Best Italian Sausage Soup

Best Italian Sausage Soup

"This is one of my favorite soups and it always gets rave reviews! Salad, hard rolls and wine make a meal! You can make this 24 hours ahead of time without the noodles and wait to add the spinach noodles until soup is reheated for serving. Yummy! Serve topped with grated Parmesan!"

Ingredients 
Original recipe makes 8 servings 

•  1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian sausage
•  2 cloves garlic, minced 
•  2 small onions, chopped
•  2 (16 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes 
•  1 1/4 cups dry red wine 
•  5 cups beef broth 
•  1/2 teaspoon dried basil 
•  1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 
•  2 zucchini, sliced 
•  1 green bell pepper, chopped 
•  3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 
•  1 (16 ounce) package spinach fettuccine pasta
•  salt and pepper to taste 

Directions

1. In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels. Drain fat from pan, reserving 3 tablespoons. 
2. Cook garlic and onion in reserved fat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, wine, broth, basil, and oregano. Transfer to a slow cooker, and stir in sausage, zucchini, bell pepper, and parsley.
3. Cover, and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours. 
4. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain water, and add pasta to the slow cooker. Simmer for a few minutes, and season with salt and pepper before serving.