Sicilian Sausage Soup

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 pound Italian sausage
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
1/8 teaspoon fennel seeds
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup ditalini pasta
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

• In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Stir in sausage, onion, garlic and fennel seeds and cook until sausage is brown, 10 minutes.
• Stir in carrots and celery and continue to cook and stir until vegetables begin to color, 5 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes, parsley, basil and chicken broth.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
• Stir in pasta, salt and pepper, cook until pasta is tender, 10 minutes more. Serve topped with grated Parmesan.