Description
This Easy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana brings the comforting flavors of the restaurant version right to your kitchen. Hearty sausage, creamy potatoes, and fresh kale come together in a rich broth for the ultimate bowl of cozy. Perfect for chilly nights or anytime you need a comforting meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- Italian Sausage: 1 lb (mild or spicy, based on preference)
- Russet Potatoes: 4 medium, peeled and diced
- Kale: 4 cups, chopped (fresh, not frozen)
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- Chicken Broth: 4 cups
- Onion: 1 medium, chopped
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: 1/2 teaspoon (optional, for heat)
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
- Salt: to taste
- Pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage:
Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up as it cooks, and brown it until fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the sausage and set aside. - Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
In the same pot, add olive oil (if needed) and sauté the chopped onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, making sure it doesn’t burn. - Cook the Potatoes:
Add the diced potatoes to the pot along with the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart. - Add the Sausage and Kale:
Once the potatoes are tender, return the cooked sausage to the pot. Stir in the chopped kale and let it wilt, cooking for another 2-3 minutes. - Stir in the Cream:
Lower the heat to medium-low, and pour in the heavy cream. Stir everything together and let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
Notes
- Sausage: Use mild sausage for a more neutral flavor or spicy sausage for a kick. You can also mix both to balance the heat.
- Potatoes: For a thicker soup, mash some of the potatoes in the pot once they’re tender to add a creamy texture.
- Kale: Always use fresh kale for the best texture. Avoid frozen kale as it can become mushy when cooked.
- Cream Alternatives: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or coconut milk. However, using coconut milk will alter the flavor slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg