Description
This Zuppa Toscana recipe is a comforting and hearty soup that’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor. Packed with savory Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and fresh kale, it’s a homemade version that’s even better than Olive Garden’s! Perfect for cozy dinners or when you’re craving comfort food.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (960ml) chicken broth
- 3 cups (720ml) water
- 4–5 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced or diced
- 2 cups (60g) kale, chopped and stems removed
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes, grated Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Cook the bacon until crispy, then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Reserve 1–2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.
- Add the Italian sausage to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté the diced onion until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and water, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Add the sliced potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the cooked sausage, bacon, and chopped kale. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until the kale is wilted.
- Lower the heat and gently stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for another 5 minutes without boiling. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese if preferred.
Notes
- For a lighter option, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Swap kale with spinach if preferred, but add it at the very end to avoid overcooking.
- This soup pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or garlic knots!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 65mg