Italian Tortellini Tuscan Stew

by Stephen Edwards
(Chicago, Illinois)

Italian Tortellini Tuscan Soup

This is my favorite Italian Tortellini Tuscan Stew recipe. It's quick to fix on a busy night and full of healthy, tasty ingredients. It originally called for spicy sausage links, but I've found that turkey sausage, leftover turkey or even ground turkey, is just as good.

This stew was really very satisfying for a chilly fall dinner.The slow cooker makes this delicious Tuscan tortellini stew a cinch to prepare.

Note: any recipe that uses a lot of fresh vegetables will be healthier than one with canned this and that.


Ingredients

3 Italian turkey sausage links (4 ounces each), casings removed, or 12 oz spicy sausage or turkey breast
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium zucchini, diced
28 ounces chicken broth
28 ounces crushed tomatoes -- undrained
15 1/2 ounces great northern beans -- rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons dried basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces uncooked cheese-filled tortellini
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese



Procedure

Combine all ingredients except tortellini in crockpot. Cover; cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Increase heat to high. Add tortellini and cook and 20-30 minutes or until tortellini is cooked.

Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Comments

I like crockpot recipes because they are nutrient dense. I always look for foods which provide a large amount of the daily value of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein in an inverse ratio to the calories.