Tomato Soup w/ Sausage, Spinach & Pasta

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • 12 oz tomato paste
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • pinch of black pepper
  • 3½ cups beef broth
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 1 lb sweet or hot sausage links, casings removed
  • 2 cups cooked cheese tortellini (undercooked by about 3 minutes)
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

How-to

Cook Sausage

  1. Brown sausage in a medium sauté pan over medium heat, about 10 minutes
  2. Drain the fat from the pan and set sausage aside while assembling the soup

Assemble Soup

  1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot on medium-high heat
  2. Add garlic cloves, bay leaves, Italian seasoning and diced onions and sauté 7 minutes, or until onions are soft and translucent
  3. Add spinach and cover, cooking until spinach has wilted, stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes
  4. Add tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Stir together
  5. Season with black pepper, add broth and wine and bring to a simmer (low boil)
  6. Add sausage to the pot and stir to incorporate ingredients
  7. Stir in the slightly undercooked tortellini, add Parmesan cheese and cook for a few minutes more on low heat
  8. Shut off heat, remove bay leaves, and allow the soup to rest a few minutes before serving
  9. Great served with good-quality, crusty bread