Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
I recommend spicy
- 3 garlic cloves
minced
- 1 medium white onion
peeled and diced
- 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
diced
- 5 to 6 cups chicken stock
- 2 to 3 cups chopped fresh kale
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper
- 6 pieces bacon
cooked and crumbled
Directions
- 1
Cook sausage in a large stockpot over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, breaking the sausage into small pieces as it cooks. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a separate plate, reserving 1 tablespoon grease in the stockpot for later*, and discarding the excess grease. (I actually like to briefly rinse my cooked sausage in a strainer to remove even more excess grease.) Set aside.
- 2
Add onions to the stockpot (with the grease), and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, and sauté for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add the potatoes, chicken stock, and cooked sausage, and continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Stir in the kale and cream, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 3
Serve warm, garnished with the bacon bits.
Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat)
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About this Recipe
Craving that rich, creamy Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden without the takeout price tag? This recipe brings those beloved zesty Italian flavors right to your table, creating a cozy and comforting meal you'll love. It’s incredibly easy to make, delivering authentic taste in just 40 minutes.
What makes this Zuppa Toscana so satisfying is the perfect balance of savory ground Italian sausage, tender Yukon Gold potatoes, and fresh kale, all simmered in a luscious chicken stock base. The thoughtful combination of ingredients ensures a deeply flavorful soup that warms you from the inside out, making it an instant family favorite.
Prepare for a truly comforting bowl of soup. Each spoonful offers tender chunks of potato, hearty Italian sausage, and slightly bitter kale, all suspended in a gloriously creamy broth. The warmth and robust flavors make it an ideal dish for chilly evenings, offering a taste experience that feels both indulgent and wonderfully homemade. You'll find the interplay of textures, from the substantial sausage to the soft potatoes and crisp bacon topping, incredibly appealing.
While spicy Italian sausage is recommended for a delightful kick, you can easily use mild ground Italian sausage for a gentler flavor profile that still tastes fantastic. For an extra touch of richness and crunch, don't skip the crispy crumbled bacon topping—it adds an essential textural contrast. Feel free to adjust the amount of fresh kale to your personal preference, adding more for extra greens or a bit less if you prefer a creamier, less fibrous soup.
This Zuppa Toscana is a perfect one-bowl meal for a comforting family dinner or when you need a hearty dish to warm up. Serve it alongside a crusty loaf of bread to sop up every last drop of the delicious, creamy broth.