Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

This recipe captures the creamy, sausage-infused goodness of Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground Italian sausage (spicy or mild, depending on your preference)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 white onion, diced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 4-5 yellow potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 4 cups chopped kale
• Chopped bacon or bacon bits (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Guide:

1. Sauté the Sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat butter over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a plate.

2. Sweat the Vegetables: Add the diced onion to the pot with the remaining butter and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened and translucent.

3. Build the Soup Base: Pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Simmer the Potatoes: Add the chopped potatoes, salt, and pepper to the pot. Increase heat slightly and bring back to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

5. Incorporate the Greens: Stir in the chopped kale and cook for 2-3 minutes, until wilted.

6. Creamy Finish: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the soup back to a simmer. Stir in the cooked sausage.

7. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the Zuppa Toscana into bowls and garnish with chopped bacon or bacon bits and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Tips:

• For a richer flavor, use leftover cooked Italian sausage casings in step 2. Saute them along with the onions for extra smokiness before discarding.
• If you prefer a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to partially puree some of the cooked potatoes after adding the kale.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of milk or broth if needed to thin the consistency.
• Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes to the pot in step 2.

Enjoy your homemade Zuppa Toscana!