Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini

I'm in full fall mode. Soups, chili, stew...it's all good. Here's a new recipe that I tried this week. I wasn't so sure how it would go over but all of my family loved it. My husband, who usually doesn't care for tortellini, was the biggest fan. He referred to it as lasagna in soup form. It is pretty tasty I have to say, so give it a try. I'm thinking it'll be great coming home to this soup in the crockpot after a crisp, fall day at the soccer fields!

1 pound Italian sausage
1 cup chopped onion
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
5 cups beef broth
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup red wine
3 large tomatoes--peeled, seeded and chopped OR 3 cans of diced tomatoes
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1/2 Tablespoon packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini
8 ounces fresh or frozen tortellini
Freshly grated parmesan cheese

Brown sausage in dutch oven. Remove and drain, reserving a teaspoon or two of drippings. Saute onions and garlic in drippings. Stir in beef broth, water, wine, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato sauce and sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce hit and allow to simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes.

Stir in zucchini. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Add tortellini during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Serve with parmesan cheese for topping.

**I will admit to have really hungry troops the day I made this, so it didn't simmer near as long as the directions recommend. It was still really good, but it tasted even better the 2nd day.