Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe Made Simple

Hearty olive garden zuppa toscana soup brings warmth to chilly evenings with its robust flavors.

Italian countryside traditions shine through each spoonful of this comforting dish.

Creamy potatoes and spicy sausage dance together in a rich broth that feels like a culinary embrace.

Kale adds a vibrant green touch, making the soup both nutritious and delicious.

Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant favorite with simple ingredients.

Crisp bacon crumbles provide an irresistible crunch that elevates every bite.

The magic of this recipe lies in its straightforward preparation and incredible taste.

Grab your ladle and prepare to experience a slice of Italian comfort right in your kitchen.

Method to Make a Cozy Bowl of Zuppa Toscana

Step 1: Brown Sausage Spectacular

Toss Italian sausage into a large pot, cooking over medium heat. Gently break the meat into delightful crumbles, letting it sizzle and transform into golden-brown perfection. Once fully cooked, move the sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to catch excess grease.

Step 2: Bacon Bliss

In the same pot, transform bacon into crispy delights. Cook until each piece reaches a satisfying crunch. Scoop out the bacon with a slotted spoon, setting it aside while keeping about 1-2 tablespoons of magical bacon fat in the pot.

Step 3: Onion and Garlic Dance

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Let them waltz in the bacon fat, releasing their aromatic magic and creating a flavor foundation that will make taste buds sing.

Step 4: Potato Power

Add sliced potatoes to the pot, letting them mingle with the onion and garlic mixture. Stir gently to coat and begin softening.

Step 5: Liquid Gold

• Chicken broth
• Water

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat. Allow potatoes to become tender and dreamy.

Step 6: Creamy Transformation

Stir in heavy cream, creating a luxurious, velvety texture that transforms the soup into pure comfort.

Step 7: Final Flavor Fusion

Reintroduce the crispy bacon and cooked sausage to the pot. Sprinkle in chopped kale, letting it wilt and add a pop of color and nutrition.

Step 8: Season and Serve

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, ready to transport diners to a cozy Italian kitchen.

Tips to Balance Flavor and Texture in This Soup

• Choose Fresh Sausage: Select high-quality Italian sausage with robust flavor for the most authentic taste, preferably mild or spicy depending on your preference.
• Control Bacon Crispiness: Cook bacon slowly to achieve perfect crunchiness without burning, which adds a smoky depth to the soup's base flavor.
• Drain Excess Grease: Remove extra fat from sausage and bacon to prevent the soup from becoming overly greasy and maintain a balanced, clean taste.
• Layer Flavors Strategically: Cook meats in the same pot to build rich, interconnected flavor profiles that enhance the overall soup complexity.
• Customize Spice Level: Adjust the heat by choosing spicy Italian sausage or adding red pepper flakes for those who enjoy a more intense flavor experience.

Storing Zuppa Toscana for Later Enjoyment

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing potatoes as they can become mushy when thawed.
• Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming and reaching 165°F internal temperature.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Stop when soup is hot and bubbling.

Appetizers or Bread to Serve with Zuppa Toscana

• Pair this hearty soup with a warm, crusty Italian bread to soak up the rich, flavorful broth and add a delightful textural contrast.
• Select a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the soup's richness and refresh the palate with its light, acidic notes.
• Serve a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's heavy flavors and provide a fresh, zesty counterpoint.
• Top toasted bread slices with garlic and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the Italian-inspired flavors of the Zuppa Toscana.

Fun Variations You Can Stir Into the Pot

• Vegetarian Veggie Delight: Replace Italian sausage with plant-based crumbles or chopped mushrooms, and use smoked tofu bacon for a meat-free protein boost.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Version: Ensure sausage is gluten-free certified, and use cornstarch instead of flour for any thickening needs to make the soup celiac-safe.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets, use extra fatty sausage, and add more cream to increase the fat content for keto dieters.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk, and use dairy-free bacon alternatives to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.

Features That Define Zuppa Toscana’s Flavor

• Recreate the beloved Olive Garden classic with simple ingredients, saving money and enjoying a restaurant-style dish from your own stove.
• Easily adjust spice levels, swap ingredients, or make it lighter by using turkey sausage, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Minimal cleanup with everything cooked in a single pot, reducing dish washing and making this recipe a stress-free cooking experience for home chefs.

Ingredients to Recreate Olive Garden’s Favorite Soup

• Italian Sausage: Rich, spicy meat that adds hearty flavor and texture to the soup.
• Bacon: Crispy meat that provides smoky depth and extra savory notes.

• Onion: Aromatic base that builds foundational flavor for the soup.
• Garlic: Sharp, pungent seasoning that enhances overall taste profile.
• Potatoes: Starchy vegetable that makes the soup filling and provides creamy texture.
• Kale: Dark leafy green that adds nutrition and a slightly peppery taste.

• Chicken Broth: Lightweight, flavorful liquid that creates the soup's foundation.
• Heavy Cream: Rich dairy that gives soup a luxurious, smooth consistency.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and highlights other flavors.
• Black Pepper: Warm spice that adds subtle heat and complexity.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy element for those who enjoy extra kick.

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana soup brings hearty Italian comfort from Tuscany’s rustic kitchens to your dinner table. Creamy potatoes, spicy sausage, and crisp kale create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave all season long.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 4 slices bacon, diced

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced or diced
• 2 cups kale, stems removed and leaves chopped

Liquids, Seasonings, and Garnish:

• 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (237 ml) heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

1. Brown the Italian sausage in a spacious pot, methodically fragmenting the meat into fine, uniform crumbles until thoroughly cooked and golden.
2. Transfer the rendered sausage to a paper towel-lined plate, allowing excess grease to absorb, preserving the meat’s robust texture.
3. Utilize the identical pot and maintain the residual flavorful oils, then crisp the bacon until achieving a deep, rich mahogany coloration.
4. Extract the bacon fragments using a perforated utensil, strategically retaining approximately two tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat within the cooking vessel.
5. The reserved bacon and sausage will serve as critical flavor foundations for the impending soup, concentrating the preliminary aromatic elements of this Tuscan-inspired culinary creation.

Notes

• Swap out pork sausage for turkey or chicken sausage to create a leaner version of this classic soup that still packs incredible flavor.
• Consider removing bacon for a vegetarian adaptation by replacing it with smoked paprika or liquid smoke to maintain that rich, smoky depth.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and selecting lower-salt bacon varieties, which helps control overall salt content without compromising taste.
• Prepare soup in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, knowing flavors will continue to develop and intensify overnight, making leftovers potentially even more delicious than the first serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 920 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg