Winnipeg's Spicy Pasta & Sauce

Ingredients

• 796 ml whole tomatoes with juice (1 can)
• 284 ml mushrooms, drained (1 can)
• 1/2 kg hot Italian sausage, partially frozen casing removed
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons italian seasoning
• 156 ml tomato paste (1 can)
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese
• 350 g tortellini (Olivieri with Three Cheeses)

Directions

1. 1

   In Dutch oven, combine tomatoes and mushrooms and set aside.

2. 2

   Cut frozen sausage into bite size pieces and add to lightly oiled fry pan.

3. 3

   Cook until thawed and lightly browned.

4. 4

   Combine with ingredients in Dutch oven.

5. 5

   Saute green and red pepper, onion, garlic and Italian Seasoning in oil until slightly tender and add to ingredients in Dutch oven.

6. 6

   Simmer gently for at least one hour, stirring occasionally.

7. 7

   Just before serving, add tomato paste to sauce to thicken.

8. 8

   Meanwhile, cook tortellini as instructed on package (takes approximately 10 minutes).

9. 9

   Add cheeses to meat sauce, stirring constantly, and when melted, add tortellini.