Italian Sausage & Tortellini Soup

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Italian Sausage & Tortellini Soup

An Excellent Winter Soup!!!

1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
1 med onion, chopped (about 2 c)
2 large cloves garlic, minced
2 t dried basil
2 t dried oregano
4 c beef broth
1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
2 small zucchini, sliced (about 2 c)
1 large carrot, sliced (about 1 c)
1 medium red bell pepper, diced (about 1/2 c)
1/2 c dry red wine
8 to 10 oz. frozen cheese tortellini
salt and freshly ground black pepper
freshly grated parmesan cheese

In a heavy pot, brown sausage over medium-high heat until cooked
through, about 10 minutes, crumbling meat with back of a spoon.
Transfer cooked sausage to a bowl and set aside. Drain off all but 1
tablespoon of drippings.

Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes. Add garlic, basil and oregano and
sauté another 2 minutes. Add beef stock, scraping up any bits on
bottom of pan. Bring mixture to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Add
tomatoes, tomato sauce, zucchini, carrot, pepper and wine. Simmer
until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

Return sausage to pan. Add tortellini and cook until tender (see
package instructions).

Season with salt and pepper. Garnish each serving with parmesan
cheese. Yields 6 to 8 servings