This Zuppa Toscana is a copycat version of the beloved Olive Garden soup! Hearty Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and leafy kale simmered in a creamy broth—it’s a comforting and flavorful soup that’s perfect for a cozy night in. This recipe is easy to follow and delivers all the delicious flavors of the restaurant favorite right in your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Restaurant-Quality at Home: Recreate the Olive Garden experience with this easy-to-follow recipe. You’ll be amazed at how close it tastes to the original!
Comforting and Flavorful: The combination of savory sausage, creamy broth, and hearty vegetables is incredibly satisfying and comforting. It’s a perfect meal for a chilly evening.
Quick and Easy: This soup comes together in about an hour, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner. Plus, it’s a one-pot meal, which means less cleanup!

Ingredients

Italian sausage: Choose mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your preference. Remove the sausage from its casing before cooking.
Olive oil: Used to brown the sausage and sauté the vegetables.
Onion: Finely chopped onion adds a sweet and savory flavor base to the soup.
Garlic cloves: Minced garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor.
Potatoes: Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes, add heartiness and a creamy texture to the soup.
Chicken broth: Low sodium or no-sodium-added chicken broth forms the base of the flavorful soup.
Water: Thins the broth to the desired consistency.
Chicken bouillon cube: Adds extra flavor to the broth.
Salt and pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the soup.
Italian seasoning: A blend of dried herbs that adds a classic Italian flavor.
Kale: Chopped kale adds a nutritious and flavorful element to the soup.
Heavy cream: Creates a rich and creamy broth.
Red pepper flakes: Optional, but adds a touch of heat.
Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese is used as a garnish, adding a salty and nutty flavor.
Fresh parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous flavor as a garnish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Zuppa Toscana

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Remove the sausage from the pot with a slotted spoon and set it aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.

Step 3: Simmer the Potatoes

Add the cubed potatoes to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Season with Italian seasoning, the chicken bouillon cube, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

Step 4: Add the Kale

Stir in the chopped kale and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the kale is wilted and tender.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Return the browned sausage to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream and heat through. If desired, add red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Sausage Choice: Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
Kale Timing: Add the kale towards the end of the cooking process to prevent it from becoming overcooked and mushy.
Lighter Version: For a lighter version of the soup, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
Thicker Soup: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the potatoes before adding the heavy cream.

How to Serve

This Zuppa Toscana is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with:

Crusty Bread: A side of crusty bread is perfect for dipping into the soup and soaking up the flavorful broth.
Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette complements the heartiness of the soup.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Zuppa Toscana in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing

You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze the soup without the potatoes and kale, as they can become mushy when thawed. Add fresh potatoes and kale when reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftover soup gently on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave. If reheating from frozen, thaw the soup completely in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes, you can use other types of sausage, such as chorizo, andouille, or even breakfast sausage. Keep in mind that the flavor of the soup will change depending on the type of sausage you use.

2. Can I add other vegetables?

Absolutely! Spinach, mushrooms, or carrots would all be delicious additions to this soup.

3. Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, you can omit the sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian version. You can also add beans or lentils for extra protein.

4. How can I make this soup spicier?

Add more red pepper flakes, or use a spicier Italian sausage. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the soup for extra heat.

Jaden Christner

Hey everyone! I'm Jaden, and welcome to YummyHere! Basically, I'm obsessed with food. Like, really obsessed. So, I figured, why not share all my yummy creations with the world? Hopefully, you'll find something here that makes you say "Yum!" (because that's the goal, right?). Let's get cooking!

Zuppa Toscana Recipe