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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Utilize the same pot to render the bacon until achieving a crisp texture. Remove bacon and preserve approximately two tablespoons of the rendered drippings.
- 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.
- 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.
- Monitor potatoes, allowing them to tenderize for approximately 10-15 minutes, ensuring they reach a perfect soft consistency without disintegrating.
- 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.
- Finalize the soup by streaming heavy cream and sprinkling red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to harmonize the flavor profile.
- 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