We were at Trunk-or-Treat the other night and Rachael was saying to Lorri how excited she was to go home the have some of this soup. I think it is one of our favorite soups. So here it is.

Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini
1 lb. Italian Sausage
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic- minced
5 cups beef broth
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup red wine (I just use water instead)
4 large tomatoes- peeled, seeded and chopped (I use canned tomatoes)
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1/2 T. packed fresh basil
1/2 t. dried oregano
1- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini
8 oz. fresh tortellini (I use cheese tortellini)
3 T. chopped fresh parsley

1. Brown sausage in 5 quart dutch oven remove and drain. Reserve 1 T. drippings.
2. Saute onions and garlic in drippings. Stir in beef broth, water, wine, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato sauce and sausage. Bring to boil- simmer uncovered for 30 min.
3. Remove fat from soup. Stir in zucchini and parsley. Simmer covered for 30 min. Add tortellini during the last 10 min. Sprinkle with paremesan cheese.