If there’s one dish that captures the essence of comforting Italian-American cuisine, it has to be Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana Soup. This hearty, flavorful soup is a crowd-pleaser, often served as a staple in the famed restaurant chain’s menu. The rich, creamy broth filled with savory sausage, tender potatoes, and the earthy bite of kale makes it feel like a warm embrace in a bowl. It’s the kind of soup you crave on a chilly evening or when you’re looking for something cozy to enjoy with friends and family.
But why settle for the restaurant version when you can make it at home? With a few simple ingredients, a bit of time, and some easy steps, you can recreate this delicious soup in your very own kitchen. What’s even better is that making it at home gives you the freedom to tweak the recipe to your taste. So, let’s dive into how to whip up this classic soup from scratch.
Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup With Kale Recipe
This copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe is perfect for anyone who loves the restaurant’s version and wants to recreate it at home. It combines the richness of sausage and bacon with the freshness of kale and the satisfying texture of potatoes, all swimming in a creamy broth. Ready to make your own Zuppa Toscana?
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need for this hearty soup:
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Ground Italian Sausage – 1 pound
- You’ll need a savory Italian sausage (either spicy or mild, depending on your preference). It provides the key flavor base for the soup.
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Bacon – 4 slices
- Bacon adds that smoky, crispy texture that complements the sausage and gives the soup an extra level of depth.
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Yellow Onion – 1 medium, chopped
- A chopped onion brings in a touch of sweetness and balances the savory ingredients.
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Garlic – 4 cloves, minced
- Garlic brings out that warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the soup.
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Chicken Broth – 4 cups
- The broth is the foundation of the soup’s base, adding richness and liquid that holds everything together.
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Russet Potatoes – 3 medium, thinly sliced
- Potatoes are a filling addition, adding a satisfying bite to the soup. Thinly slicing them ensures they cook evenly and break down a little in the broth.
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Kale – 3 cups, chopped
- Kale adds a hearty texture and fresh flavor. It’s also the iconic ingredient that sets Zuppa Toscana apart from other creamy soups.
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Heavy Cream – 1 cup
- Heavy cream creates that luscious, creamy texture that makes the soup so indulgent and comforting.
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Salt and Pepper – To taste
- Seasoning is key to bringing out all the flavors, so don’t skip this step.
Cooking Instructions
Making Zuppa Toscana at home is a breeze! Here’s how you can do it in a few simple steps:
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Cook The Sausage And Bacon
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and break it up with a spoon. Brown it for about 5 minutes, until it’s fully cooked.
- While the sausage cooks, chop the bacon into small pieces and add it to the pot. Cook until crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Once both the sausage and bacon are cooked, transfer them to a plate and set them aside.
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Sauté The Aromatics
- In the same pot, add the chopped onions and garlic, and sauté for about 3 minutes, until the onions become translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
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Simmer The Broth
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir in the thinly sliced potatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
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Add The Kale And Sausage
- Once the potatoes are tender, add the chopped kale, followed by the cooked sausage and bacon. Stir everything together.
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Finish With Cream
- Pour in the heavy cream, stir to combine, and let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes to ensure everything is heated through.
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Season And Serve
- Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Serve hot and enjoy!
Ingredient Insights
- Italian Sausage: This sausage is rich in flavor, often seasoned with fennel and garlic, making it a perfect match for this soup. It’s the base of the dish, giving it that signature savory taste. You can choose between spicy or mild sausage depending on your heat preference.
- Kale: Kale is a staple in this soup because of its texture and ability to hold up in the soup without wilting into mush. Unlike spinach, which might shrink or become soggy, kale adds a nice bite that contrasts beautifully with the creamy broth.
- Heavy Cream: The heavy cream is what makes this soup so decadent. It adds a silky smooth finish and enhances the flavors of the broth and sausage. You could use half-and-half or milk for a lighter version, but the cream is definitely what takes the soup to the next level.
Expert Tips
- Sausage Options: If you want to adjust the flavor profile, feel free to use different types of sausage. Chorizo or breakfast sausage can bring unique flavors to the dish. Also, try adding some crushed red pepper flakes for extra spice.
- Potato Variety: While russet potatoes are ideal for this recipe, you could swap them out with Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier texture or red potatoes for a firmer bite.
- Leafy Greens: Kale is traditional in this soup, but if you’re not a fan, spinach or Swiss chard can be used as alternatives. Just note that spinach will wilt much faster, so add it closer to the end of cooking.
- Make it Ahead: Zuppa Toscana gets even better the next day as the flavors meld. You can make it in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove, and be mindful that the potatoes might absorb some of the broth, so add a splash of water or extra broth when reheating if needed.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian Version: To make a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and bacon, and use a plant-based sausage and vegetable broth. You can even use beans like cannellini or chickpeas for protein.
- Low-Carb: If you’re watching your carbs, swap out the potatoes for cauliflower florets. The texture won’t be the same as potatoes, but it’ll still soak up the delicious broth.
- Spicy Zuppa Toscana: Add more heat by tossing in a diced jalapeño or extra red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic and onions. You can also use spicy Italian sausage for a bolder kick.
- Cheese Lovers: Some people like to top this soup with shredded Parmesan or Pecorino Romano to give it a salty finish. You can also stir in some grated cheese during the last simmer for an extra creamy texture.
Final Words
This homemade version of Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana Soup is everything you could want in a dish: rich, creamy, savory, and oh-so-comforting. With the perfect blend of sausage, kale, bacon, and potatoes, it’s the kind of soup that brings everyone to the table. Whether you’re making it for a cozy dinner, a family meal, or a crowd, you can’t go wrong.
The best part? It’s super customizable! So, don’t be afraid to adjust the recipe to fit your dietary preferences or tweak the seasonings to suit your taste. Making soup at home means you get to control every detail.
FAQs
What Are The Main Ingredients In Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup With Kale?
The main ingredients include Italian sausage, bacon, potatoes, kale, garlic, onion, chicken broth, heavy cream, and a variety of seasonings like red pepper flakes and salt.
Can I Make Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Without Heavy Cream?
Yes, you can substitute heavy cream with milk or a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk or almond milk for a lighter or dairy-free version of the soup.
How Can I Make Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Spicier?
To make the soup spicier, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes, add fresh jalapeños, or use a hot Italian sausage instead of mild sausage.
Can I Substitute The Kale In Zuppa Toscana Soup With Another Vegetable?
Yes, you can substitute kale with spinach, collard greens, or Swiss chard. However, kale is preferred for its texture and ability to hold up well in soups.
Is Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup With Kale Gluten-free?
The original recipe is not gluten-free because it typically contains ingredients like broth or sausage that may contain gluten. You can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free sausage and ensuring the broth is gluten-free.
Can I Make Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup In A Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can make this soup in a slow cooker. Brown the sausage and bacon first, then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
How Long Does Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Last In The Fridge?
The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container for optimal freshness.
Can I Freeze Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup?
Yes, you can freeze Zuppa Toscana Soup. However, the cream may separate upon reheating, so it’s best to freeze the soup without the cream and add it later when reheating.
What Type Of Sausage Should I Use For Zuppa Toscana Soup?
The best type of sausage for Zuppa Toscana Soup is Italian sausage, typically mild or spicy based on preference. Ground sausage is preferred, but you can also use bulk sausage from casings.
Can I Add More Vegetables To Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup?
Yes, you can add more vegetables like carrots, celery, or zucchini to the soup. However, the classic recipe focuses on potatoes and kale as the primary vegetables.