Olive Garden Crockpot Zuppa Toscana Soup: Easy Copycat Recipe

Craving the iconic flavors of Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana soup? Now you can enjoy this beloved classic made effortlessly in your zuppa toscana soup olive garden crockpot. This hearty, creamy, and savory soup delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal hands-on time. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, offering a comforting meal that practically cooks itself. Get ready to savor every delicious spoonful!

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Zuppa Toscana

This recipe brings so much to your family table. You will truly enjoy how simple and satisfying it is.

• Effortless Convenience: Your slow cooker handles most of the work, making dinner prep a breeze. For more inspiration on easy weeknight meals, explore our guide to delicious crockpot soup recipes.
• Authentic Taste at Home: Recreate the beloved Olive Garden flavors right in your own kitchen.
• Rich & Comforting: This soup is packed with savory sausage, tender potatoes, and creamy goodness.
• Simple Prep, Easy Cleanup: Minimal hands-on time means less mess and more time for you.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Prepare a big batch to enjoy throughout the week.
• Highly Customizable: Easily adjust ingredients to suit your family’s preferences.

Ingredients

This delicious zuppa toscana soup olive garden crockpot starts with a few simple, wholesome ingredients. You’ll find everything you need at your local grocery store. Using good quality ingredients will really make your soup shine with flavor.

• 1 lb ground pork sausage (mild or spicy)
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• ¾ cup yellow onion, diced
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup potatoes, peeled and diced (bite-sized)
• 2 cups fresh kale, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup heavy whipping cream

For soups and stews, various potato types offer different textures and flavors, with Yukon Golds being a popular choice for their creamy balance. Explore the best potato varieties for soups and stews to perfect your dish.

Notes & Substitutions

• Sausage: For an extra layer of flavor, try using mild or spicy ground Italian sausage. This is key to the classic taste.
• Potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes work wonderfully. They hold their shape well and contribute to a creamy texture. If you love the hearty addition of potatoes in your meals, try our creamy chicken potato soup.
• Kale: If you prefer, fresh spinach can be substituted for kale. Add it during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
• Cream: For a lighter version, half-and-half can be used in place of heavy whipping cream.
• Seasoning: Always taste and adjust salt and pepper to your personal preference before serving.

Equipment

You won’t need many specialized tools to make this delightful crockpot Zuppa Toscana soup. These common kitchen items will help you prepare and cook your meal with ease. Gathering them before you start cooking streamlines the entire process.

• 6-quart or larger slow cooker
• Large skillet
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Strainer or colander

Instructions

Making this zuppa toscana soup olive garden crockpot is straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a truly delicious and satisfying meal. The beauty of slow cooking is that it allows flavors to meld beautifully with minimal effort on your part.

1. Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet, cook the ground pork sausage over medium heat until it is fully browned. Break it up into small, even pieces as it cooks.
2. Drain Fat: Carefully drain any excess fat from the cooked sausage. This prevents your soup from becoming too greasy.
3. Set Aside: Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set it aside in a bowl.
4. Cook Bacon: Add the diced bacon to the same skillet. Cook over medium heat until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
5. Sauté Onion: Once the bacon is cooked, remove it from the skillet with a slotted spoon. Leave about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet. Add the diced yellow onion to the hot bacon fat and sauté until it becomes translucent and soft, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Drain Excess Fat: If there is a lot of leftover bacon fat with the onion, drain most of it off, leaving just a little for flavor.
7. Combine in Crockpot: Transfer the cooked sausage, crispy bacon, sautéed onion, and minced garlic into your 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
8. Add Broth & Potatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and add the peeled and diced potatoes to the slow cooker.
9. Stir Well: Give everything a good stir to combine all the ingredients evenly. Ensure the potatoes are mostly submerged in the broth.
10. Slow Cook: Cover your crockpot and cook on the LOW setting for 4-6 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 2-3 hours.
11. Check Potatoes: The soup is ready when the potatoes are fork-tender and easily pierced.
12. Add Kale & Cream: Stir in the thinly sliced fresh kale and the heavy whipping cream.
13. Finish Cooking: Cover the slow cooker again and cook for an additional 15-30 minutes, or until the kale has wilted to your desired tenderness. The cream should also be fully incorporated and heated through.
14. Serve Hot: Ladle the hot zuppa toscana soup olive garden crockpot into bowls and enjoy immediately.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

These expert tips will help ensure your crockpot Zuppa Toscana turns out perfectly every time. A little extra attention can make a big difference in the final taste and texture. Don’t be afraid to adjust things as you go.

