Italian Sausage & Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound Italian ground pork sausage 
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 14-oz. cans chicken broth
• 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth 
• 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes in tomato purée
• 2 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced 
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced 
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Preparation

Brown sausage in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain, leaving a small amount of drippings in pan. Add onion and garlic; cook just until tender. Add broth, wine or broth, vegetables and herbs; bring to a boil. Add uncooked pasta; reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, until vegetables and pasta are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes 6 to 8 servings.