Monday, September 29, 2014

Spicy Italian Tortellini Soup


I don't think this soup could be easier or more perfect for fall.  This is #2 on my Fall Soup Bucket List!  I mean, look at it!  And that bread stick.  I can't get over it.

One of my best college Gal Pals made this for me for my birthday one year and I've made this soup every winter since then.  Of course, you're more than welcome to make it in the spring or summer but nothing says fall like good soup, right?  And pumpkin.  And apples.

Spicy Italian Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:

1 pound of spicy Italian turkey sausage
1 cup diced onion
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
64 ounces of beef stock
4-5 small-medium carrots, diced
1 large zucchini, diced
1 16 ounce can of diced tomatoes
1 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
1 10 ounce bag of cheese tortellini
2 tablespoons of Italian seasonings

Directions:

1.  In a dutch oven, saute onions and garlic for 1-2 minutes and then add spice Italian sausage.  Take the sausage out of the casing before adding to the pot.  Break the sausage up into small chunks and cook for 4-5 minutes.  The sausage doesn't have to be completely cooked before adding the rest of the ingredients because it will continue to cook.
2.  Drain most of the fat off by tipping the pot to one side and using a spoon to scoop out the fat.
3.  Add beef stock, tomatoes and spices.  Bring to a low boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
4.  Add diced carrots and continue simmering for another 5-10 minutes.
5.  Add zucchini and tortellini and simmer until pasta is cooked.  Because it's fresh pasta, it won't take long to cook at all.

Top with Parmesan cheese and serve with focaccia bread sticks.

You will probably be like me and think that 10 ounces of tortellini isn't enough and buy the 20 ounce package and add the whole thing.  Well, 10 ounces is enough my friend.  Take it from me.  When I dug into the leftovers, there wasn't very much broth left because the pasta soaked it all up! haha, but I just added more broth and it was still just equally delicious.

It actually isn't super spicy but could be even more so if you add red pepper flakes or you can tame it down all the way by using sweet Italian turkey sausage instead.



Look how chunky.  Raise your hand it you like chunky, heart soup!


Me! I do!