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🍲 Soups & stews

Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden copycat)

Creamy, garlicky, sausagey comfort in a bowl

⏱️ Time estimate: about 35 minutes

This cozy copycat soup brings together Italian sausage, Yukon Gold potatoes, kale, cream, garlic, onion, bacon, and chicken stock in one rich, nostalgic pot.

Creamy zuppa toscana with sausage, potatoes, and kale

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage, preferably spicy
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium white onion, diced
  • 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
  • 5 to 6 cups chicken stock
  • 2 to 3 cups chopped fresh kale
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled

Instructions

  1. Brown the sausage. Cook the sausage in a large stockpot over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Transfer to a plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of grease in the pot.
  2. Sauté the aromatics. Add the onion to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  3. Simmer. Add the potatoes, chicken stock, and cooked sausage. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
  4. Finish the soup. Stir in the kale and cream and simmer for 5 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve. Ladle into bowls and top with the crumbled bacon.

Cozy restaurant-memory soup, but easier to tweak at home if you want it spicier, creamier, or extra bacon-y.