Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casing

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 red bell peppers, diced

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 

8 cups chicken broth

2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes

2 cups fresh cheese tortellini 

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Salt & pepper to taste

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and scramble fry until nicely browned approximately 7 minutes. Remove sausage from pan and place on a paper towel lined plate. 

In a large pot heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add onion & cook until tender approximately 3 - 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook an additional 3 minutes. Stir in the peppers, bay leaf and red pepper flakes and cook until peppers are soft approximately 3 minutes. 

Add the broth and tomatoes, lower the heat to medium low and simmer 30 minutes. Add tortellini and cook until tender approximately 5 - 7 minutes. Add sausage and heat through. 

For some variation, add corn and/or spinach. Use a different type of pasta instead of tortellini to make a lighter version. Add cream cheese to make a rich creamy broth. 

Remove bay leaf and serve.