Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. Regular Flavor Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage
- 1 teaspoon ground fennel
- 3 cups water or stock
- 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes with Italian herbs and garlic
- 9 or 10 ounces purchased fresh cheese tortellini
- 1-1/2 cups thinly sliced, quartered yellow squash
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, or 1 tablespoon dried (optional)
- grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)
Directions:
Spoon 1" chunks of sausage into a 4-6 quart non-stick pot; cook sausage and ground fennel over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until meat is lightly browned and no longer pink. Stir in stock, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Raise heat to high, stir in tortellini and squash. When liquid returns to a boil, stir once, add basil if desired; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until pasta is just tender, about 6-8 minutes. Season to taste; garnish with Parmesan and parsley.
Serving size:
Makes 8-9 cups