Log Cabin Family Restaurant Italian Sausage Soup

Whenever we are in Baraboo, Wisconsin we always eat at the Log Cabin Family Restaurant.  This is their most popular soup.  It tastes like pizza in a bowl! 
 

16 oz ground Italian Sausage, broken into pieces (I buy the Jimmy Dean bulk sausage)
1/4 - 1/2 cup onions, diced
3 cups water
1 - 14 oz jar prepared pizza sauce
1 - 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes, in juice (do not drain)
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
3 - 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
8 oz package sliced button mushrooms (it may seem like a lot but they shrink down quite a bit)
12 oz cheese-filled tortellini (found in the refrigerator or freezer section of your grocery store)
Tomato juice or water to thin (optional)
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 - 1/2 cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese

In a large soup pot, brown sausage with onions.  When sausage is cooked through, drain off any excess grease, if there is any.  Add water, pizza sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic and mushrooms.  Turn up the heat to bring the soup to a boil then turn down the heat once boiling.  Simmer over medium heat about 10 minutes uncovered and an additional 10 minutes covered.  While the soup is simmering, cook the tortellini (according to package directions) in a separate pot - do not overcook.  Add the tortellini to the soup once it is finished simmering. If the soup is too thick, you may add tomato juice or water to thin to your liking.

Just before serving, place some mozzarella cheese in the bottom of the bowl.  Pour hot soup over the top and garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Makes 8 - 10 cups

Source:  Log Cabin Family Restaurant, Baraboo, WI

Janice