Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of this incredible copycat Zuppa Toscana soup. While not strictly traditional Italian, this homemade version perfectly captures the essence of the beloved restaurant classic, brimming with savory sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and fresh kale in a creamy, satisfying broth. Prepare to fall in love with a soup so delicious, you’ll crave it more than the original!
There’s truly nothing quite like a hearty, warm bowl of soup to chase away the chill on a brisk day. As the temperatures drop, our bodies instinctively seek out comforting meals that nourish both the soul and the stomach. This Zuppa Toscana recipe is precisely that – a culinary embrace that promises warmth, flavor, and pure satisfaction. Once you experience the magic of this irresistible soup, be sure to explore more of our cozy recipes, like our robust Crock Pot Chili or another fantastic restaurant recreation, this creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup.
I must admit, winter is not my favorite season. However, my passion for soup knows no bounds, making the colder months a perfect excuse to dive headfirst into a world of comforting and delicious soup recipes! There’s an undeniable joy in simmering a pot of goodness on the stove, filling the kitchen with tantalizing aromas that promise a delightful meal.
The Ultimate Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup
Among my cherished collection of cold-weather culinary delights, this Zuppa Toscana recipe stands out as a true masterpiece. It’s a beloved Olive Garden copycat that has captivated palates far and wide, and for very good reason! This soup strikes a harmonious balance between a subtle hint of spice, generous portions of richly flavored sausage and crispy bacon, and delightful bites of tender potato and fresh, vibrant kale. While I personally enjoy an extra kick of heat, this recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to easily adjust the spice level to suit everyone in your family, ensuring a crowd-pleasing meal every time.
Crafting this iconic soup at home allows for a level of freshness and flavor customization that simply can’t be matched by its restaurant counterpart. You control the quality of ingredients, the seasoning, and the exact texture of each component, resulting in a Zuppa Toscana that feels truly gourmet yet approachable for any home cook. It’s a perfect dish for cozy evenings, family gatherings, or simply when you need a little culinary hug.
To complete this ideal cold-weather meal, pair your Zuppa Toscana with some crusty French Bread or our irresistible Parmesan Breadsticks, perfect for soaking up every last drop of the savory broth. For an authentic Olive Garden-inspired experience, serve it alongside a crisp, fresh salad, creating a complete and satisfying soup and salad combination right in your own dining room.
Why This Zuppa Toscana Recipe Is A Must-Try
- Unmatched Flavor: The combination of spicy Italian sausage, smoky bacon, and a creamy broth creates a flavor profile that is both complex and incredibly satisfying.
- Hearty & Filling: Packed with potatoes and kale, this soup is substantial enough to be a meal on its own, leaving you feeling comfortably full.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level, vary the type of sausage, or even swap out kale for spinach to suit your personal preferences.
- Better Than Restaurant Quality: Fresh ingredients and homemade care elevate this soup beyond what you’d find in most eateries.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this soup is always a hit.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Zuppa Toscana
The magic of Zuppa Toscana lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the soup’s iconic flavor and comforting texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for selection:
- Sausage: For this recipe, I prefer using sweet Italian sausage. Its mild flavor with a hint of fennel perfectly complements the other ingredients without overpowering them. However, feel free to experiment with a mild Italian sausage for a less sweet profile, or a hot Italian sausage if you crave an extra fiery kick. The choice is yours, allowing you to tailor the soup’s heat to your liking!
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: These tiny flakes are your secret weapon for controlling the soup’s spice level. Add them generously for a bold, zesty flavor that awakens the palate, or scale back for a milder, family-friendly version. Taste as you go to find your perfect balance!
- Bacon: Crispy, salty bacon bits add an essential layer of smoky depth and delightful texture to the soup. I typically opt for a regular cut of bacon, which renders beautifully and provides ample flavor. If you prefer larger, more substantial pieces of bacon in your soup, a thick-cut variety would be an excellent choice.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatic staples form the foundational flavor base of almost any great soup. Do not underestimate their power! Sautéing diced onion until translucent and then adding minced garlic for just a minute or so releases incredibly fragrant and savory notes that truly make the soup sing.
