Description
Zuppa Toscana is a hearty Italian-American soup featuring Italian sausage, potatoes, kale, and bacon in a creamy broth with a hint of spice. This Olive Garden copycat recipe is comforting and satisfying, perfect for a cozy night in.
Ingredients
Italian Sausage:
1 pound, casing removed,
Bacon:
4 slices, chopped,
Onion:
1 medium, chopped,
Garlic:
3 cloves, minced,
Chicken Broth:
4 cups,
Potatoes:
3 cups, thinly sliced or diced,
Kale:
2 cups, chopped,
Heavy Cream:
1 cup,
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes:
1/2 teaspoon (optional),
Salt and Black Pepper:
to taste,
Grated Parmesan Cheese:
for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
- Cook Sausage: Add the Italian sausage to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Remove excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Potatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and add the sliced potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
- Finish Soup: Stir in the chopped kale and cook for another 5 minutes until wilted. Reduce heat to low and add the heavy cream. Season with crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with crispy bacon and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Spinach can be substituted for kale if you prefer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
