BEST Copycat Zuppa Toscana Recipe

I always love how this copycat zuppa toscana brings together robust Italian sausage, crispy bacon, and perfectly sliced potatoes for an explosion of texture and flavor. The creamy broth with tender kale adds a touch of soul. It’s my secret gem when I need a hearty, comforting weeknight meal.

I always get excited when I make a homemade version of the Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup. This copycat recipe is loaded with flavor and is actually healthier than you might think.

I use 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled, with 4 to 6 russet potatoes thinly sliced to keep the broth silky and filling. The diced yellow onion and minced garlic really form the base of the flavor while chopped bacon adds a savory crunch.

I pour in 4 cups chicken broth and stir in 1 cup heavy cream to create an ultra creamy texture. I mix in a chopped bunch of kale for vitamins and fiber along with just a pinch of red pepper flakes for a slight kick.

Even though it has some high calorie elements from the cream and bacon, the vitamins from the kale and nutrients from the garlic and onions balance it out pretty well. Enjoy your weeknight meal!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it gives me that perfect mix of comfort and a little kick that keeps things exciting. For one, I really enjoy how the creamy broth comes together; it’s rich and smooth and makes every spoonful feel like a warm hug on a cold day. Secondly, the spicy Italian sausage adds such a bold flavor that blends amazing with the potatoes and kale, and it gives the soup an edge without being overwhelming. Another thing is the bacon—I love how its smoky crunch contrasts with the silky creaminess of the broth and every bite feels different. Lastly I like that it’s simple enough to tweak; I can add more red pepper flakes or adjust the seasonings to suit my mood, which makes it feel like my own special creation every time I make it.

Ingredients

• Spicy Italian sausage: Provides protein and hearty flavor, gives smoky heat boost to the dish.
• Russet potatoes: Rich in carbohydrates, deliver a soft texture and absorb delicious seasonings effortlessly.
• Kale: A fiber-packed green that’s loaded with vitamins, balancing out the meal’s richness.
• Bacon: Adds smoky saltiness and crunch; a flavorful twist that amps up the savory notes.
• Yellow onion and garlic: Provide natural sweetness and robust aroma that elevate overall flavor.
• Chicken broth & heavy cream: Enrich the soup, making it smooth, hearty, and creamy.
• Red pepper flakes: Offer a spicy kick that livens up every spoonful of the soup.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
• 4 to 6 russet potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 to 6 slices of bacon, chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 bunch kale, chopped (stems removed)
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional but adds nice kick)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make this

1. In a large soup pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until it’s nice and crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pot.

2. Add the crumbled Italian sausage to the pot and cook until it starts to brown, making sure to break it up as it cooks.

3. Toss in the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. Stir and let them cook in the sausage drippings until the onions go soft.

4. Add the thinly sliced russet potatoes to the pot along with the chicken broth. Stir everything together and bring it to a boil.

5. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer so the potatoes can cook through. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes.

6. Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.

7. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring slowly to create that ultra creamy broth, and let it heat through – do not let it boil too hard.

8. Now add your chopped kale (remember to remove the tough stems) into the pot, stirring it in until it wilts, about 3 to 5 minutes.

9. Mix the crispy bacon back into the soup to add that extra smoky flavor.

10. Give the soup a final stir, taste for seasoning, and adjust if needed. Serve it hot and enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. A large soup pot to cook your bacon, sausage, veggies, and potatoes
2. A stove top to heat the pot and simmer all the ingredients
3. A slotted spoon to remove the crispy bacon from the pot
4. A chef’s knife to dice the onions, mince the garlic, and chop the kale
5. A cutting board for prepping all your vegetables and meats
6. Measuring cups and spoons to get the right amounts of chicken broth, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes
7. A stirring spoon to mix in the ingredients evenly
8. A ladle for serving up the hot soup into bowls

FAQ

BEST Copycat Zuppa Toscana Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• For the spicy Italian sausage, you could use ground pork or ground turkey mixed with Italian seasoning if you wanna switch things up
• If you cant find russet potatoes, try using Yukon Gold or red potatoes as they hold up pretty well in the soup
• Instead of heavy cream, you might use half and half or even a mix of whole milk with a little butter to get that creamy texture
• Bacon can be swapped for pancetta or smoked turkey bacon if you’re looking to lower the fat a bit
• If kale isn’t your thing, spinach or Swiss chard make a good substitute for a slightly different flavor and texture

Pro Tips

1. Make sure to slice your potatoes really thin so that they cook evenly; if they are too thick they wont get as soft and might ruin the soup’s texture.

2. When you’re cookin the bacon, leave that grease in the pot cuz it gives a lot of flavor to the sausage and veggies later on, but dont forget to remove any big chunks of fat so it doesnt get too greasy.

3. Add the heavy cream slowly and keep the soup at a low simmer, not a boil, to prevent it from curdling; this keeps the broth super creamy and smooth.

4. Toss the kale in towards the end just long enough to wilt it well but not too long or it may turn mushy and lose its flavor.