Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 pound mild Italian Sausage
• 12 cups beef broth
• 2 to 3 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 bag Sausage Lentil Soup Mix

Directions:

1. Crumble and brown sausage in oil in a 6 or 8 quart pot.
2. Rinse, drain and pick over lentils.
3. Add lentils, vegetable packet and broth to pot.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add zucchini after 30 minutes.
5. Add tomatoes and wine to soup.
6. Simmer, uncovered, for 15-30 minutes.

Vegetarian Soup Recipe Variation:
Start the soup with sautéing the vegetables that go into ratatouille: a red and green pepper, large onion, 2 medium zucchini, and a small eggplant, cut up into 1-inch chunks. Add the soup mix and 8 cups broth. Simmer 45 minutes. Add the tomatoes and simmer another 10 minutes. Serve with grated parmesan cheese.