Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
Jen(cammiemom)
Serves 4

1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
5 cups beef broth
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 cups or 4 medium chopped, seeded, peeled tomatoes (equivalent to 1 large can whole tomatoes)
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 ½ cups sliced zucchini
8 ounces or 2 cups cheese tortellini
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 medium green pepper, cut into ½ inch pieces
grated parmesan cheese

In a large soup pot, brown sausage, remove from pan and set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of drippings and sauté onion and garlic until tender.  Add beef broth, water, and all other ingredients EXCEPT tortellini, zucchini, parsley, green pepper, and parmesan cheese. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.  Skim off fat and add other ingredients. Simmer uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until tortellini are tender.  Serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese.