Tortellini Sausage Soup

Is it cool enough to post a soup recipe yet?  I think so!  Right now it's 68 degrees where I live and, since it's been at 95-100 degrees for the past two weeks, I am declaring it soup weather!  This soup is hearty and delicious and so easy to put together.  Using chicken or turkey sausage will cut down on the calories too!  Enjoy!

Tortellini Sausage Soup (adapted from ourbestbites.com)

12 oz. chicken or turkey Italian sausage, casings removed if using fresh
1 yellow onion, diced
1 c. carrots, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. water
2 (15 oz.) cans low sodium chicken broth
1/2 c. apple cider
1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 t. dried basil
1 t. dried oregano
2 medium zucchini, grated
2 T. dried parsley
8-10 oz. cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (if desire)

If you're using fresh sausage, remove the casing and crumble into a large soup pot.  If you are using fully cooked sausage (like I did) just slice the sausage into 1/2" slices and add to a large soup pot.  Add the onion, carrot and garlic to the pot and cook until the onions are translucent and the sausage is cooked through.  

Add water, chicken broth, apple cider, tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil and oregano.  Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.  Add zucchini and parsley and simmer, uncovered, for another 15 minutes.  Bring the soup to a boil and add the tortellini, cooking according to package directions.  Serve with grated Parmesan, if desired.

4 servings (421 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com