Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden Copycat Recipe You Can Make

Hearty zuppa toscana brings warmth to chilly evenings with its rich, comforting layers of flavor.

Italian-inspired soups often tell stories of regional traditions and culinary passion.

One spoonful transports you to rustic kitchens nestled in tuscany’s rolling landscapes.

Creamy potatoes and spicy sausage dance together in a broth that whispers tales of home-cooked meals.

Fragrant herbs and tender kale add depth to this classic comfort dish.

Simple ingredients combine to create something truly magical on your plate.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this soul-satisfying soup.

Cooking Instructions for Creamy Sausage Soup

Step 1: Sizzle The Sausage And Bacon

Grab a large pot and toss in Italian sausage. Break it into delicious crumbles while cooking over medium heat. Once nicely browned, scoop out and set aside.

In the same pot, crisp up chopped bacon until golden. Transfer to a paper towel, keeping about two tablespoons of those amazing bacon drippings.

Step 2: Dance With Vegetables

Toss diced onions into the pot, letting them turn translucent and soft.

Sprinkle in minced garlic and let it release its magical aroma for one minute.

Step 3: Create The Soup Foundation

Pour chicken broth and water into the pot, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom.

Tumble in diced potatoes and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until potatoes become tender.

Step 4: Bring In The Green And Creamy Goodness

Reunite the cooked sausage and bacon back into the pot.

Add chopped kale and let it gently wilt for about five minutes.

Swirl in heavy cream and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to make it sing.

Step 5: Serve With Love

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve alongside crusty bread for an authentic Olive Garden experience.

Tips to Keep Potatoes Tender and Broth Flavorful

• Customize Sausage Selection: Choose mild or spicy Italian sausage based on your heat preference, ensuring a personalized flavor profile that matches your taste buds.
• Maximize Bacon Crispness: Pat bacon dry before cooking to achieve extra crispy texture, and consider using thick-cut bacon for more robust flavor and satisfying crunch.
• Control Cream Consistency: Add heavy cream at the end and avoid boiling to prevent separation, maintaining a smooth and silky soup texture that's rich and appetizing.
• Kale Preparation Trick: Remove tough stems from kale before chopping and add it late in cooking to preserve its bright green color and prevent overcooking, keeping nutrients intact.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets for a lower-carbohydrate version that maintains the soup's hearty character while reducing overall calories.

Keep Zuppa Warm and Flavorful for Later

• Store leftover zuppa toscana in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Warm the soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain creamy consistency. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup appears too thick.
• Transfer a single serving to a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Skip freezing this soup, as cream-based soups tend to separate and lose their smooth texture when thawed, compromising the delicious quality of zuppa toscana.

Perfect Pairings from Crusty Bread to Salad

• Select a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, hearty flavors of the Zuppa Toscana's sausage and bacon.
• Choose a rustic sourdough or herbed focaccia to soak up the creamy broth and provide a delightful textural contrast to the soup's smooth consistency.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the soup's richness and provide a fresh, peppery counterpoint to the hearty dish.
• Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil on top to add a bright, aromatic layer that lifts the soup's deep, savory flavors and provides a visual pop of color.

Twists with Spinach, Kale, or Extra Cream

• Vegetarian Zuppa: Replace Italian sausage and bacon with plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a fully meat-free version.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond cream. Omit Parmesan cheese or use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets or turnips. Reduce cooking time slightly to prevent overcooking the vegetables while maintaining a similar texture.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced green chiles, swap red pepper flakes for jalapeños, and include a sprinkle of cumin for a fiery southwestern-inspired variation that keeps the soup's creamy essence.

Zuppa Toscana Copycat That Rivals the Restaurant

• Perfect Copycat Zuppa Toscana
• Whip up this restaurant-style soup in just 30 minutes with minimal prep work, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution for busy families.
• Combine multiple ingredients in a single pot, reducing kitchen cleanup and maximizing delicious taste with layers of Italian sausage, crispy bacon, and hearty vegetables.
• Easily adjust spice levels with red pepper flakes, swap ingredients based on dietary preferences, and enjoy a versatile soup that suits everyone's taste buds from kids to adults.
• Elevate your dinner party or casual gathering with a restaurant-quality dish that looks and tastes professionally prepared, yet requires minimal culinary expertise.

Ingredient List to Make It Like Olive Garden

• Italian Sausage: Provides rich, hearty flavor and protein base for the soup.
• Bacon: Adds smoky depth and crispy texture to the soup.

• Onion: Builds foundational flavor and aromatic base.
• Garlic: Enhances overall taste profile with sharp, pungent notes.
• Kale: Introduces nutritious green element with slight bitter undertones.
• Potatoes: Offers hearty substance and helps thicken soup naturally.

• Chicken Broth: Creates primary liquid base with savory depth.
• Water: Helps adjust soup consistency and volume.
• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious, silky texture and rich mouthfeel.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for adding subtle heat.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional garnish for extra umami and richness.

Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

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

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Description

Olive Garden’s beloved Zuppa Toscana brings hearty Italian comfort straight to your kitchen with creamy potatoes, spicy sausage, and tender kale. Warm bowls of this rustic soup promise rich flavors that transport diners to Tuscany without leaving home.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 lb (450 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 4 slices bacon, chopped

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced or cubed
• 2 cups kale, chopped (or substitute with spinach)

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 4 cups (1 liter) chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Initiate cooking the Italian sausage in a spacious pot, methodically breaking it into crumbly pieces over medium heat until thoroughly browned. Transfer the sausage to a separate plate.
2. Utilize the same pot to render the bacon until achieving a crisp texture. Remove bacon and preserve approximately two tablespoons of the rendered drippings.
3. Introduce diced onions into the pot, sautéing until they become translucent and develop a soft, glossy appearance. Incorporate minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence for a brief moment.
4. Deglaze the pot by pouring in chicken broth and water, carefully scraping the bottom to incorporate all caramelized flavor fragments. Add cubed potatoes and elevate to a boiling point before reducing to a gentle simmer.
5. Monitor potatoes, allowing them to tenderize for approximately 10-15 minutes, ensuring they reach a perfect soft consistency without disintegrating.
6. Reintroduce the previously cooked sausage and crispy bacon into the simmering liquid. Fold in freshly chopped kale, permitting the leaves to wilt and integrate with the soup’s rich profile.
7. Finalize the soup by streaming heavy cream and sprinkling red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to harmonize the flavor profile.
8. Ladle the steaming zuppa into serving bowls, optionally garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Accompany with rustic bread for an authentic Italian-inspired dining experience.

Notes

• Perfectly brown sausage by ensuring high heat and constant stirring to break into small, even crumbles for maximum flavor development.
• Drain bacon excess fat thoroughly to prevent greasy soup, keeping just enough drippings for rich underlying taste profile.
• Select starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold which hold shape during cooking and provide creamy texture without disintegrating.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes – start with small amounts and gradually increase for personalized spice experience.
• Transform recipe into lighter version by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for reduced calorie content.
• Create vegetarian alternative by replacing meat with plant-based sausage and adding smoked paprika for depth of smoky flavor.
• Enhance soup’s nutrition by incorporating additional vegetables like carrots or celery during initial sautéing stage for extra complexity.
• Ensure kale remains vibrant and retains nutrients by adding near end of cooking process and avoiding prolonged simmering.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 482 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1140 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 94 mg