Kate's Spicy Sausage Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb hot Italian sausage
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 cup celery
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1 cup mushroom, sliced
• 2 teaspoons italian seasoning

• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups spicy clamato juice
• 1 can red kidney beans, drained
• 1 package frozen cheese tortellini

Directions

1. 1

   Steam sausage for 15 minutes to reduce fat content.

2. 2

   Let cool, and slice into bite sized pieces, removing casing if desired.

3. 3

   Spray large pot with no-stick spray.

4. 4

   Place sliced sausage in large pot with oil and let brown lightly. Remove sausage and pour off excess oil.

5. 5

   In same pot add onions,garlic, celery, carrots, and mushrooms until softened but not browned, then add back sausage.

6. 6

   Stir in seasoning, tomatoes, stock and clamato juice.

7. 7

   Bring to boil and simmer covered for 30 minutes.

8. 8

   Add frozen pasta and kidney beans; simmer covered for 20 minutes.

9. 9

   If too thick, dilute with water or more broth.

10. 10

    Season to taste.