The BEST Zuppa Toscana Soup (Olive Garden Copycat)

If you’re a fan of Olive Garden’s famous Zuppa Toscana, you’ll love this homemade version that brings all the rich, creamy, and savory flavors right to your kitchen. This Zuppa Toscana Soup is packed with Italian sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and fresh kale, all simmered in a luscious, garlicky cream broth. It’s a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for chilly evenings or when you’re craving a bowl of restaurant-quality soup at home.

Zuppa Toscana, which means “Tuscan soup” in Italian, has become a beloved favorite in American households thanks to its popularity at Olive Garden. However, this homemade version is even better because you can customize the ingredients to suit your taste and ensure that every bite is bursting with fresh, flavorful goodness.

This soup is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or a simple green salad. The combination of spicy Italian sausage and crispy bacon adds depth to the broth, while the potatoes and kale create a perfectly balanced texture. Finished with a touch of cream, this soup delivers a velvety richness that makes it truly irresistible.

Making Zuppa Toscana from scratch is surprisingly easy and requires only a handful of simple ingredients. Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder, making cleanup a breeze. Whether you’re serving it to your family or guests, this soup will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Ready to recreate the Olive Garden experience at home? Let’s dive into this easy and delicious Zuppa Toscana recipe that’s sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation.

Servings

Serves: 6-8

Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 35 minutes

• Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage (mild if preferred)

• 4 slices bacon, chopped

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups chicken broth

• 3 large russet potatoes, sliced thin

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 3 cups kale, chopped (stems removed)

• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

1. Chop and Slice: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the potatoes thinly for quick and even cooking.

2. Prepare Kale: Remove the stems from the kale and roughly chop the leaves.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

1. Crisp the Bacon: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.

2. Drain Excess Grease: Remove the bacon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pot.

Step 3: Cook the Sausage and Aromatics

1. Add Sausage: In the same pot, add the Italian sausage. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into crumbles, about 6-8 minutes.

2. Add Onions and Garlic: Add diced onions to the sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4: Simmer the Soup

1. Add Broth and Potatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and add the sliced potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.

2. Cook Until Potatoes are Tender: Simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 5: Add Kale and Cream

1. Add Kale: Stir in the chopped kale and simmer for 3-5 minutes until wilted.

2. Pour in Cream: Add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let the soup heat through for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Season and Garnish

1. Season to Taste: Add salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to taste.

2. Garnish and Serve: Top with crispy bacon and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot.

Tips

• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.

• To add more heat, use hot Italian sausage or increase the crushed red pepper flakes.

• Leftovers taste even better the next day, as the flavors continue to develop.

• Swap spinach for kale if you prefer a milder green.

• Use a mandoline to slice the potatoes evenly for consistent cooking.

Summary

This Zuppa Toscana Soup is the ultimate comfort food, bringing the rich and savory flavors of Olive Garden’s classic right to your kitchen. Packed with spicy sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and fresh kale, this soup is creamy, hearty, and full of bold flavors that your whole family will love.