Tortellini Soup

Ingredients (16)

• 20 ounces fresh cheese tortellini (I used RANA brand: the family size bag)
• 1 pound ground mild Italian sausage
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus additional for optional garnish
• 2 teaspoons dry Italian seasoning blend
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 29 ounces stewed tomatoes, give the tomatoes a rough chop and save the liquids from the can (two 14.5-ounce cans)
• 4 cups chopped fresh kale
• freshly grated parmesan cheese, optional garnish
• fresh basil, optional garnish