Description
Olive Gardens Zuppa Toscana brings hearty Italian comfort to your table with creamy, spicy sausage and tender potatoes swimming in a rich broth. Rustic flavors from Tuscany blend perfectly, creating a satisfying soup that warms souls and delights taste buds in one comforting bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound hot Italian sausage (ground or from links with casings taken off)
- 3 cups Russet potatoes (cut into cubes)
- 2 cups kale (packed loosely, in bite-sized pieces)
Protein and Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 slices bacon (cut into small pieces)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 large yellow onion (chopped)
Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:
- 4 cups chicken broth or stock
- 1 cup heavy cream or 1 can (14 ounces) evaporated milk
- Sea salt or kosher salt (to taste)
- Fresh black pepper (to taste)
- Parmesan cheese (grated, for serving)
Instructions
- Position a large cooking vessel over medium flame. Render bacon until achieving a crisp texture, then introduce crumbled Italian sausage. Brown the meat thoroughly, and carefully drain excess fat, reserving 1-of rendered drippings.
- Relocate the sautéed meat towards the pot’s perimeter, creating a central cooking space. Introduce finely diced yellow onions and caramelize until translucent and softened. Incorporate freshly minced garlic and allow aromatics to release their fragrant essence for approximately 30-45 seconds.
- Stream chicken broth into the pot, followed by cubed russet potatoes cut into bite-sized segments. Season generously with kosher salt (¾ teaspoon or 3.75 grams) and freshly cracked black pepper (¼ teaspoon or 1.25 grams). Reduce heat and allow the liquid to gently simmer for 15-20 minutes, ensuring potatoes become fork-tender.
- Carefully fold chopped kale leaves into the simmering liquid, followed by rich heavy cream or evaporated milk. Return the mixture to a delicate simmer, allowing flavors to meld harmoniously. Taste and recalibrate seasoning as needed. Ladle into warm bowls, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serving alongside rustic crusty bread.
Notes
- Sneak extra flavor by leaving a touch of bacon grease in the pot for sautéing onions, which helps build a rich, deep taste profile.
- Potatoes absorb the savory broth beautifully, creating tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites that make this soup incredibly comforting.
- Break sausage into small crumbles while cooking to ensure even distribution and maximum meaty goodness in every spoonful.
- Kale adds vibrant green color and nutritional punch, transforming this classic soup into a hearty, wholesome meal.
- Finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese to elevate the overall taste and provide a delightful salty crunch.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 576 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1090mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 120mg