Rustic Hearty Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of zuppa toscana, a creamy Italian soup that captures the essence of Olive Garden’s beloved recipe.

Packed with savory sausage and tender potatoes, this hearty zuppa toscana brings warmth to your dinner table.

Crisp kale adds a vibrant green touch to the rich, creamy broth that swirls with robust flavors.

Spicy Italian sausage dances with soft potato chunks, creating a symphony of textures in each spoonful.

Bacon crumbles provide an extra layer of smoky goodness that elevates this classic soup.

Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant-quality dish with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Curl up with a bowl and let this comforting soup transport you to the heart of Tuscany.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 7

Everything You’ll Need for Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat)

• Italian Sausage: Bold and spicy base that delivers hearty flavor, select fresh ground sausage with robust seasoning.
• Bacon: Adds smoky depth and crispy texture, choose thick-cut for maximum crunchiness.

• Onion: Provides sweet foundational flavor, select firm white or yellow varieties for best results.
• Garlic: Introduces aromatic richness, pick fresh cloves with vibrant fragrance.
• Kale: Adds nutritious green element, choose crisp leaves with deep color for maximum freshness.
• Potatoes: Creates creamy body and substance, opt for waxy varieties like Yukon gold that hold shape while cooking.

• Chicken Broth: Creates savory soup foundation, select low-sodium version for better flavor control.
• Water: Helps balance and extend broth volume.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious silky texture, use full-fat version for most indulgent result.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and complexity, adjust quantity based on spice preference.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers sharp, salty finishing touch, select freshly grated for best melting quality.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning agents, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor.

Tools That Make Zuppa Toscana Feel Like a Hug in a Bowl

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking sausage, bacon, and creating the soup base.
• Paper Towels: Perfect for draining crispy bacon and absorbing excess grease.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, potatoes, and kale precisely.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for breaking up sausage and stirring ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving the hot soup into bowls evenly.
• Grater: Used for creating fresh Parmesan cheese topping.

How to Bring Zuppa Toscana to Life in Your Own Kitchen

• Brown the Protein

Sizzle Italian sausage and bacon in a large pot until golden and crispy. Scoop out the meats, leaving behind those delicious drippings.

• Wake Up the Aromatics

Dance some diced onions in the bacon fat until they turn soft and translucent. Toss in minced garlic and let it release itsal fragrance.

• Build the Liquid Foundation

Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping up all those flavor-packed browned bits. Tumble in chunky potato pieces and let them simmer until tender.

• Create the Blend

Welcome back the crispy meats to the pot. Fold in vibrant green kale leaves and let them soften gracefully. Stream in rich cream and sprinkle some heat with red pepper flakes.

• Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming soup into cozy bowls. Optional: Shower with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pair with crusty bread for a comforting meal that hugs your soul.

Simple Tweaks to Make Zuppa Toscana Even Cozier

• Choose spicy Italian sausage for extra kick or mild version for sensitive palates.
• Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining creamy texture.
• Substitute meat with plant-based sausage crumbles and vegetable broth for a complete vegetarian adaptation.
• Prepare soup base one day ahead and add cream and kale just before serving to enhance flavor development and preserve fresh vegetable texture.
• Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for lactose-intolerant friends without compromising rich, satisfying taste.

Serve Up Zuppa Toscana Like You’re Hosting Nonna

• Rustic Italian Dinner Companion: Serve this hearty soup alongside a crisp caesar salad for a complete Italian-inspired meal that feels like a cozy restaurant experience.
• Bread Dipping Delight: Warm garlic breadsticks or a crusty sourdough loaf make perfect companions for soaking up the rich, creamy broth and capturing every delicious drop.
• Comfort Bowl Pairing: Top each serving with extra crispy bacon bits and fresh chopped parsley to add a vibrant crunch and herbal brightness that elevates the soup's robust flavors.
• Wine Lover's Match: Pour a glass of medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Chardonnay to complement the soup's creamy texture and balance its spicy, savory profile.

Save Zuppa Toscana for Rainy Day Comfort

• Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers, keeping in refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool completely before storing to maintain best flavor and texture.
• Pack soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm soup gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems thick. Avoid microwave to prevent cream from separating.
• Store kale and cream separately from base soup if planning to keep longer than 2 days. Add fresh ingredients when ready to serve for optimal taste and texture.

FAQs

• Is Zuppa Toscana spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but you can adjust or omit them based on your spice preference. The soup has a gentle warmth without being overwhelmingly hot.

• Can I use different types of sausage?

Absolutely! While Italian sausage is traditional, you can swap it with spicy sausage, turkey sausage, or even plant-based sausage for a different flavor profile.

• How do I make the soup healthier?

Use lean sausage, turkey bacon, or reduce the bacon amount. Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to lower the fat content. Add extra vegetables like spinach for more nutrition.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The base recipe isn’t gluten-free due to typical sausage ingredients. To make it gluten-free, use certified gluten-free sausage and ensure all broth and ingredients are gluten-free certified.

Hearty Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Succulent Zuppa Toscana soup blends Italian countryside flavors with hearty potatoes and spicy sausage. Creamy broth and crisp kale create a comfort meal that connects diners to rustic Tuscan traditions you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced or cubed
• 2 cups kale, chopped (or substitute with spinach)
• 4 cups (1 liter) chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ tsp 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. Sear Sausage: Cook Italian sausage in a large pot over medium heat, methodically crumbling until thoroughly browned. Transfer to a separate plate.
2. Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in the same pot, reserving two tablespoons of drippings. Remove bacon and set aside.
3. Aromatic Base: Sauté diced onions until translucent, then add minced garlic and briefly toast to release its fragrant oils.
4. Liquid Foundation: Pour chicken broth and water into the pot, deglazing and scraping caramelized bits. Add cubed potatoes, bringing to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
5. Potato Transformation: Simmer potatoes for 10-15 minutes until tender but not falling apart, creating a hearty texture.
6. Protein and Greens Integration: Reintroduce cooked sausage and bacon to the pot. Fold in chopped kale, allowing leaves to wilt and meld with the soup’s robust character.
7. Creamy Finale: Stream heavy cream and sprinkle red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to balance and elevate the flavor profile.
8. Serving Presentation: Ladle the steaming zuppa into bowls, optional Parmesan garnish. Serve alongside crusty bread for an authentic Italian dining experience.

Notes

Control Meat Quality: Select high-quality Italian sausage with balanced fat content for rich, authentic flavor without excess greasiness.

Potato Precision: Cut potatoes uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.

Kale Technique: Add kale towards the end of cooking to maintain its vibrant green color, delicate texture, and prevent nutrient loss during prolonged heating.

Cream Completion: Incorporate heavy cream off direct heat to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, luxurious soup consistency without curdling.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg