Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana

This is my Zuppa Toscana Recipe loosely based on that place with unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks.  I think they have pasta too…

For years, I frequented Olive Garden almost religiously on a weekly basis. Of the hundreds of times I’ve been, I think I only ever ordered from their lunch and dinner menu two times. The other 151 times, I would order the unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks. I am a sucker for those breadsticks.  I love their salads too. But the star of the show for me was their super simple and delicious soups. My two favorites being the Zuppa Toscana and Pasta E Fagioli – both of which I have replicated in my kitchen using healthier ingredients but tasting just as good!

zuppa toscana recipe

Zuppa Toscana

This Zuppa Toscana recipe is a healthy adaptation of the Olive Garden soup. It has spicy Italian sausage, kale, and potatoes in a creamy broth.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: italian, lentil soup, olive garden, soup
Servings: 4
Calories: 280kcal
Author: David

Ingredients

  • 1 lb spicy Italian chicken or turkey sausage packaged or homemade
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 onion(s) chopped
  • 4 slices bacon cooked crisp
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
  • 3 large russet potatoes cleaned and chopped
  • 6 cups water or broth, vegetable or chicken
  • 3 cups kale chopped and packed
  • 1 cup milk coconut or almond, unsweetened
  • 1 tbsp potato starch or corn starch mixed into 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  • In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat. Break into chunks and crumbles while browning. Drain and move to a plate.
  • Cook garlic, onion, and bacon over medium heat until onion starts getting soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Add sausage back to pan with the potatoes and cover with water or broth. 
  • Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
  • Bring to a boil then simmer over medium-low heat for one hour.
  • Add kale, milk, and potato starch and stir, bringing back to a simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Add more salt and pepper to taste if needed.

Notes

I like to use homemade turkey or chicken sausage but any good spicy Italian sausage works well.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


1 thought on “Zuppa Toscana”

  • With every visit to Olive Garden, I feel guilty for choosing the soup over the salad. With this healthier version, I can indulge in the zuppa Toscana.

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