Easy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe

Olive Garden’s classic Zuppa Toscana soup recipe brings together hearty Italian sausage, leafy kale, and potatoes in a rich and flavorful broth, offering plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals from healthy veggies as well as rich chicken broth.

Cooking aromatics in rendered turkey bacon or lean beef adds plenty of depth of flavor to the broth, while cutting potatoes into irregular chunks helps them partially melt into it and thicken the soup naturally. Simmering a Parmesan rind in the pot further enhances the savory taste and makes every spoonful extra comforting.

Easy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe

A cozy, one‑pot Zuppa Toscana made with Italian sausage, lean turkey, potatoes, kale, and a rich, creamy broth. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 serving

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb spicy or mild Italian ground sausage
• 8 oz ground turkey or turkey bacon chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter only if needed for sautéing
• 1 medium yellow or white onion diced
• 4 –5 garlic cloves minced
• 6 cups low‑sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 4 –5 medium yellow or russet potatoes cut into 1‑inch pieces
• 1 –1.5 tsp salt or to taste
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes optional, for heat
• 1 –2 cups heavy cream start with 1 cup and add more for extra richness
• 4 –5 cups chopped kale stems removed (or baby spinach)
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Equipment

• Large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot
• cutting board, chef’s knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• wooden spoon or spatula
• ladle
• cheese grater

Method

 

1. Brown the meats
2. In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium‑high heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through.
3. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a plate. In the same pot, add the ground turkey or chopped turkey bacon and cook until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove to the same plate. Spoon off excess fat, leaving about 1–2 tablespoons in the pot (add a drizzle of olive oil or butter if the pot looks dry).
4. Sauté aromatics
5. Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté over medium heat for 4–5 minutes, until soft and translucent.
6. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant, making sure it does not brown.
7. Simmer the potatoes
8. Pour in the chicken broth and water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
9. Add the potato pieces, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
10. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook 10–15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork‑tender.
11. Add meats, kale, and cream
12. Return the cooked sausage and turkey to the pot and stir to combine.
13. Add the chopped kale and simmer for 5–7 minutes, until the greens are wilted and tender.
14. Stir in the heavy cream and let the soup gently simmer (do not boil hard) for 3–5 minutes, until hot and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
15. Serve
16. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and an extra pinch of black pepper or red pepper flakes if desired.
17. Serve with crusty bread or a simple green salad.

Notes

• For a lighter version, use half heavy cream and half half‑and‑half, or swap part of the cream for whole milk.
• You can leave potato skins on for more texture and nutrients, or peel them for a smoother, restaurant‑style soup.
• If using very lean ground turkey, add an extra tablespoon of olive oil for better browning and flavor.

Easy

This homemade Zuppa Toscana recipe makes an easy weeknight dinner that’s sure to please. It is made with turkey bacon or lean ground beef, Italian sausage, potatoes, and kale for maximum flavor, and it comes together quickly with simple, accessible ingredients.

Start by cooking and sautéing Italian sausage in just a few minutes, adding crushed red pepper for extra spice if you like a little heat. Stir in chopped turkey bacon or browned beef until it crisps and renders its flavorful fat, then use a slotted spoon to transfer the meats to a bowl, leaving about one tablespoon of drippings in the pot to sauté the vegetables.

Cut your russet potatoes into uneven chunks with angular edges and tapered points so the smaller pieces cook faster and naturally thicken the soup as they break down. Fresh spinach or kale leaves can be stirred directly into the soup near the end of cooking, where they wilt in just a few minutes and add color, nutrients, and extra heartiness.

Creamy

This Olive Garden‑inspired soup is an indulgent and comforting one‑pot meal packed with Italian sausage, leafy greens, potatoes, and cream, making it the ideal dish to warm you up on a chilly day.

Unlike some lighter versions, this recipe uses a bit of flour as a thickener, which adds body and helps the broth turn silky and luxurious. Chicken broth already provides a creamy mouthfeel, but a small amount of flour plus a splash of heavy cream makes each bowl feel extra rich and satisfying.

Start by cooking and crumbling flavorful Italian sausage (mild or spicy, depending on your taste). Next, sauté onion in the rendered fat from the sausage and turkey bacon or beef drippings to build layers of flavor right from the start. Once the onions and minced garlic are softened and fragrant, add chicken broth, diced potatoes, salt, crushed red pepper, and cream, then bring everything to a gentle boil. Finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a savory, cheesy bite in every spoonful.

Hearty

When you are feeling under the weather or just craving something cozy, nothing beats a bowl of creamy, comforting soup. This homemade version of Olive Garden’s popular Zuppa Toscana features tender potatoes, Italian sausage, turkey bacon or beef, and spinach or kale in an irresistibly flavorful broth.

The hearty base combines chicken broth (use low sodium if you are watching your salt) and heavy cream for richness. A light sprinkle of all‑purpose flour thickens the soup and gives it a more substantial texture, while still keeping it spoonable and soothing.

If you are short on time, this recipe can easily be adapted for the slow cooker: brown the sausage and turkey bacon or beef first, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 5–6 hours. Right before serving, stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese so it melts into the broth and makes the soup taste even more indulgent.

Delicious

This soup is an inviting, comforting take on an Olive Garden classic: Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and leafy kale simmer in a delicious broth with crushed red pepper for a touch of heat and flour to give it a slightly thicker, main‑course feel.

Using turkey bacon or lean ground beef instead of traditional bacon still gives you a savory, meaty depth of flavor while offering a different protein option that many families enjoy. After browning the meat, some of its drippings are used to sauté onions and garlic, layering extra flavor into every bite of this delicious soup.

Packed with vegetables, this Zuppa Toscana provides vitamins from the kale or spinach and potatoes, along with protein from the sausage and turkey bacon or beef. For a slightly lighter twist, you can swap part of the heavy cream with half‑and‑half, use turkey sausage, or add white beans for extra fiber and texture. To finish with an authentic Tuscan touch, top each bowl with freshly shaved Parmesan cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes before serving.

FAQ

Conclusion

In summary, this easy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana recipe delivers everything you want in a cozy soup: tender potatoes, flavorful Italian sausage, hearty greens, and a rich, creamy broth. It comes together quickly with simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.

Serve it with a slice of crusty bread or a simple side salad, and you have a complete, satisfying meal that feels just like your favorite restaurant, but made at home. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal-prepping for the week, this comforting soup is sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation.