Hearty Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini 🍲🇮🇹

This comforting soup is a warm embrace in a bowl, combining rich flavors and satisfying textures. Perfect for chilly nights or when you need a cozy meal, this dish is loaded with wholesome ingredients, including savory sausage and tender tortellini. Serve it with crusty bread for a complete meal that is sure to please everyone around the table! 🍞❤️

Ingredients

For the soup

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 4 large tomatoes (peeled, seeded, and chopped)
• 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 1/2 tablespoon packed fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini
• 8 ounces fresh tortellini pasta
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

1. In a 5-quart Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat until fully cooked. Remove the sausage and drain on paper towels, reserving approximately 1 tablespoon of the drippings.

🥄 Browning the sausage adds depth to the flavor of the soup, so don’t skip this step!

2. In the same pot, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic in the reserved drippings until they are fragrant and translucent.

3. Stir in the beef broth, water, red wine, chopped tomatoes, sliced carrots, fresh basil, dried oregano, tomato sauce, and the cooked sausage.

4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

🧊 Skimming the fat off the surface during cooking will help lighten the soup while maintaining its rich flavor.

5. After simmering, skim any excess fat from the surface. Add in the sliced zucchini and chopped parsley, simmer covered for another 30 minutes.

6. Finally, add the tortellini during the last 10 minutes of cooking, ensuring they are heated through.

7. Serve hot, sprinkling each bowl with grated Parmesan cheese for added richness.

Tips & Variations

• Make it Vegetarian: Substitute the sausage with plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth for a meat-free option.
• Spicy Twist: Add crushed red pepper flakes or spicy sausage for a bit of heat!
• Extra Veggies: Feel free to throw in any seasonal vegetables, such as spinach or bell peppers, for added color and nutrition.
• Storing Tips: This soup freezes well! Just remember to add tortellini fresh when reheating, as they can become mushy if cooked twice.

Enjoy your delightful journey into flavor with this heartwarming Italian staple! 🌿🍽️