Zuppa Toscana Soup

It’s so easy to enjoy this copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup from Olive Garden. It’s rich, creamy, and easy to make!

Ingredients

Bacon – You cannot go wrong with bacon as the first ingredient in a recipe! By adding bacon to your pot first, you will be drawing out the fat that everything will be cooked in. It adds a depth of flavor and richness to any soup.

Italian Sausage – The Italian Sausage works as the primary seasoning to your soup. For this reason, whichever kind you pick out will set the stage for your dish. That’s why you will want to pick out a spicier Italian Sausage. If you prefer, you can use a mild Italian Sausage but you may need to add more seasoning to taste at the end.

Garlic – The garlic will add flavor to your broth which is the base of this dish. You will need 1 medium head of garlic, or 6-8 large cloves peeled and minced. You can also measure out the equivalent of minced garlic if you have this on hand.

Onion – Onions will add that umami of flavors to your both. You will want the onion to be diced to help bring out all that flavors and aroma. If you do not like the texture of the onion in your soup, but want that flavor, you can also puree your onion.

Chicken Broth – Chicken broth acts as the base for the soup. I suggest using chicken broth because it is a more mild flavor that blends well for this recipe. If you do not have chicken broth, you can substitute with vegetable broth. This will also be a mild broth that will not overpower your dish. The key is to keep the Italian Sausage as the star of this soup.

Russet Potatoes – Russet potatoes are high in starch and will be able to help create that thick base for the soup. You can also use Yukon Gold Potatoes, however these tend to be smaller than Russet Potatoes so be sure to increase the amount if you choose to use them.

Kale – Kale is low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that your body needs. If you have picky eaters in your house, putting it into a creamy soup is a great way to serve this vegetable!

Whipping Cream – Whipping cream is added to the soup last to bring it all together. It’s what gives the soup a rich flavor and silky smooth taste.

Italian Seasoning – Italian seasoning, along with salt and pepper, are the only seasonings this dish needs. The soup will pull most of it’s flavors from the bacon, sausage, and other ingredients so be sure to add this seasoning to taste. You can also use an herb based seasoning if you do not have Italian seasoning on hand.

Parmesan Cheese – As a garnish on top you can add parmesan cheese but this is an optional addition to your soup. If you do plan to serve this as a garnish, be sure to get fresh, shredded parmesan cheese or shred it just before serving.

How to Make Zuppa Toscano Soup

Cooking the Bacon and Sausage

In a large pot or Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, add the chopped bacon and sauté until browned for about 5-7 minutes. Remove bacon and place on a paper-towel-lined plate. Be sure to spoon out any excess oil while leaving about 1 Tbsp of oil in the pot.

Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with your spatula, and sauté until cooked through or about 5 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.

Building up the broth

Finely dice the onion and add to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until soft and golden. Then, add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute. Add 6 cups chicken broth and 2 cups water, and bring to a boil.

Adding the Vegetables and Seasoning

Add the sliced potatoes and cook for about 13-14 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork. When the potatoes are nearly done, add the chopped kale and cooked sausage and bring everything to a light boil.

Seasoning the Zuppa Toscano

Stir in 2 cups of cream and bring to a boil. Season to taste with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning then remove from heat. Garnish with bacon and grated parmesan.

Can you substitute The Italian Sausage?

If you would prefer to use a mild Italian Sausage instead of a spicy or hot version then you can absolutely substitute! The type of Italian Sausage that you get will set the stage for your dish as it is the star of the soup!

How can I store the leftovers?

You can put any leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days in an air-tight container. You can also store in the freezer for 3 months. I recommend placing the soup in a gallon sized freezer safe bag and letting it freeze while laying flat. This will save space in your freezer to stock up.

I Hope You Enjoy This Recipe!

If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe, and let me know what you think in the comments. Leave a quick review & star rating ★ below! Take pictures, tag #onestopchop, and share them with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen!