How to Make the Perfect Zuppa Toscana
Italian · Easy · 50 min · 6 servings
A creamy hearty Italian soup loaded with spicy sausage, tender potatoes, and fresh kale. This Olive Garden copycat is rich, satisfying, and ready in under an hour.
Why this recipe works
This Zuppa Toscana recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 480 calories with 22g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 4 medium russet potatoes sliced thin
- 3 cups fresh kale chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Brown the meats
In a large pot over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside. In the same pot, add the spicy Italian sausage and cook until browned and crumbled, about 6 minutes. Drain excess fat leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pot.
Step 2: Saute aromatics
Add the diced onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Simmer the potatoes
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the thinly sliced potatoes and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
Step 4: Add cream and kale
Stir in the heavy cream and chopped kale. Return the cooked bacon to the pot. Simmer for 5 more minutes until the kale is wilted and the soup is heated through. Season with salt to taste.
Step 5: Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra bacon crumbles and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve immediately with crusty bread.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- heavy cream → half and half for a lighter version
- spicy Italian sausage → mild Italian sausage plus extra red pepper flakes
- kale → spinach added in the last 2 minutes of cooking
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Slicing potatoes too thick which leads to uneven or undercooked pieces
- Adding the kale too early which makes it tough and overly bitter
- Boiling the soup after adding cream which can cause it to curdle
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 480 calories, 22g protein, 28g carbs, 32g fat, 3g fiber.
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