Sausage Tortellini Soup

1 lb Italian sausage, browned and drained

1 c. coarsely chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

6 c. beef broth

1/2 c. water

1 lg. can crushed tomatoes

1 med green pepper chopped

1 c. thinly sliced carrots or baby carrots sliced lengthwise

1/2 t. basil

1/2 t. oregano

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 1/2 c. sliced zucchini

1 (10 oz) pkg. cheese tortellini

-Brown sausage and drain.

- Sauté onions and garlic in sausage pan.

- Add all ingredients except zucchini and tortellini.

- Simmer until carrots have cooked some.

- Add zucchini and continue to simmer just until barely tender.

- In a separate pot, prepare tortellini as directed on package, but undercook a little. Drain and add to soup.

- Thin soup with more beef broth if you would like.

Makes 6-8 quarts: ten to twelve big servings. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. This tastes even better the next day!

My sister-in-law Alyssa made this soup for us this week. AMAZING!