Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe - Better Than The Restaurant Version

Looking for an easy, delicious, comforting meal that's bursting with flavor? Look no further than this Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe—it's even better than the restaurant version! This delicious soup is incredibly simple to make, making it perfect for those cool fall nights when you want something hearty and satisfying. Packed with savory sausage, tender potatoes, fresh kale, and topped with crispy bacon, each spoonful is a cozy bite you'll want to enjoy all season long.

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe - Better Than The Restaurant VersionPhoto byThe Chunky Chef

ProTips:

1. You can use spicy or mild sausage. If you like things with a bit of a kick, then use spicy sausage. Use a quality sausage; it will add great flavor and depth to your soup!
2. Short on time, wash your potatoes well and keep the skins on; it will add extra fiber and vitamins to your soup! Not to mention, it creates a wonderful rustic look! I love to use red-skinned potatoes, and I always keep the peels on. Yukon golds are also wonderful for this soup; they hold their shape well while becoming tender and creamy. You can also use russet potatoes for a slightly different texture.
3. Fresh kale is the best. I like to use curly kale or lacinato. Just remove the tough stems and cut or tear them into bite-sized pieces. If you can't find or don't like kale, use spinach.
4. Bacon makes it better! Cook the bacon until it's extra crispy, then crumble it into bite size pieces. It has a wonderful crunch on top and a salty, smoky flavor that complements the soup's richness.
5. For a lighter version, you can substitute some of the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk.
6. Season to Taste! Don’t forget to taste and adjust the seasoning before serving. A sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese on top will enhance the savory flavors.
7. This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. Make it ahead of time, and simply reheat it when ready to serve. If the soup thickens too much in the fridge, add a splash of chicken broth when reheating.
8. This soup is more of a broth consistency, not thick, but if you like your soup a bit thicker, increase your cornstarch or flour and thicken to your desired consistency.

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe - Better Than The Restaurant VersionPhoto byThe Chunky Chef

Prep Time: 10 mins.; Cook Time: 30 mins.; Total Time: 40 mins.; Serves: 8

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds of ground Italian sausage (your choice, sweet or spicy)
• 12 slices of bacon, crumbled
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves of minced garlic
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 48 oz. chicken stock
• 6 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 bunch of kale, stem removed and torn into small pieces
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes.
• Serve with fresh parmesan cheese.

Directions:

• Use a heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add your sausage to your soup pot over medium heat, and cook until done. Ensure the sausage reaches a golden brown color, then take it out of the pan and thoroughly drain it onto paper towels.
• Next, add your bacon to the same pan and cook until crisp and easily crumbled.
• Remove the majority of the grease (reserving 1–2 tablespoons in your pan). Toss in your diced onion and cook until tender, then add in your garlic and cook until fragrant (around a minute or two).
• Take your corn starch and sprinkle it over your cooked onions and garlic. Stir to combine.
• Slowly pour in your chicken broth, stirring as you add.
• Next, add your diced potatoes and bring your soup to a boil.
• On a low simmer, cook your potatoes until just about fork-tender. Add in your crumbled sausage and three quarters of bacon, along with the bite-sized pieces of kale and heavy cream. Allow to simmer for an additional 10–15 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, and serve. Add a sprinkle of crumbled bacon on top, along with some Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy, Friends! ❤️

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe - Better Than The Restaurant VersionPhoto byThe Chunky Chef

References Adapted By:

Tiffany. (2021, October 11). Easy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup. Creme De La Crumb. https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/easy-olive-garden-zuppa-toscana-soup/

Brenda. (2019, May 27). Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe, Whats Cooking America. What’s Cooking America. https://whatscookingamerica.net/soup/zuppatoscana-soup.htm

Simple zuppa Toscana. (2022, February 12). https://gatherednutrition.com/simple-zuppa-toscana/

Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe: A cozy and comforting Italian classi. (n.d.). The Kitchen Wife. https://www.thekitchenwife.net/2018/09/zuppa-toscana-soup-recipe.html