Shelly's Recipe

TORTELLINI AND SAUSAGE STEW

Category: Stews

1 lb sweet or hot Italian sausage (turkey sausage may be used)
1 cup chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
10 cups beef broth or stock
1/2 cup water
1 cup dry red wine
2 (28 oz) cans peeled tomatoes, chopped
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
2 small zucchini, sliced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cups dry tortellini pasta
3 tbsp dried parsley

Remove the casings from the sausage and cut into bite-size pieces. Brown the sausage in a large saucepan or nonreactive Dutch oven. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tbsp of the fat.

Add the onion and garlic to the saucepan and saute over medium-low heat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Return the sausage to the pot along with the broth, water, wine, tomatoes, tomato sauce, carrots, oregano, and basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Skim off any fat that rises to the top of the pot. Stir in the zucchini, green pepper, tortellini, and parsley. Simmer, covered, for 45 minutes or until the pasta and vegetables are tender. Serves 4-6