If you love Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana Soup you are going to love this copycat version. This comforting soup is packed full of crumbled Italian Sauage, potatoes, kale all in the most delicious creamy broth.
I remember having this soup for the first time at Olive Garden many years ago. One of my co-workers ordered it and raved about how delicious it was, so naturally half of the table ordered it. I fell in love with this soup that day.
Within a week, I found myself in the kitchen attempting to replicate it. Years have passed, and I continue to make this delightful soup.
- u003cstrongu003eBaconu003c/strongu003e - Thick smokey u003cstrongu003ebaconu003c/strongu003e works beautifully in this soup.
- u003cstrongu003eSausageu003c/strongu003e - Mild or spicyu003cstrongu003e Italian Sausageu003c/strongu003e.
- u003cstrongu003eOnionu003c/strongu003e - White or yellow u003cstrongu003eonion.u003c/strongu003e
- u003cstrongu003eGarlicu003c/strongu003e - Freshlyu003cstrongu003e minced garlicu003c/strongu003e. Garlic powder can be substituted if needed.
- u003cstrongu003eFennel Seedsu003c/strongu003e - Optional but adds more flavor!
- u003cstrongu003eRed Pepper Flakesu003c/strongu003e - To add a little spice, optional.
- u003cstrongu003eChicken Stocku003c/strongu003e - This recipe uses chicken stock for the base of the soup. I wouldn't recommend using anything else. The chicken stock adds so much flavor to the soup.
- u003cstrongu003eHeavy Creamu003c/strongu003e - To add a rich creaminess to the soup.
- u003cstrongu003ePotatoes u003c/strongu003e- This recipe uses u003cstrongu003erusset potatoesu003c/strongu003e, but you can substitute for red or yellow potatoes if needed.
- u003cstrongu003eSalt and Pepperu003c/strongu003e
- u003cstrongu003eKaleu003c/strongu003e
STEP 1
Begin by sautéing the bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it's crispy and most of the fat has rendered off. Remove the bacon and set it aside.
STEP 2
Next, cook the sausage and onion in the same pot, breaking the sausage apart as it browns. Once the sausage is fully cooked, add the garlic, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes, sautéing for one minute.
STEP 3
Then, add the chicken stock and potatoes to the pot, bringing it to a simmer and cooking until the potatoes are tender.
STEP 4
Stir in the kale. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for another 5 minutes then stir in the heavy cream. Enjoy!
Serve this delicious soup with a nice crusty bread like Sourdough or French Bread. It also pairs well with nice soft Homemade Breadsticks.
Freezing in airtight containers:
Portion and pour the soup into the containers, leaving 1 inch of space between the top of the container and the soup. Allow the soup to cool completely before placing the lid on. Label the container and freeze for about 6 months. Thaw completely before reheating.
Freezing in freezer bags:
Allow the soup to cool completely before filling the bags. Seal and label the bags. Lay them out flat and place in the freezer. Soup can be frozen for about 6 months. Thaw completely before reheating.
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📖 Recipe
Zuppa Toscana Soup
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 10 ounces italian sausage spicy or mild
- ½ cup onion small diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds optional, but worth it
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 ½ quarts chicken stock
- 1 pound russet potatoes medium diced
- 2 ½ teaspoons salt
- to taste pepper
- 2 cups kale rough chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Begin by sautéing the bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it's crispy and most of the fat has rendered off. Remove the bacon and set it aside.
- To the same pot add the sausage and onion. Crumble the sausage up as it browns. Once the sausage is cooked through, add in the garlic, fennel seeds and red peppers flakes and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add the chicken stock and potatoes to the pot and bring to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the kale, season with salt and pepper. Continue simmering for 5 minutes.
- Add in the cream and bacon, cook for 2-3 minutes then serve. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
This is a hearty, delicious soup. Perfect for cold, rainy days or anytime.