Sausage, Tomato and Tortellini Soup

Makes 8-9 cups

Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 16 to 18 min.

Ingredients:

•       1 package Regular Flavor Pork Sausage
•       1 teaspoon ground fennel
•       3 cups water or stock
•       1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
•       1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes with Italian herbs and garlic
• 9 or 10 ounces purchased fresh cheese tortellini
• 1-1/2 cups thinly sliced, quartered yellow squash
•           salt and pepper to taste
•       3 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil, or 1 tablespoon dried basil (optional)
•          grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
•    1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)

Soup Recipe Directions:

1) Spoon 1" chunks of sausage into a 4 to 6 quart non-stick pot.

2) Cook sausage and ground fennel over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until meat is lightly browned and no longer pink.

3) Stir in stock, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.

4) Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

5 ) Raise heat to high, stir in tortellini and squash.

6) When liquid returns to a boil, stir once, add basil if desired; reduce heat to medium-low.

7) Cover and cook until pasta is just tender, for about 6 to 8 minutes.

8) Season to taste; garnish with Parmesan and parsley.