Love this copycat recipe for Olive Garden’s  Zuppa Toscana Soup – tastes exactly like the real thing!
Zuppa Toscana Soup
Many years ago, my little brother found a recipe for Zuppa Toscana soup from Olive Garden. This soup is a family favorite whenever we visit Olive Garden and is something we all look forward to. After a few tweaks I think this soup tastes just like the real thing.
My older sister sends me a box of organic produce once a month. Last week it arrived and had a gorgeous bunch of kale in it and I knew just what to make. This is the perfect meal for a cool fall or winter day – sure to warm up your belly!
Directions:Â
Crumble the sausage onto a baking sheet. Bake the sausage in the oven at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes or until no longer pink. Place on paper towels to drain.
Cook the bacon and crumble into small pieces. I baked my bacon. Slice the potatoes between 1/8″ and 1/4″. I used the thick setting on my mandoline. Just make the slices about the same size so they cook evenly. Dice up the onion and mince the garlic. Throw the potatoes, onion, garlic, chicken broth, and water into a large pot on medium heat until the potatoes are cooked through.
Prepare the kale by chopping into bite sized pieces. Kale is wonderful for soups because it holds up to the heat so well. It’s also delicious! Add the sausage, bacon, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian Sausage spicy if you prefer more heat
- 5-7 slices of bacon
- 5 medium russet potatoes
- 2 cups kale chopped
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 qt water
- 28 oz chicken broth
- ½ large onion
- 2-3 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Crumble the sausage onto a baking sheet. Bake the sausage in the oven at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes or until no longer pink. Place on paper towels to drain.
- Cook the bacon and crumble into small pieces. I baked my bacon. Slice the potatoes between ⅛ inch and ¼ inch thick. I used the thick setting on my mandolin. Just make the slices about the same size so they cook evenly. Dice up the onion and mince the garlic. Throw the potatoes, onion, garlic, chicken broth, and water into a large pot on medium heat until the potatoes are cooked through.
- Prepare the kale by chopping into bite sized pieces. Kale is wonderful for soups because it holds up to the heat so well. It’s also delicious!
- Add the sausage, bacon, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- During this time the potatoes will start breaking apart into smaller bite sized pieces because they are so tender. Turn the heat to low and add in the kale and heavy cream. Let the soup heat through and serve. We like to serve this soup with some grated Parmesan cheese on top. Delicious!
Nutrition
 More dinners to love:
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Mindie Hilton says
I had to check this out. I worked at the Olive Garden when in college. Your soup does look very much like the OGs. Sounds really good too 🙂
Beth (www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com) says
ooooh! That looks delicious! Thanks for sharing it & for linking up at TGIF!
Beth =-)
Michaela says
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! I’ve added it to me “to be tried” bookmark folder!
Marilyn says
THIS IS awesome. LOVE IT..looks really YUMMY… I would LOVE for you to please share it at my Pin’Inspirational Party please.. ;)) http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/11/pininspirational-thursdays-linky-party_09.html
Kirsten @ Mushki Loves says
Thank you for sharing this! I am pinning it. I would love it if you stopped by my blog and linked this yumminess up!
http://www.mushkiloves.com
Have a great day!
Kirsten
ReMadeSimple Kristina says
Oh my; that looks so delicious! We are having a soup party at our home this weekend maybe I will try this for my soup! I found you on Someday Crafts Link Party! Happy Blogging
Lovely Light says
Hi there- found you through the hop and am a new follower. I hope you have time to follow my life in South Africa by http://withoutcomplexities.blogspot.com
I hope you are having a great week!
Trish @MomOnTimeout says
I’m so glad you’re all going to give it a try. It really is amazing – sooo delicious!
Comeca Jones says
This is one of my favs so you have to know that I will be trying it very soon! I also love the tiramisu .
Maria says
Wow! I’m definitely going to bookmark this, because we love this soup too! Thanks for posting the recipe, I’ll have to try it out soon, looks great!
Jamie says
Mmmm! sounds yummy. Hope you stop by DIY Home Sweet Home and link up to More the Merrier Monday.
P.S. I’m having a little giveaway. Would love you to enter.
Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/
Stephanie says
This looks delicious! I love that soup at Olive Garden so I will definitely have to try this at home!
Stephanie
chocolatecoveredbuttons.blogspot.com
Tonia @ TheGunnySack.com says
YUM!! This is one of my favorite soups! Thanks for the recipe!
megan {homemade ginger} says
this looks amazing!!!
Shelley says
I am pinning your recipe right now 🙂 LOVE this soup and can’t wait to make some. Thanks so much for visiting me and your sweet comment!
Dri says
My husband absolutely loves this! Thank you for making this soup better than Olive Garden!