Craving that iconic, comforting soup from Olive Garden? You’re in the right place! This Tuscan Soup Delight Inspired by Olive Garden brings all the rich, creamy, and savory flavors of Zuppa Toscana straight to your kitchen. It’s surprisingly simple to make, yet delivers a gourmet experience with tender potatoes, spicy sausage, and fresh kale in a velvety broth. Get ready to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without leaving your home, whipped up in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Tuscan Soup Delight
This incredible Tuscan Soup Delight is perfect for busy parents and beginners alike. You’ll quickly discover why it’s a new family favorite:
- Classic Restaurant Flavor at Home: Enjoy the beloved Zuppa Toscana taste without the takeout bill or restaurant wait.
- Quick and Simple to Prepare: Our easy-to-follow steps make this comforting soup achievable, even on a busy weeknight.
- Budget-Friendly Alternative: Save money by recreating this popular dish with common, affordable ingredients.
- Hearty, Satisfying, and Comforting Meal: Each spoonful is packed with flavor and texture, making it a truly fulfilling dinner.
- Customizable to Taste and Dietary Needs: Easily adjust spice levels or swap ingredients to suit your family’s preferences.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your very own Tuscan Soup Delight Inspired by Olive Garden. Each component plays a crucial role in building the soup’s delicious layers of flavor.
- 1 pound spicy Italian ground sausage (use mild for kid-friendly)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ white onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 4-5 yellow potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 teaspoons salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 cups chopped kale
Adding fresh kale to this soup doesn’t just provide vibrant color and texture, but also a boost of essential vitamins and antioxidants in kale.
Notes & Substitutions
You have options for customizing your creamy Tuscan Soup. For the sausage, choose spicy Italian ground sausage for a kick, or mild for a gentler, kid-friendly flavor. If you prefer a lighter broth, half-and-half or whole milk can substitute heavy cream, though the soup will be less rich. Fresh curly kale works wonderfully, but Lacinato (dinosaur) kale is also a great option. For potatoes, yellow potatoes hold their shape well, but Russets will also work for a slightly creamier texture. Feel free to adjust seasonings with a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat or a dash of Italian seasoning for more herbal notes.
Equipment
You don’t need fancy tools to make this delightful Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana copycat. Just a few kitchen essentials will do the trick!
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Perfect for browning the sausage and simmering the soup.
- Slotted Spoon: For easily transferring cooked sausage.
- Sharp Knife: To chop the onion, garlic, and potatoes.
- Cutting Board: Essential for safe food preparation.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient amounts.
Instructions
Creating this delicious Tuscan Soup Delight is a breeze with these step-by-step directions. Follow along for a perfect bowl every time.
First, in a large pot, brown the 1 pound of spicy Italian ground sausage over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until fully cooked. Make sure to break it apart as it cooks. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the browned sausage to a plate and set it aside, reserving any rendered fat in the pot.
Next, add the 4 tablespoons of butter to the same pot with the reserved fat. Sauté the diced ½ white onion over medium heat until it becomes translucent and softened, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute until it becomes fragrant.
Now, pour in the 6 cups of chicken broth and 2 cups of water. Add the 4-5 yellow potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces, along with 3 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, typically 10-15 minutes.
Once the potatoes are tender, stir in the 4 cups of chopped kale and the 2 cups of heavy cream. Return the cooked sausage to the pot, distributing it evenly. Let the soup gently heat through for a few minutes, allowing the kale to wilt slightly. Avoid bringing the soup back to a rolling boil after adding the cream.
