Cheese Tortellini Soup

This recipe is from my good friend Tawna Fuller. The tortellini used in the pic were from Costco and really good, but they were too big for this soup.  The smaller ones work lots better.

Cheese Tortellini Soup

1 lb. hamburger (or sausage)
1 onion
1-3 garlic cloves
6 cups beef broth
1 (28 oz.) can stewed tomatoes (or 1 quart bottled tomatoes)
1 can tomato sauce
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cups cubed zucchini
1 cup chopped green pepper
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 c parsley
2 cups frozen cheese tortellini (or more, we like lots more!)
*Fresh grated parmesan for garnish (optional)

Brown the hamburger, garlic, and onion together.  Add all the other ingredients except the tortellini.  Bring to a boil, and then simmer about 20 minutes.  Cook the pasta according to package directions, and then add it to the soup. 

Crockpot directions:
Brown the hamburger, garlic, and onion together.  Transfer to a slow cooker, add all other ingredients except the tortellini.  Cook on high 4-5 hours.  Cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain, and add to soup.  Cook 30 more minutes. 

Note: This is extremely tasty when you add a sprinkle of grated fresh parmesan cheese when serving!