Zuppa Toscana
Zuppa Toscana, reminiscent of Olive Garden's classic, is a hearty and flavorful soup. Tender chunks of russet potatoes, crumbled spicy Italian sausage, and vibrant kale swimming in a creamy broth made flavorful with fragrant onions and garlic for depth and dimension. The crowning touch? A generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Servings: 8
Calories: 520kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 4 russet potatoes diced
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large head Kale de-stemmed and chopped
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 Tbs butter salted
- 2 tsps Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Peel and dice potatoes, dice onion, de-stem and chop kale, mince garlic.
- Cook the Sausage: Using a large, heavy bottom pot, brown the crumbled Italian sausage over medium heat. Once cooked, remove the sausage from the pan, leaving any grease in the pot. You only need about a tablespoon, so if there is excess, remove it.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add chopped onion to the pot, as well as salt and pepper and sauté until translucent. Stir in minced garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add Potatoes and Broth: Add the peeled and diced potatoes to the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, and let the potatoes cook until tender. About 20-25 minutes.
- Incorporate Kale Add Sausage Back In: Once the potatoes are cooked, add the sausage back into the pot, then add the chopped kale to the pot. Let it wilt and cook for a few minutes until tender.
- Add Cream and Season: Pour in the heavy cream, and taste the soup, then add more salt and pepper to season the soup to your preference. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Simmer and Serve: Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, to let the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve Topped with Parmesan: Ladle the Zuppa Toscana into bowls and garnish with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
If you can't find Italian sausage, you can use regular ground sausage and simply add 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
Sweet or spicy Italian sausage works well, use what your family would prefer.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1905mg | Potassium: 741mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1638IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 2mg