Finally, taste the Tuscan Soup Delight and add any additional salt or pepper if needed to suit your preference. Serve the soup immediately. Garnish each bowl generously with grated parmesan cheese and/or crispy bacon bits, if desired, for an extra layer of flavor and texture. Enjoy your homemade Zuppa Toscana copycat!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving the perfect bowl of this creamy Tuscan Soup Delight is simple with a few insider tips. Be careful not to overcook the kale; add it near the end and let it wilt for just a few minutes to maintain its vibrant color and texture. Always adjust the spice level to your preference; for more heat, add extra red pepper flakes with the garlic. When browning the sausage, render out the fat then drain any excess to prevent the soup from becoming greasy. Cut your potatoes into uniform 1-inch pieces for consistent cooking and tenderness. To avoid curdling the heavy cream, add it at the very end and avoid bringing the soup back to a rolling boil once it’s incorporated. Taste and salt your soup throughout the cooking process, building flavor layers. For easy meal prep, you can brown the sausage and chop the vegetables ahead of time.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This rich and satisfying Tuscan Soup Delight pairs beautifully with a variety of sides and can be enjoyed in different ways. Serve your warm bowl of Zuppa Toscana alongside crusty Italian bread for dipping, or a light garden salad for a complete meal.
For storage, allow any leftover soup to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, do so gently over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently, to prevent the cream from curdling. Avoid microwaving on high heat. Freezing this soup isn’t ideal because potatoes can become mealy and kale mushy after thawing.
Feel free to customize your Tuscan Soup! You can add other vegetables like diced carrots or zucchini for extra nutrients. For a vegetarian or vegan adaptation, swap Italian sausage for plant-based sausage crumbles, use vegetable broth, and substitute heavy cream with a full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative. Top your soup with freshly grated Parmesan, crispy bacon bits, or even homemade croutons for added crunch and flavor.
Nutrition
Enjoying a hearty bowl of this creamy soup is a delicious experience. Below are approximate nutritional values per serving for your Tuscan Soup Delight.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 833 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Fat | 76 g |
| Saturated Fat | 38 g |
| Trans Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 246 mg |
| Sodium | 3849 mg |
| Potassium | 1084 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Vitamin A | 8563 IU |
| Vitamin C | 110 mg |
| Calcium | 241 mg |
| Iron | 3 mg |
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
FAQ
What is Zuppa Toscana?
Zuppa Toscana literally means “Tuscan soup” in Italian. While traditional versions vary, the Olive Garden-inspired Zuppa Toscana is famous for its creamy broth, spicy Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and fresh kale.
Is Zuppa Toscana healthy?
This soup provides protein, healthy fats, and vitamins from kale and potatoes. You can make it healthier by using turkey sausage, reducing the cream, or adding more vegetables, without losing the essence of the Tuscan Soup Delight.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
You can brown the sausage and chop vegetables a day in advance to save time. For best results, prepare the full Tuscan Soup Delight on the day of serving to maintain the best texture for potatoes and kale.
What kind of potatoes work best?
Yellow potatoes, like Yukon Golds, are ideal because they hold their shape well while still becoming tender. Russet potatoes can also be used for a slightly starchier texture.
Can I use spinach instead of kale?
Yes, spinach can be substituted for kale. Add it at the very end of cooking, as spinach wilts much faster than kale, requiring only a minute or two to soften.
Conclusion
Bringing the magic of Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana into your home has never been easier or more delicious. This Tuscan Soup Delight Inspired by Olive Garden proves that gourmet flavors are well within reach for any home cook, even busy parents or beginners.
While the Olive Garden version is widely known, the phrase ‘Zuppa Toscana’ traditionally refers to a broader category of Tuscan soups, often featuring local vegetables and bread, as explored by traditional Zuppa Toscana and its regional variations.
You’ve created a truly satisfying, hearty, and comforting meal that rivals the restaurant classic. Don’t hesitate to give this recipe a try and share the joy of homemade goodness. We encourage you to savor every spoonful and rate your experience!
Tuscan Soup Delight: Your Easy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large pot, brown the ground Italian sausage for 5-6 minutes, then remove it with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Using the same pot, melt butter and sauté diced onions until translucent; add minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, water, potatoes, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender. Stir in kale, heavy cream, and the reserved sausage, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving with optional parmesan and bacon.