Make it before you Shake it...Tortellini Soup

So, last night I had my Shake it Fit dance class. I spent the afternoon on the phone with my best friend and of course lost complete track of time and realized I needed to do something for dinner for Dee Jay. I whipped this soup up in no time, turned the crock pot on, set the timer and took off! (Note to self: Don't mince garlic or onions or anything that leaves its scent on you for hours right before you go to a fitness class! I smelled garlic the ENTIRE time I was there lol)! Anyway, what is this easy and delicious meal you made you're asking?? Crock-Pot Tortellini Soup is it's name, and you won't want to stop eating it is it's game!! I found it on my Pinterest page after realizing I post A LOT of recipes on there that say things like, "200+ crock-pot recipes". So, I stumbled on to this one, and I'm so glad I did. Here's how I make it (before leaving to shake it)...

Take two cans (14 1/2 oz) of beef or vegetable broth (you can use low sodium if you want) and pour into the crock pot. Chop two cloves of garlic, one red bell pepper, and one medium sized zucchini and toss into the broth. Take one can (28 oz) of diced tomatoes and throw in the pot (juice and all).  Add 1/4 teaspoon of basil and a half of a teaspoon of garlic powder to the mix. (I know the recipe says to add corn and green onion, I totally missed that step in my "put it together as fast as I can" rush and it still tasted great. I make mistakes like this ALL the time, and most of the time it works out great)! Throw in one package (9 oz) of tortellini, I used the three cheese tortellini. And then you are going to brown one to one and half pounds of Italian sausage or beef, drain it and toss it in the crock-pot! (Note: I used Italian sausage which is very greasy, next time I will probably use ground venison or chicken because it will be less fat).

Presto! Turn your crock-pot on high and cook it for about 3 1/2 hours, serve it up and add some fresh grated Parmesan cheese and you have delicious tortellini soup for dinner!

~Happy Eating~

Kraft Crock-Pot Tortellini Soup

• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounce each) vegetable or beef broth
• 1 - 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef or Italian sausage; browned, drained & rinsed
• 1 can (15-1/4 ounce) whole kernel corn, drained
• 6 green onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed through a press or minced
• 1/4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 can (28 ounce) diced tomatoes
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cups chopped zucchini (about one medium)
• 1 pkg. (9 oz.) tortellini; any flavor
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
• Grated Parmesan, over the top for serving 

Mix together all the ingredients into a crock-pot (except for the cheese), turn on high and cook for 3 1/2-4 hours (ours did not even take the full 3 1/2). Serve in bowls with Parmesan cheese on top! (Don't wait too long or you will overcook the tortellini and it will be mushy)