I love a hearty soup with a delicious broth to enjoy during the winter months. A few years back while visiting a friend for dinner she served a Tuscan Tortellini Soup. Below is the recipe I prepare it for my family a couple times year. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cooked italian sausage links cut into ½ inch rounds

• 2 – 9 oz packages refrigerated cheese tortellini

• 1 can white beans, drained

• 2 cups baby spinach

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 6 cups chicken broth

• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 can diced tomatoes

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Parmesan cheese & fresh parsley, for garnish

Preparation Instructions:

Preheat the Slow Cooker

• Combine all ingredients except olive oil, tortellini, and garnish in a 6 quart slow cooker

• Cook on low for 4 hours, then add tortellini and cook for another hour

• Serve immediately, garnish with oil, cheese, and parsley. Enj

  Stovetop

• In a large pot, saute onion in olive oil until soft

• Add sausage and cook until golden brown

• Add garlic and cook for 1 minute

• Stir in tomatoes, broth, red pepper flakes, and salt & pepper

• Bring to a boil and add tortellini, simmer on medium low heat until flavors are well

• combined – about 20 minutes

• Stir in beans and spinach and cook about 2 minutes, until spinach has wilted

• Garnish with parmesan, serve immediately and enjoy!