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Hearty Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe)
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

The best Olive Garden copycat soup recipe. Homemade ground
meat with vegetables, bacon, and potatoes cooked together to make a delicious
Zuppa Toscana soup!

Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: italian soup, Sausage Kale Soup, zuppa toscana
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 323 kcal
Author: Marina | Let the Baking Begin
Ingredients
Ingredients
  • 5 qt water or meat broth
  • 5 Yukon Gold Potatoes medium size, sliced 1/8 inches thick (peeling potatoes is optional)
  • 1 medium onion peeled, diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots optional
  • 3/4 cup bell pepper diced
  • 8 thin or 5 thick strips bacon chopped
  • 1-2 lbs Italian Sausage or ground meat of choice chicken thigh, turkey or pork + 1 tsp of Italian seasoning
  • 1-2 cups heavy cream
  • 4-5 cups kale rinsed, stems removed, chopped
  • 1– 1 1/2 tbsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp black peppercorns freshly ground (to taste)
  • 3 cloves garlic pressed/chopped
  • Olive Oil - for sauteing
  • 1/2 cup chopped green scallions
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
Instructions
  1. Cut bacon to 1/3 inch pieces and render fat in a skillet set over medium heat until crispy. Tilt skillet to the side and let fat drip to the bottom while collecting bacon at the top. Remove bacon from skillet and discard the fat (discarding fat is optional and is only done to make the soup a little more healthy).

  2. If not using the already pre-mixed Italian sausage, mix the ground meat with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, Italian seasoning and pressed garlic until combined.

  3. Add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to a skillet and saute diced onions over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add bell peppers, saute until slightly golden, another 3-4 minutes. Add shredded carrots, saute for 3-4 minutes, then add ground sausage and brown it while breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon.

  4. Add 4 quarts of water or meat stock to a large pot and set over high heat. Add thoroughly scrubbed and then sliced potatoes to the pot and allow to come to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. Add the browned sausage mixture & bacon, then let cook until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork fork, about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Once the potatoes are soft, add heavy cream and bring to a boil. Remove the pot from heat. Add chopped kale & green scallions. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Let soup sit and mend all the flavors for 20-30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Hearty Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 323 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Cholesterol 65mg22%
Sodium 1871mg81%
Potassium 601mg17%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 3595IU72%
Vitamin C 49.5mg60%
Calcium 93mg9%
Iron 3.3mg18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.