Description
This hearty Zuppa Toscana recipe features savory Italian sausage, tender Yukon Gold potatoes, fresh kale, and crispy bacon, all simmered together in a creamy chicken stock base. Perfect for warming up on chilly days, this classic Tuscan soup balances rich flavors with fresh greens for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 pound Ground Italian Sausage
- 6 pieces Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Vegetables
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium White Onion, peeled and diced
- 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced
- 2 to 3 cups Fresh Kale, chopped
Liquids and Dairy
- 5 to 6 cups Chicken Stock
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: Brown the Italian sausage in a large stockpot over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Once done, transfer the sausage to a plate and reserve 1 tablespoon of grease in the pot. Discard any excess grease.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same pot, add the diced onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until they become translucent and soft. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Potatoes and Stock: Stir in the diced Yukon Gold potatoes along with the chicken stock and the cooked sausage. Bring to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Simmer with Kale and Cream: Add the chopped kale and heavy whipping cream to the soup. Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes so the kale softens and the flavors meld together. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with crumbled bacon bits. Serve the Zuppa Toscana hot and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors.
Notes
- For a spicier version, use spicy Italian sausage.
- You can substitute kale with spinach if preferred.
- The chicken stock amount can be adjusted depending on your desired soup consistency.
- Leftover soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This soup can be made gluten free if using gluten free sausage and broth.
