Description
Make a rich and creamy Zuppa Toscana soup at home, similar to the restaurant favorite, featuring Italian sausage, potatoes, and kale in a savory broth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups chopped kale, stems removed
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
- Add the Italian sausage to the pot. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain off excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and water. Add the sliced potatoes, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the heavy cream and return the soup to a gentle simmer. Do not boil after adding the cream.
- Add the chopped kale and cook until wilted, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Taste the soup and add salt as needed.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with the reserved crispy bacon pieces.
Notes
- For a slow cooker version, brown the sausage and bacon first, then combine all ingredients except the cream and kale in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the cream and kale during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Use kale that has the tough center ribs removed for better texture.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, mash a few of the cooked potatoes against the side of the pot before adding the cream.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
- Cholesterol: 95