Italian Sausage and Tortellini Zoupa!

Its cold here!!! Whats going on??? Makes for good soup days, and I do love soups! (ACTUALLY, IT WAS A GOOD EXCUSE TO GET OUT OF THE SHOP FOR AWHILE U KNOW? lol
This was delicious and hearty, give it a try!



1 lb Italian sausage (sweet)(costco)·
1 TBLSP Olive Oil
1 large onion, chopped·
4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced ·
1 cup sliced mushrooms
6 cups beef broth ·
2 cups diced Roma Tomatoes (may use canned)
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce ·
1 medium Zucchini, sliced ·
1 bag (1lb) baby spinach
1 large Carrot, thinly sliced ·
1/2 cup dry red wine · ( dont forget to drink remainder of bottle while cooking)
2 tablespoons basil ·
2 tablespoon oregano ·
1 1/2 cups (about) purchased fresh cheese tortellini ·
Parmesan cheese, freshly shaved or grated if preferred (I have a ribbon shaver, its a fun toy!)
salt and pepper to taste, altho check for salt first.


Directions Remove Casings (skin) from sausage. Sauté Italian sausage in heavy pot over medium-high heat until cooked through, breaking up, simmer about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to large bowl. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan. Add Olive oil, Add onion, mushrooms and garlic to pan and sauté until tender & aromatic, 5 minutes?Add wine and scrap down the goodies. Reduce for about 2 minutes. Return sausage to pot. Add beef broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, zucchini, carrot, spinach, basil and oregano. Simmer until vegetables are tender, 45 minutes. Add tortellini to soup and cook until tender ,10 minutes. Season soup with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese in individual bowls and garlic bread.
MANGIA!!!!