Hot Italian Sausage Tomato Soup

Hot Italian Sausage Tomato Soup is a rustic, hearty, easy to make soup. It’s great with crusty bread and a salad.  I keep hot Italian sausage in the freezer so I have it on hand when I am looking for a quick meal. You can add tortellini or ravioli of your choice, to make it more substantial. We like it both ways, and have included a photo below with cheese tortellini. The key to the flavor is the best hot Italian sausage you can find.

Serves: 4 without pasta added, 6 with pasta
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Hint: If you can only find sweet Italian sausage, add a 1/2 teaspoon of dried red pepper flakes.

Four links (about 1 pound) hot Italian sausages, casing removed
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 – 28 ounce can of whole plum tomatoes (San Marzano is my favorite), DO NOT DRAIN
1 cup water
1 teaspoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon fresh basil (if using fresh basil save extra for garnish)
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound cheese filled tortellini or ravioli (optional)
Parmesan-Reggiano cheese, grated (for garnish)
Fresh basil, chiffonade (for garnish)

1. Remove sausages from their casings into a medium bowl and set aside.
2. In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, over medium heat, heat the olive oil.  Sauté the sausage in a single layer until cooked through, (breaking up sausage links with back of wooden spoon or fork).
3. Add the tomatoes, water, basil, salt and pepper. Mash the tomatoes carefully with a potato masher.
4. Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes.
5. Prepare pasta according to package directions and add to soup at the end.

GARNISH: Parmesan-Reggiano cheese, grated, and fresh basil chiffonade.
SERVING: Serve with crusty bread and a green salad.
STORAGE: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days; freeze for up to 2 months.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Double Masher
Le Crueset Cast Iron Pot
OXO Wooden Spoon

Hot Italian Sausage Tomato Soup with Cheese Tortellini