Description
This Easy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe delivers a hearty, comforting bowl of flavorful Italian-inspired soup. Featuring spicy Italian sausage, tender potatoes, fresh kale, and creamy broth, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or cozy lunch. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can recreate this popular restaurant-style soup right at home in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound spicy Italian ground sausage (use mild for kid-friendly)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- Chopped bacon or bacon bits for topping (optional)
- Grated parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
Vegetables
- ½ white onion (diced)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 4-5 yellow potatoes (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 4 cups chopped kale
Liquids and Seasonings
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 3 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the spicy Italian ground sausage for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
- Sauté onions and garlic: In the same pot, add butter and sauté the diced white onion over medium heat until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Cook the potatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and water, then add the cut potatoes along with salt and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, approximately 12-15 minutes.
- Add kale, cream, and sausage: Stir in the chopped kale and heavy cream, allowing the kale to wilt and the soup to heat through. Return the cooked sausage to the pot and mix well. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped bacon or bacon bits and grated parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade Zuppa Toscana!
Notes
- For a milder soup, substitute spicy Italian sausage with mild Italian sausage.
- You can substitute kale with spinach if preferred, though kale gives a more authentic texture.
- Use Yukon gold or yellow potatoes for best results, as they hold their shape well.
- Make the soup ahead and refrigerate; it reheats well and flavors deepen over time.
- Optional toppings like bacon and parmesan enhance flavor but can be omitted for a lighter soup.
