1 lb. Italian sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 c chopped onion
1 t chopped garlic
1 c sliced carrots
1 t basil
1 t oregano
2 c sliced zucchini
1 c fresh mushrooms
1 green pepper, diced
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
1-14 oz can tomato sauce
4 fresh tomatoes, chopped
1-1/2 c sliced dill pickles
2 c frozen tortellini or small ravioli
7 c beef stock

Combine tomatoes, sausage, tomato sauce, stock, onion, garlic, carrots, basil and oregano in large pot and simmer 30 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer an additional hour, adding more water as necessary to cook tortellini.

Yield 10 servings.

NOTE: Other vegetables may be added such as Italian style green beans or garbanzo beans. Do NOT omit the dill pickles as they are important to the final flavor.