Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini

Perfect for our Poker night!  Fed 7 people and there was still some leftovers...

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients:

• 1lb Italian sausage (ground works the best so you don't have to bother with the casings)
• 1C chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 5C beef broth
• 1/2C Water
• 1/2C red wine
• 4 large tomatoes - chopped
• 1C sliced carrots
• 1/2 Tbs basil leaves
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 8oz can of tomato sauce
• 1 sliced zucchini
• 8oz tortellini pasta
• 3 Tbs chopped parsley

1. In a 5 quart Dutch oven, brown sausage.  drain but reserve the drippings.
2. Saute onions and garlic in drippings.  Stir in beef broth, water, wine, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato sauce and sausage.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
3. Stir in zucchini and parsley.  Simmer covered for 30 minutes.  Add tortellini during the last 10 minutes.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese on top of each serving.