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Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Bowl of creamy soup with kale, diced potatoes, ground meat, and crispy bacon pieces on top, served with a black spoon.

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup

This rich and comforting Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup layers savory sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and kale in a creamy broth for the ultimate cozy meal.
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Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: Creamy Soup, Italian Soup, kale soup, Zuppa Toscana
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 800kcal
Cost: $15

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bacon cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium sweet onion finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano for seasoning
  • 1 pound mild pork sausage raw, crumbled
  • 1 pound Italian mild pork sausage raw, crumbled
  • 64 oz chicken stock low-sodium recommended
  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt divided, adjust to taste
  • 3 medium red potatoes cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 bunch lacinato kale stems removed, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream for finishing
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for spice

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon pieces in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until crispy, about 7–8 minutes.
    Pan with small, crispy, browned diced bacon pieces cooking in oil.
  • Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and sauté the chopped onion until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of salt and the dried oregano, stirring to combine.
  • Add both types of sausage to the pot along with 2 teaspoons of salt. Break the sausage into smaller pieces and cook on medium-high heat until browned, about 5 minutes.
    Black pot with cooked ground meat and diced red-skinned potatoes mixed together, ready to simmer in the soup.
  • Stir in the diced potatoes, then pour in the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes until potatoes are tender.
    Close-up of the same black pot with soup, showing the orange-red broth bubbling and simmering.
  • Add the chopped kale to the soup and cook for an additional 5 minutes until wilted and tender.
    Black pot filled with simmering soup, containing chopped kale floating on top of a tomato-based broth with grains or lentils.
  • Turn off the heat and gently stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated.
  • Serve the soup in bowls topped with crispy bacon and sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Add the bacon and sausage for deep flavor, and stir in the cream off heat for extra richness. Perfect for cozy nights or serving with crusty bread!

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 800kcal (40%) | Carbohydrates: 28g (9%) | Protein: 33g (66%) | Fat: 61g (94%) | Saturated Fat: 22g (138%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 143mg (48%) | Sodium: 2335mg (102%) | Potassium: 1195mg (34%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 7g (8%) | Vitamin A: 3757IU (75%) | Vitamin C: 42mg (51%) | Calcium: 147mg (15%) | Iron: 4mg (22%)
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