Slow Cooker Sausage Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

• 1 pound link sausage
• 2 cups onion
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 2 cups carrots
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• 3 cans whole tomatoes , 14 ounce
• 4 cups stock
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 2 packages cheese tortellini , 9 ounce
• 2 cups kale leaves , stems removed
• grated Parmesan cheese for garnish , optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook sausage in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; stir frequently and break up meat with a spatula into lima bean-sized pieces, until browned, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove sausage from skillet; add to a 6-quart slow cooker.

2. 2

   Add chopped onion and celery to the same skillet; cook and stir until vegetables begin to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds.

3. 3

   Pour vegetable mixture into the slow cooker. Add tomatoes with juices; break tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Add chicken stock or broth, stir to distribute evenly, cover, and cook on Low 7 or 8 hours, or on High 3 to 4 hours.

4. 4

   About halfway through the cooking process, season with salt and pepper, and add Italian herb seasoning blend. See note.

5. 5

   About 30 minutes before serving, turn slow cooker to High, add tortellini and kale, and adjust seasoning. Cover and cook until tortellini is tender, about 30 minutes.

6. 6

   Serve warm, and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.