A hearty bowl of soup is a dream come true on a rainy day or cold winter night. Zuppa Toscana is one of my favorites because I always have the ingredients in my kitchen. When you don’t think you have time to make dinner, you can totally make this! I love this soup! It truly tastes like it simmered all day — even though it’s ready in less than an hour. You can even make it in the slow cooker for a hands-off dinner your family will beg for again and again. This hearty soup is even light enough for warmer months! I make this whenever there’s a rainy spring day in the forecast. You should also try my Italian Wedding Soup, it’s SO good!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Tips and Tricks
Whether you’re brand new to making suppa toscana or are looking to make it even better, I’ve got a few tips for the best Olive Garden copycat soup ever: Italian sausage: I use spicy Italian sausage to give this creamy soup a little more heat. You can use a mild sausage too if you’d prefer! Chicken stock: A great chicken stock can truly make or break a soup. Make your own from leftover chicken bones, or use a store-bought option. You can use a chicken broth, too, but it will have a slightly different flavor. Potatoes: Russet potatoes are my go-to for this recipe. Make sure they’re all diced the same size for even cooking. If you want to use red or gold potatoes, those could work, too. Kale: One of the healthiest leafy greens, kale brings the perfect peppery bitterness to this soup recipe. If you think kale is too bitter, be sure to wash it thoroughly, massaging the leaves. This helps relax the fibers and make it less bitter. Or use baby spinach leaves instead. Heavy cream: You can’t have a decadent creamy soup without heavy cream! I’ve used half and half before as well, which works, but it’s not as luscious. You can also swap this for coconut milk to keep it dairy-free. Bacon: My favorite pork crunch is in the soup and added on top. When you’re cooking the bacon, be sure to reserve the fat for sautéeing the onions. Feel free to make more bacon if you want extra garnish! Dutch oven: This is a must-have for any big soup recipe! I recommend a 6-quart Dutch oven because it has a sturdy bottom and plenty of room for stirring without overflowing. Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Swap the kale. If you’re not a fan of kale, you can always use baby spinach instead. It gives the same texture with a slightly different flavor.Make it in a Crockpot. If you want an even easier version of this soup recipe, use your slow cooker! Be sure to brown the sausage and bacon first on the stovetop, and still add the cream at the end. It can cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.Thicken your soup. This is a creamy soup, but it’s not as thick as a potato soup. If you want your Zuppa Toscana thicker, add a couple tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with water to the mix. Let it simmer for a few minutes until the broth thickens. It will also continue to thicken as it cools.Use olive oil. I love the crispiness and extra flavor bacon grease adds to the onions. If you’d rather cut a few calories, sauté the onions in olive oil instead! Add more veggies. If you’re looking to make this soup even heartier, add some carrots and celery to the mix! Sauté them with the onions for a chunkier soup recipe.
More Olive Garden Copycat Recipes
I love soup from Olive Garden! There’s something comforting about all their soups, breadsticks, and pasta dishes that I can’t say no. A few years ago, I went on a mission to save money and make some of my favorite Olive Garden meals at home! My first mission had to be those delicious Olive Garden breadsticks because they go with everything. Where there’s breadsticks, there must be soup. If you love the soups of Olive Garden try this Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe. I switched it up and made this recipe in the Instant Pot! If you’re sick of using jarred pasta sauces, try this easy alfredo sauce recipe. Just a few pantry staples between you and this luscious cheese sauce. When you want a classic Italian meal, there’s nothing better than chicken parmesan. I make mine in the pressure cooker for a quick and comforting dinner.
Other Easy Meal Prep Recipes I Love
Chicken Thighs in the Instant PotItalian Wedding SoupCreamy New England Clam ChowderAsian Chicken SaladInstant Pot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini SoupEgg Roll in a Bowl
Now that you’re a pro at making this hearty Zuppa Toscana soup, you’ll always be ready for a cold night or an easy meal prep! Your family will love adding this to the recipe rotation. Make sure to Pin this recipe so more people can enjoy it too!
© Little Sunny Kitchen
