mia cucina italiana

SAUSAGE & TORTELLINI SOUP
Serves 4

2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 lb Italian sausage links
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped carrot
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1/3 cup chopped zucchini
16 oz cheese tortellini
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
6 cups chicken broth
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp each dried basil & oregano
salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 cup heavy cream
shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in soup pan over medium-low heat. Brown sausage on all sides, cook about 12 minutes total. Remove to a cutting board, let rest.

2. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to soup pan. Add onions, bell peppers carrots and Italian seasoning and sweat over medium heat about 5 minutes until softened. Meanwhile, cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.

3. Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Turn heat to high to start boiling, then lower heat to simmer 10 minutes. Cut sausage into bite-size pieces, add to soup along with cream.

4.To serve, add portion of cooked tortellini to each soup bowl. Ladle in soup and top with shredded Parmesan.