies are soft. Salt to taste.

10 minutes before serving add tortellini to simmering soup. 2 minutes before serving stir in the spinach. Serve with Parmesan cheese (optional). If soup becomes too thick add more broth or water.

6 servings



Enjoy.