- Chicken Broth: This liquid gold provides the rich, savory backdrop for our Zuppa Toscana. While chicken broth offers a wonderfully balanced flavor, you can certainly substitute it with vegetable broth for a lighter taste or beef broth for a deeper, more robust profile.
- Potatoes: Tender, diced potatoes are a hallmark of Zuppa Toscana, adding heartiness and a pleasant starchiness to the broth. I typically use russet potatoes, which are known for their fluffy texture when cooked. Most other potato varieties, such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes, would also perform well in this recipe, offering slight variations in texture. For a truly authentic Olive Garden copycat, russet potatoes are the way to go.
- Cream: Heavy whipping cream is the ingredient that transforms the broth into a luxuriously creamy, velvety texture. It adds richness and a beautiful pale hue, making the soup utterly irresistible. Don’t skimp on the heavy cream for that signature Zuppa Toscana mouthfeel!
- Kale: Fresh, vibrant kale adds a touch of earthiness, color, and essential nutrients to the soup. While many recipes suggest spinach as an alternative, I strongly prefer kale for several reasons. Firstly, kale holds its structure much better than spinach, which tends to become limp and sometimes slimy when cooked in soup. Secondly, I find kale’s slightly bitter, robust flavor more complementary to the other bold ingredients. Lastly, kale maintains its integrity beautifully, making leftovers just as enjoyable as the freshly made soup.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Zuppa Toscana
Creating this restaurant-quality Zuppa Toscana at home is simpler than you might think. Follow these clear steps to achieve a perfectly balanced and incredibly flavorful soup:
1: Brown the Sausage and Pepper Flakes. Begin by placing a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your chosen Italian sausage and red pepper flakes. As the sausage cooks, use a spoon or spatula to break it up into small, even pieces. Continue to cook until the sausage is thoroughly browned and no longer pink.
2: Remove Sausage. Once the sausage is cooked, carefully remove it from the pot using a slotted spoon and transfer it to a separate bowl. Set aside for later.
3: Cook the Bacon. Now, add the diced bacon to the same pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon becomes deliciously crisp. This typically takes about 7-8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the crispy bacon and add it to the bowl with the cooked sausage. Drain all but about one to two tablespoons of the rendered bacon grease from the pot; this flavorful grease will be used to sauté the aromatics.
4: Sauté the Onion. To the remaining bacon grease in the pot, add the diced onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. This step is crucial for building a deep flavor foundation.
5: Add the Garlic. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30-60 seconds, or until you can smell its fragrant aroma. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can quickly turn bitter.
6: Deglaze with Broth. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot with your spoon to release any browned bits (fond). These bits are packed with flavor! Bring the broth mixture to a rolling boil.
7: Simmer the Potatoes. Add the diced potatoes to the boiling broth. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender. This typically takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of your potato cubes.
8: Reincorporate Meat. Once the potatoes are perfectly tender, stir the cooked sausage and crispy bacon back into the pot.
9: Add the Cream. Reduce the heat to low, then carefully stir in the heavy whipping cream. Allow the soup to warm through gently; avoid bringing it to a hard boil after adding the cream, as it can sometimes curdle.
10: Stir in the Kale. Add the chopped kale to the soup. Stir until the kale has slightly wilted and brightened in color, which usually takes about 5-10 minutes. If you prefer your kale very soft, you can add it a bit earlier with the potatoes.
11: Season and Serve. Taste the soup and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Serve your homemade Zuppa Toscana warm, perhaps with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor.
Customization and Creative Additions for Your Zuppa Toscana
While the classic Zuppa Toscana recipe is perfect as is, it also serves as an excellent canvas for culinary creativity. Feel free to make it your own with these delicious additions:
- Additional Vegetables: The traditional restaurant version keeps it simple, but don’t hesitate to boost the nutritional value and flavor with extra vegetables. Carrots, finely chopped cauliflower florets, or a handful of corn kernels would all be fantastic additions, adding sweetness and texture.
