Ingredients:
3 links Italian sausage (12 oz., or 3/4 lb.)
4 cloves pressed or minced garlic
1 onion, diced
½ cup water
2 15-oz. cans chicken broth
½ cup apple cider (DO NOT LEAVE THIS OUT!)
1 16-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 cup sliced carrots
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 medium zucchini, grated (great way to use your food processor if you have one)
2 tablespoons dried parsley
8-10 oz. package cheese tortellini (thawed if using frozen)
Directions:
If you’re using link sausage, remove the casings and crumble into a large soup pot. To remove the casings, you can use a sharp knife to cut a slit down one side of the sausage and then peel back the casing.
Chop onion and add to pot with garlic and a drizzle of olive oil. Continue cooking until onions are translucent and your sausage is cooked. Your house will smell heavenly.
Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, juice, water, chicken broth, carrots, oregano, and basil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add parsley and zucchini and simmer for another 15 minutes or so. Add the tortellini and cook until tender, and then serve with bread and freshly-grated Parmesan.
*www.ourbestbites.com