the soup with the shredded zucchini {life changing}

"it fills you up like steak and potatoes, but it's soup."

-sean gibson

......

even my kids love this. i double this recipe and freeze half of it in ziploc bags to pull out a few weeks down the road for a fast and easy meal. thaw in the morning and reheat in the micowave in bowls.  ta-da!

TORTELLINI SAUSAGE SOUP

ingredients

3 links Italian sausage {i just buy the ground sausage so i don't have to cut apart the casings of the links}

4 cloves pressed garlic

1 onion, diced

½ c. water

2 15-oz. cans chicken broth

½ c. apple cider 

{don’t leave this out! you can use apple juice instead if you don't have the cider}

1 16-oz. can diced tomatoes

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1 c. sliced carrots

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. dried oregano

3 medium zucchini, grated ***this is our FAVORITE part!!!***

{the grated zucchini makes it to hearty and rich, great way to use your food processor if you have one}

2 tablespoons dried parsley {yes, that’s two tablespoons}

8-10 oz. package cheese tortellini 

{i buy a 2 pack from costco and use one side of it for the double batch. 

I've heard Barilla makes a great dry cheese tortellini}

directions

STEP 1: 

Chop your onion and garlic, cook with sausage in pan with a drizzle of olive oil until your meat is cooked and your onion starts to look translucent. 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. I just buy the ground italian sausage. It looks like ground beef. 

STEP 2: 

In a large pot {the biggest you've got}, add canned stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, juice, water, chicken broth, carrots, oregano, and basil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. While this is simmering I shred my zuchinni. I use my cheese grater, but you can use a food processer. I just avoid using my food processor b/c I don't like to do all of the dishes it involves after:).

STEP 3: 

Add parsley and zucchini and simmer for another 15 minutes or so. Add the tortellini and cook until tender, and then serve with hot rolls {i use rhodes rolls}, and top with freshly-grated Parmesan.

BON APETITE.

:):):)