Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
• 8 oz (225 g) Italian sausage meat (casing removed)
• 1 onion chopped
• 2 carrots sliced
• 2 garlic cloves (chopped) or 1 tsp chopped garlic cloves
• 2 tsp (10 ml) dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) salt
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
• 1 can (28 oz/796 ml) diced tomatoes with juice
• 6 cups (1.5 L) chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) balsamic vinegar
• 1 can (19 oz/540 ml) lentils, rinsed and drained or 1/2 cup 125 ml dried lentils
• 1 lb cheese or meat filled tortellini
• 3 cups (750 ml) lightly packed baby spinach
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan add oil,sausage and onion cook over medium heat until meat is cooked
2. Add garlic and carrots and stir for 5 minutes
3. Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, tomatoes, chicken broth and vinegar.
4. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low for 5 minutes
5. Stir in canned lentils (note is using dried pre-cook them) and tortellini and simmer until tortellini is tender
6. Stir in spinach, cover and turn off heat. Let stand for a minute or so until spinach is wilted

Instantpot Version

1. In the Instantpot add oil,sausage and onion to Instantpot and saute until meat is cooked
2. Add garlic and carrots and stir for 5 minutes
3. Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, tomatoes, chicken broth, dried lentils and vinegar.
4. Cover and select “soup”
5. After soup has finished, manually vent and remove lid when completely vented
6. Add tortellini as well as spinach and simmer until tortellini is tender
7. Serve, once tortellini and spinach is cooked

Serve with a sprinkling of cheese.