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The BEST Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup: Creamy, Weeknight Friendly Recipe

A close-up of a creamy bowl of zuppa toscana soup, featuring potatoes, sausage, kale, and topped with crispy bacon bits and Parmesan.
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Make the famous Zuppa Toscana soup at home. This recipe delivers the creamy broth, spicy Italian sausage, potatoes, and kale you expect from the restaurant classic. It is a hearty, comforting soup perfect for a chilly evening.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (spicy or mild)
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 cups fresh kale, stems removed and chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pot.
  2. Add the Italian sausage to the pot. Break the sausage apart with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain off excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Add the sliced potatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream and chopped kale. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kale wilts. Do not allow the soup to boil after adding the cream.
  8. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese until melted and the broth is creamy.
  9. Ladle the Zuppa Toscana soup into bowls. Top each serving with the reserved crispy bacon pieces and extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a less spicy soup, use mild Italian sausage instead of spicy.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, mash a few of the cooked potato slices against the side of the pot before adding the cream.
  • This soup tastes even better the next day, making it great for meal prep.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/zuppa-toscana-soup-creamy-sausage-recipe/