• Prevent Mushy Potatoes: Cut your potatoes into consistently bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Avoid overcooking; check for tenderness regularly.
• Avoid Bitter or Tough Kale: Add kale only during the last 15-30 minutes of cooking. This ensures it wilts nicely without becoming overcooked or bitter.
• Enhance Flavor: Browning the sausage and bacon before adding them to the crockpot develops deeper, richer flavors. The Maillard reaction is a scientific process that creates hundreds of different flavor compounds, giving browned food its distinctive taste. Do not skip this important step.
• Adjust Spice: For those who like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for an extra kick.
• Thicker Soup: If you prefer a thicker soup, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold broth to create a slurry. Stir it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Too Salty? If the soup tastes too salty, add a few more diced potatoes or a splash of water or milk to balance the flavor.

Serving Suggestions, Storage & Variations

This versatile zuppa toscana soup olive garden crockpot is easy to customize and enjoy in many ways. Here are some ideas for serving, storing, and adapting this fantastic recipe. Making it your own is part of the fun.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve this hearty soup with warm, crusty bread or replicate the Olive Garden experience with their signature breadsticks.
• Garnish each bowl generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and extra crispy bacon bits for added flavor and texture.
• Pair with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to complete your meal.

Storage Instructions

• Allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container.
• Refrigerate the leftover crockpot Zuppa Toscana soup for up to 3-4 days. It often tastes even better the next day!
• Freezing: For best results when freezing, omit the heavy cream and potatoes. Add fresh cream and cook new potatoes when reheating for optimal texture.

Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian Version: Substitute ground plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth for a delicious vegetarian slow cooker Zuppa Toscana.
• Spicier Kick: For an extra spicy soup, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use full-fat coconut milk or a suitable dairy-free cream alternative instead of heavy whipping cream.
• Add More Veggies: Feel free to incorporate other vegetables like diced carrots or celery along with the potatoes for added nutrients.

Nutrition Information

This zuppa toscana soup olive garden crockpot offers a satisfying and flavorful meal. The nutritional values provided are approximate and can vary. They depend on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you choose to use. Always consult a professional for precise dietary advice.

Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients used. Always calculate for specific dietary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about making this fantastic zuppa toscana soup olive garden crockpot. These answers will help you achieve the best results with your homemade soup.

• Can I use frozen potatoes?
  Fresh potatoes are highly recommended for the best texture in this soup. Frozen potatoes may become mushy when slow-cooked.
• What kind of sausage works best?
  Mild or spicy ground Italian sausage is ideal as it provides the authentic flavor profile of the classic Zuppa Toscana.
• Can I prepare this ahead of time?
  Yes, you can brown the sausage and bacon, then refrigerate them. Add the prepped meats and other ingredients to the crockpot when ready to cook.
• Can I double the recipe?
  Absolutely! Use a larger slow cooker (8-quart or more) if you plan to double the recipe. You may need to extend the cooking time slightly.
• Why is my kale still tough?
  Ensure you thinly slice the kale before adding it to the soup. If it’s still tough, cook it for a bit longer, but watch to avoid overcooking.

Conclusion

You’ll absolutely love this easy, flavorful zuppa toscana soup olive garden crockpot copycat recipe. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings or any time you crave a hearty meal. The simple slow cooker preparation makes it a true weeknight winner, letting you enjoy big flavors with minimal fuss. Try this delicious crockpot Zuppa Toscana today and share your amazing results with friends and family!

Olive Garden Crockpot Zuppa Toscana Soup: Easy Copycat Recipe

Enjoy a comforting bowl of Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana with this easy copycat recipe made in your crockpot. This hearty soup features ground pork sausage, crispy bacon, potatoes, and kale in a creamy broth.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 bowls

Calories: 460

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground pork sausage
• 3/4 cup onion diced
• 6 slices bacon diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup potatoes cut into bite sized pieces
• 2 cups kale thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup whipping cream

Equipment

• Large skillet
• 6-quart crock pot

Method

 

Cooking Steps

1. Brown the ground pork sausage in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Drain the sausage and set it aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion and bacon over medium heat until the onions are translucent.
4. Combine the cooked sausage, sautéed onions, bacon, minced garlic, chicken broth, and potatoes in a 6-quart crock pot.
5. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
6. Stir in the thinly sliced kale and whipping cream just before serving.

Notes

For a spicier kick, use hot ground pork sausage. You can also adjust the amount of kale to your preference.