Cozy Homemade Olive Garden Copycat Soup Recipe You’ll Adore

Ever wonder how to recreate that magical olive garden copycat soup at home?

Cozy kitchens buzz with anticipation when hearty aromas start swirling.

Comfort arrives through carefully blended ingredients that whisper restaurant-quality secrets.

Warm bowls promise delightful moments of culinary nostalgia for anyone missing their favorite restaurant experience.

Rich flavors dance between familiar and extraordinary, inviting passionate home cooks to experiment.

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade that feels both familiar and exciting.

You’ll want to gather ingredients and start cooking right now.

Helpful Tips For Olive Garden Copycat Soup Recipe

• Sauté Sausage Perfectly: Brown the Italian sausage thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavors that will enhance the entire soup's taste profile.
• Manage Potato Texture: Cut potatoes into uniform slices to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Control Cream Addition: Add heavy cream at the end of cooking to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, silky texture in the soup.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal heat preference, starting with a small amount and increasing gradually for desired warmth.
• Boost Vegetarian Option: Replace Italian sausage with plant-based sausage or additional vegetables like mushrooms to create a delicious meat-free version of the soup.

How To Store Olive Garden Copycat Soup Recipe Properly

• Seal the soup in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Cooling completely before refrigerating helps maintain the best flavor and texture.
• When reheating, pour the soup into a pot and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
• Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick after storing.
• Avoid freezing this soup because the cream and potatoes can separate and become grainy when thawed.
• If you want to make ahead, prepare the soup without the cream and kale, then add those ingredients fresh when ready to serve for the best quality and taste.

Best Matches For Olive Garden Copycat Soup Recipe

• Pair with Crusty Garlic Bread: Slice a fresh baguette, brush with garlic butter, and toast until golden. The crispy bread perfectly soaks up the rich, creamy soup and complements its hearty flavors.
• Match with Crisp White Wine: Select a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the soup's richness. The wine's acidity balances the creamy texture and spicy sausage, creating a delightful dining experience.
• Serve with Zesty Side Salad: Toss mixed greens with a light vinaigrette, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber. The fresh, tangy salad provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, creamy soup, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Complete with Citrus Sparkling Water: Add a splash of lemon or lime to sparkling water. The bright, effervescent drink helps cleanse the palate and lightens the soup's rich, hearty profile.

Fun Ways To Change Olive Garden Copycat Soup Recipe

• Vegetarian Comfort Bowl: Swap Italian sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted mushrooms for a hearty meatless version. Add extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach for nutritional boost.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Replace kale with chopped Swiss chard and add roasted corn kernels. Incorporate chipotle pepper and cumin for a bold, smoky flavor profile that packs heat.
• Creamy Seafood Edition: Substitute sausage with cooked shrimp or white fish chunks. Use seafood stock instead of chicken broth and sprinkle fresh dill for an oceanic twist.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Include fresh rosemary and thyme during sauteing. Stir in crumbled feta cheese at the end and garnish with kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired rendition.

Olive Garden Copycat Soup Recipe FAQ Guide

FAQs for Olive Garden Copycat Soup:

• Why is kale used in this soup?

Kale adds incredible nutrition, a slightly peppery flavor, and beautiful green color to the soup. It’s packed with vitamins and provides a hearty texture that complements the sausage perfectly.

• Can I make this soup spicier?

Absolutely! Increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to boost the heat level. You can also use spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick of flavor.

• Is this soup good for meal prep?

Yes! This soup reheats wonderfully and tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat when ready to enjoy.

• What makes this soup similar to Olive Garden's version?

The combination of Italian sausage, potatoes, kale, and creamy broth closely mimics the restaurant’s famous Zuppa Toscana, capturing that same comforting and rich flavor profile that makes the original so popular.

Why Olive Garden Copycat Soup Recipe Feels Like The Real Thing

• Whip Up Restaurant-Quality Comfort: This Olive Garden copycat soup brings gourmet restaurant flavors directly to your kitchen with minimal professional cooking skills required.
• Speedily Satisfy Hunger: The entire recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect quick weeknight meal that doesn't compromise on taste or richness.
• Customize Your Comfort Bowl: Easily adaptable for different dietary preferences by swapping sausage for plant-based alternatives or adjusting spice levels to suit individual palates.
• Warm Family Gathering Star: Hearty and filling, this soup creates an instant cozy atmosphere that draws family members together around the dinner table, encouraging shared moments and conversations.

