Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 Italian turkey sausage, links. casings removed (4 ounces each)
1 medium onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans low sodium chicken broth
1 3/4 cups water
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 (6 ounce) package fresh Baby Spinach, coarsely chopped
2 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh basil or 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 dash crushed red pepper flakes
shredded parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation

Crumble sausage into a Dutch oven; add onion.
Cook and stir over medium heat until meat is no longer pink.
Add garlic; cook and stir 2 minutes longer.
Add the broth, water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
Stir in tortellini; return to a boil.
Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-8 minutes or until tortellini are tender, stirring occasionally.
Add the spinach, basil, pepper and pepper flakes; cook 2 - 3 minutes longer or until spinach is wilted.
Serve with cheese if desired.