Zuppa Toscana is a creamy, hearty soup loaded with bacon, sausage, potato and kale. This one pot Zuppa Toscana soup recipe comes together quickly and is so filling and delicious – sure to be a hit with the whole family!
Don’t forget the dinner rolls or crescent rolls to serve alongside this delicious soup!
Zuppa Toscana
Back in November of 2011, I shared the recipe for my favorite soup ever, Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana soup. It went bananas and has since been one of the most popular recipes on my site. It’s a recipe that I make at least once a month and more like once a week during the winter. My whole family loves it and you guys do too!
After numerous requests, I shared a slow cooker Zuppa Toscana recipe in 2014. That version has also been insanely popular and well-loved by my readers.
I am now sharing a one pot version that makes this soup so simple and easy, you’re going to make it more than ever. Instead of baking the bacon and browning the sausage in the oven, everything is done in one pot. I used my new dutch oven that my Dad got me for Christmas! I love how all the drippings from the sausage and bacon add so much flavor to the soup! It’s fantastic!
“Exactly like Olive Garden ( maybe even better) I like my soup soupy so I did add a little more chicken broth! Best ever!”
RHEA
What To Serve With Zuppa Toscana
This creamy soup recipe is warm and comforting on its own or served as a hearty side dish with dinner. We like to eat it with some sort of homemade bread or roll on the side. Here are some of our favorites:
More Comfort Food Favorites
Chilly weather is our favorite time for comfort food just like this Zuppa Toscana recipe. Here are some more delicious recipes to try:
- Mac and Cheese – extra cheesy, and so delicious! 5 star reviews!
- Tuna Casserole – from scratch sauce makes this classic even better than you remember!
- Crockpot Chili – a must make for the weekend!
- Tater Tot Casserole – a great go-to dinner for busy weeknights!
- Chicken Stir Fry with the most delicious sauce!
- Perfect Pot Roast and Gravy
What You’ll Need
You are going to love how easy this creamy Zuppa Toscana recipe is! As always, you can find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Now let’s take a look at what you’ll need to have on hand:
- spicy Italian sausage – you can use mild Italian sausage instead but I do love the flavor of the spicy version.
- bacon – Use good quality bacon for the best results.
- onion – I use a yellow onion for this recipe.
- garlic – you can use the pre-minced garlic to save a little time.
- chicken broth – or chicken stock. I like to use the low-sodium version so I can control the salt.
- russet potatoes – these will need to be thinly sliced. Consider using a mandoline for slicing the potatoes – it creates uniformity which allows the potatoes to cook at the same speed and also reduces prep time.
- crushed red pepper flakes – these are optional. Omit if you are hesitant about the heat level.
- chopped kale – I buy the pre-chopped kale a lot just to save time. You can use spinach instead of kale.
- heavy whipping cream – this gets added just before serving and tuns the savory broth into something rich and creamy. Half and half or whole milk are options to use here.
- Parmesan cheese – I love to grate fresh Parmesan cheese right over the top of the soup just before serving.
How To Make Zuppa Toscana Soup
- Brown sausage in a large pot or dutch oven. Remove and set aside.
- Add bacon to pot and cook until crispy.
- Stir in onion and cook until onion is translucent.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add chicken broth, water, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper if desired.
- Add sliced potatoes and cooked sausage to the pot and bring to a simmer.
- Cook until potatoes are tender.
- Add kale to the soup, and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and let heat through.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with Parmesan cheese on top.
Storage Information
Refrigerator: Let the Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup cool to room temperature and then transfer to an airtight container. Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Let the soup cool completely before transferring to a freezer safe airtight container. Good for up to 3 months.
FAQs
This is probably the most common question I get on this recipe and the answer is yes. If you don’t like kale or it’s not readily available to you, spinach is a great alternative.
A lot of reviewers have stated that the leave the cream out to meet certain dietary requirements. This soup is delicious with or without the cream so that is entirely your preference.
You sure can. Let the soup cool completely before transferring to a freezer safe, airtight container. The soup will be good for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Trish’s Tips and Tricks
- Make sure you have all of your ingredients chopped and measured out beforehand. This is a basic cooking “must-do,” but one that I must remind myself to do on a consistent basis!
- Every cooktop and range is different. If you feel like something may overcook or not cook enough, feel free to change the heat settings or the timing of something and check for the doneness of the ingredients instead. This is especially important in soup.
- Add extra broth or water when the consistency of the soup is too thick for your liking. I like to keep extra water around because I tend to find some soups too salty and strong, so adding some water is a go-to strategy for me. Much of this is personal preference, so taste your soup often to make sure you like it. On the other hand, if you would like to thicken your soup, make a quick slurry by whisking together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of liquid (broth, water, milk) and then whisking into the soup.
- I use a mandoline for slicing the potatoes. It takes about one minute to have them all perfectly and uniformly sliced.
I add a bit of crushed red pepper flakes to the soup as well as a bit of salt and pepper. Totally optional. The soup already has a lot of salt from the bacon and heat from the spicy Italian sausage so feel free to omit if you’d like.