Ingredients List For Olive Garden Copycat Soup Recipe

• Italian Sausage: Hearty meat that adds rich flavor and substance to the soup, choose a spicy version for extra kick.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid base that provides depth and foundation for the soup's flavor profile.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic foundation that builds complex flavor layers, fresh ingredients preferred for best taste.
• Kale: Nutritious green that adds texture and earthy notes, choose crisp and dark green leaves.
• Potatoes: Starchy vegetable that makes the soup hearty and filling, select firm potatoes that hold shape while cooking.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Cooking fat for sautéing ingredients, butter adds richness while olive oil provides subtle flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, smooth texture and adds richness to the soup.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spice element that brings gentle heat.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing and enhancing overall taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional garnish that adds salty, nutty finish.
• Bacon Bits: Optional crispy topping for extra texture and smoky flavor.

How To Make Olive Garden Copycat Soup Recipe

Step 1: Brown The Sausage

Heat butter or olive oil in a large pot over medium flame. Crumble Italian sausage into the pot and cook until it develops a rich golden color. Break the meat into small pieces while cooking. Transfer the browned sausage to a separate plate.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

In the same pot, add diced onions and minced garlic. Cook until the vegetables become soft and release their delightful fragrance, approximately 3 minutes.

Step 3: Create Soup Base

• Chicken broth
• Water

Add sliced potatoes to the liquid. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until potatoes reach a tender consistency, around 15 minutes.

Step 4: Incorporate Sausage And Greens

Return the browned sausage to the pot. Add freshly chopped kale leaves. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.

Step 5: Finish With Creamy Touch

• Heavy cream
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Simmer for 2-3 minutes, ensuring the soup is heated thoroughly and the cream is well incorporated.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Optional garnishes include grated Parmesan cheese or crispy bacon bits for extra flavor and texture.

Olive Garden Copycat Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana brings hearty Italian comfort straight to home kitchens with its rich, creamy blend of spicy sausage and tender potatoes. Warm, satisfying flavors welcome you to a delicious culinary journey through rustic Italian countryside cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)

Liquids:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup heavy cream

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 4 medium russet potatoes, sliced thin
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Cooking Fats:

• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil

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Instructions

1. Warm the butter or olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate temperature, introducing the Italian sausage and thoroughly browning while fragmenting with a culinary tool. Transfer the caramelized meat to a separate dish.
2. Utilize the identical pot to sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3 minutes.
3. Stream chicken broth and water into the aromatic mixture, gently nestling sliced potatoes within the liquid. Allow the contents to gently bubble and simmer until potato pieces become effortlessly pierceable with a fork, around 15 minutes.
4. Reintroduce the previously cooked sausage into the liquid landscape, accompanying it with roughly torn kale leaves. Let the ingredients intermingle and develop flavor profiles for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Enhance the soup’s richness by introducing heavy cream, creating a luxurious texture. Sprinkle red pepper flakes for subtle heat, then calibrate seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
6. Allow the soup to harmonize its flavors through a brief, gentle simmer lasting 2-3 minutes, ensuring complete temperature integration.
7. Ladle the steaming soup into serving vessels, optionally adorning with delicate Parmesan shavings or crisp bacon fragments for textural contrast and visual appeal.

Notes

• Sausage Selection: Choose a high-quality Italian sausage with robust flavor for the best taste profile in this hearty soup.
• Kale Preparation: Wash and chop kale thoroughly, removing tough stems to ensure tender and easy-to-eat greens in every spoonful.
• Cream Consistency: Add heavy cream at the end to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, silky texture throughout the soup.
• Spice Customization: Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal heat preference, starting with a small amount and increasing gradually.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: This soup tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld, making it perfect for meal prep and leftovers.
• Dietary Modifications: Substitute dairy-free cream alternatives for a lactose-free version, or use plant-based sausage for a vegetarian adaptation.
• Potato Tip: Cut potatoes into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg