Tortellini Minestrone

Tortellini Minestrone

from the Kitchen of Kori

½ lb Italian sausage (could add more)
6 cups beef broth (I use about 9 cups b/c I like lots of broth)
1 cup chopped onions
½ cup dry red wine (don't skip the wine...at the very least buy a small bottle of cooking wine)
1 lb can undrained diced tomatoes
2 cups thinly sliced carrots
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1 cup ketchup
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cloves minced garlic
2 cups sliced zucchini
½ lb cheese filled tortellini – uncooked
1 med. Green pepper, diced
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese

In a 5 qt Dutch oven, brown sausage; drain and rinse. Add broth and next 8 ingredients. Bring to boil; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Skim any remaining fat. Stir in zucchini, tortellini (only if using the dried kind – add later if using the frozen or refrigerated variety), green pepper, and parsley. Simmer covered about 35 – 40 minutes until pasta is tender. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.

Serves: 8 – 10
Cook time: 1 hr 20 min.