I know you’re going to go crazy for this one pot Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup! Less dishes is always a good thing 🙂
More Soup Recipes
- Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
- Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Ham and Cabbage Soup (Instant Pot)
- Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Sausage Kale Soup
How To Make Zuppa Toscana
Zuppa Toscana
Ingredients
- 16 ounces spicy Italian sausage
- 8 slices bacon
- ½ large onion diced
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounces chicken broth low-sodium
- 24 ounces water 3 cups
- 5 russet potatoes medium, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- salt and pepper optional
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Garnish
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown sausage in a large pot or dutch oven. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.16 ounces spicy Italian sausage
- Cut bacon into small pieces. Add bacon to pot and cook until crispy.8 slices bacon
- Stir in chopped onion. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until onion is translucent.½ large onion
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.2 to 3 cloves garlic
- Add chicken broth and water to the pot. Add crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper if desired.28 ounces chicken broth, 24 ounces water, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper
- Add thinly sliced potatoes (I use a mandoline) and the cooked sausage to the pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat.5 russet potatoes
- Continue cooking until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Add the kale to the soup, and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Test for seasoning and season with salt and pepper if needed.4 cups chopped kale
- Stir in the heavy cream and let heat through.1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with Parmesan cheese on top.Parmesan cheese
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published January 22, 2017.
Joe Pratt says
Sounds yummy!
fL lover foodie says
Hi
An awesome soup – but I’ve modified to make a little more protein and less carb friendly. Instead of real bacon, I use pre packaged REAL bacon pieces ( not bits) – easier and less fat, then use a few cans of low sodium and rinsed beans( canneli and kidney) in lieu of potatoes, plus low fat half and half instead of cream. SO yummy! Add lots of red pepper flakes! Really addictive – and healthy!
Steve says
I think it would be better with sweet Italian sausage, but that is a personal preference of mine… Maybe spinach instead of kale… Will try and see…
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Absolutely! Try what you think you would like best, it’s a great starting-off recipe 🙂
Trista says
How big is one serving?! In cups, that is. It says 6 servings, but how big is a serving?
Thank you !
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I didn’t measure it out exactly Trista since we just ladle into bowls but picturing the bowls, I’d say 1 1/2 – 2 cups.
Janell says
Wow, what a hit! This is better tasting than the original. I made it for dinner and to take to work tomorrow. I will be taking extra to share. Love it & will make it often this winter. Thank you for the recipe!
Shannon says
Seriously, THANK YOU!! This recipe was so easy to make and so spot on and one of the best parts of the whole one pot method means less dishes in the end! I will be making this again and again!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh, you are SO welcome! This is one of our favorites as well. A staple in our home 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Becca Reitz says
Trish
Happy to find this Olive Garden this recipe as it’s a Favorite!
When you said you doubled the amount of kale, is the 4 cups already doubled or did you add 8 cups?
Thanks
Becca
Kendra Flood says
I made this yesterday and it was BOMB!!! I had ppl who asked me to bring them some at work and they loved it also….. thank you again it’s what’s for dinner again tonight……i simply adore kale…… yummy yummy
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Wonderful Kendra! It’s one of our favorites!
Danielle? Robinson says
My soup is not thick it’s too watery but I did it in the crockpot is that my mistake ? Please help having it tonight still cooking it
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
This soup isn’t thick. It’s soup – not chowder. It’s thickened slightly at the end with the cream. Also, this isn’t a slow cooker recipe. I have a version of this soup on my site that IS slow cooker. I’d refer to that. Also, double-check your ingredients list.
Martha says
Looks great and I’m cooking it now!
Question: how do you keep from having a bit of a orange tint because of the Italian sausage? I drained it pretty well, but maybe the heavy cream mixture will help. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Sharyn Jenkins says
I’ve made this soup several times and used spinach and eliminated red pepper flakes. It’s a winner.
Heather says
I love this recipe! So easy and delicious!
Can it be frozen?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yay! We love it too Heather. You know, I’ve never had leftovers to freeze, but it certainly should freeze just fine.
Shannon says
My daughter has this for lunch every Monday and I freeze it in two cup portions. Freezes wonderfully!
erin says
Amazing! We are mostly dairy-free in our house so I used cashew milk instead of the whipping cream and I used 1 tsp sweet smoked paprika instead of the pepper flakes! Absolutely delicious and the kids are already asking for it again! 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yay! Love how you made the recipe work for your family!
Shannon says
I use the solid part of canned coconut milk. Doesn’t add coconut flavor with all the other strong flavors.
Stan gazay says
The soup was delicious. I’ll make it again.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad to hear it Stan!
Connee says
This was so flipping easy to make – THANK YOU! The most difficult part of making the recipe is being a hound dog owner – the bacon & Italian sausage smells drove Jameson’s nose crazy. I did it “backwards” – sauteed the onion & garlic in a crock pot first…then added the cooked sausage and bacon (yes, I slipped our hound a little bit!), etc. I also par-boiled the potatoes so they wouldn’t take forever. I hate kale so I substituted spinach. Fridays are my husband’s worst days of the week (payroll) so this soup and a cold beer should make him smile when he arrives home. I am a new subscriber & will be back for more of your inspiring ideas. Great job! God bless.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So, so glad you enjoyed the recipe Connee! I love all your changes – I’ve heard this soup is delicious with spinach!
Darcia Darcy says
Made it JUST as written and it was a SMASH at my dinner party. I wouldn’t change a thing and plan on making it again!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Wonderful! Thanks so much Darcia!