- Legumes for Nutrition: For an added protein punch and heartiness, consider stirring in a can of drained and rinsed white beans, such as cannellini or great northern beans. Their creamy texture pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.
- Cheese Topping: Before serving, a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese is highly recommended. It melts slightly into the hot soup, adding a wonderful salty, umami depth that elevates the entire dish.
- Herbs: A pinch of dried oregano or a sprig of fresh thyme added during the simmering stage can enhance the Italian-inspired flavors.
- Spicy Kick: If you love heat, consider adding a dash of hot sauce or a few extra red pepper flakes at the end of cooking.
- Lemon Zest: A tiny grating of fresh lemon zest just before serving can brighten all the flavors in the soup.
- Vegetarian/Vegan Adaptations: For a meat-free version, substitute Italian sausage with plant-based sausage crumbles, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For a vegan option, also replace bacon with a plant-based alternative or skip it, and use a dairy-free cream alternative (like full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream), ensuring all other ingredients are plant-based.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zuppa Toscana
Here are answers to some common questions to help you master this delightful soup:
Can Zuppa Toscana be frozen?
Soups containing dairy, especially those with cream, can be tricky to freeze as the cream may separate and become grainy upon reheating. Additionally, potatoes can change texture and become mealy after freezing and thawing. If you absolutely wish to freeze it, I highly recommend freezing the soup base *without* the heavy cream and then stirring in the cream as you reheat it. This method helps preserve the creamy texture. Regardless, leftovers store beautifully in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Simply reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe scales up very easily. For a double batch, you will likely need a larger pot, at least a 6-quart pot or Dutch oven, to accommodate all the ingredients comfortably. Ensure you have enough space for simmering and stirring.
Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
Yes, Zuppa Toscana can certainly be made in an Instant Pot, though it might not save a significant amount of time compared to the stovetop method due to the multiple steps of browning and pressure cooking. To adapt: use the sauté feature to brown the sausage and bacon as directed. After adding the broth and potatoes, secure the lid and set it to high pressure for 5 minutes. Perform a quick release of the pressure, then stir in the heavy cream and kale until wilted.
What if I prefer my kale really soft?
Adding the kale at the very end, as directed, results in kale with a pleasant, slight “bite.” If you prefer a much softer texture, you have a couple of options: you can add the kale alongside the potatoes to allow it to simmer for a longer period, resulting in a more tender leaf. Alternatively, if you’re not a fan of kale’s texture at all, spinach makes a great substitute and softens very quickly and easily in the hot soup.
How can I make this soup lighter?
To reduce the calorie and fat content, you can use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of sausage, or opt for a chicken sausage. Use low-sodium chicken broth, and consider swapping out half of the heavy cream for half-and-half or even evaporated milk, though this will alter the richness slightly.
Discover More Comforting Soup Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed this Zuppa Toscana, you’re sure to love these other hearty and flavorful soup creations from our kitchen:
- Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup
- Homemade Bean and Bacon Soup
- Cheddar Cheese Soup
- Classic Homemade Beef Stew Recipe
- Crock Pot Corn Chowder
- Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup
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Zuppa Toscana
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars from 1 vote
Author: Deborah Harroun
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (cut this back if you want it less spicy)
- 1/2 lb bacon cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3-4 cups kale chopped
Instructions
- Place a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and red pepper flakes and cook, breaking the sausage up as it cooks. Cook until browned and no longer pink, then remove to a bowl or plate.
- Add the bacon to the pot and cook until crisp, about 7-8 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and add to the sausage. Drain all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease.
- To the remaining bacon grease, add the onion and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook another 30-60 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the potatoes, and boil until fork tender, about 20 minutes.
- Once the potatoes are tender, reduce the heat and add the sausage and bacon back into the pan. Stir in the heavy cream. Add the kale and stir to combine.
- Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the kale has softened a bit.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve warm.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.
Nutrition Information
Keywords: olive garden zuppa toscana, Zuppa toscana, zuppa toscana recipe, zuppa toscana soup