Home Soup/Stew/ChiliSoup Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana

by Jamie
Zuppa Toscana.
Like you can order at The Olive Garden, my friends.
The very soup just happens to be one of
 my TeenSonMark’s favorites.
Pardon the hideous display of dirty dishes in the
background of this picture!
It happens, you know. 
Dirty dishes.
More often than not around here!
The people living here think they need to eat,
like around the clock or something.  
Just the other day MyHandsomeHusband asked LittleTwinBoyNate
“Hey bud, do you know where Mom is?”
“I don’t know, but I sure hope she’s in there doing the dishes…
…that kitchen is a real MESS.”
Hmm. Real mess, hu? Not sure why a 4 year old is keeping tabs on my dirty dish status. Seems kind of odd to me. Wonder where he gets his “kind of odd” personality. I’m sure it couldn’t be from me.To read about a crazy twin-made mess click here.
 
Anyhow! Would you like to know about this Zuppa Toscana?
Oh good, I’m so glad.  Let me just tell you.
It was really, really good folks.    
My TeenSonMark loved it.
I loved it.
All (minus 1) of my children loved it.
MyHandsomeHusband loved it.
It was a hit. That, is something to be grateful for!
Hope you love it as well! 

Zuppa Toscana
Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 15 servings
Recipe adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod

1 pound Italian Sausage
1/2 T red pepper flakes
1 large white onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 T crumbled bacon pieces (I used Hormel precooked bacon)
8 C chicken broth
2 C water
1 C half and half
2 large russet potatoes, sliced thin
3 C Kale, chopped
salt and pepper

 
1. In a large soup pot brown up your sausage with the red pepper flakes.

                           

2. While the sausage is cooking, slice up your potatoes. Nice and thin, now.

                           

3. Then quarter the slices.
4. Chop up your onions, and mince your garlic.

5. Once the sausage is cooked remove it to a plate, and pour your onions, garlic and bacon into the soup pot. Saute them, stirring frequently until the onions are transparent.

6. Add the broth and water to the soup pot.

7. Carefully pour in your potatoes. Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the potatoes cook. Should only take about 10 minutes.



8. While your taters are cooking wash up your Kale. This lovely image above is Kale. I have to admit, when I read the original recipe I though. “Kale? What in the world is Kale? Is that some kind of bird without the U sound in its name?” Don’t tell anyone how exceedingly lame I am, ok? Thanks. ‘Precieate it. Kale, my friends is a thick leafy vegetable that can be found in a regular grocery store in the produce section. Easy. Much easier than finding Quail, as far as I can tail tell. 

Roughly chop up your Kale into small pieces.



9. Once your potatoes have cooked through, add the half and half,

and the Italian Sausage. Cook the soup just until it is heated through.



10. Add your Kale, remove from the heat and serve.

This Zuppa Toscana is FABULOUS served with the
I posted earlier in the week.
Simply FABULOUS!
Enjoy and have a great weekend everyone!
May your dirty dishes be few.
See you back here soon.

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39 comments

Kimberly March 11, 2011 - 4:13 am

I LOOOOVE this soup!!!! I've made it before and it came out wonderful!!!!!!!!!

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Anonymous March 11, 2011 - 4:40 am

Jamie, Jamie, Jamie, I can NOT WAIT to make this soup I made it once before and used kale it was my first time and wasn't sure about it either but, it totally makes the soup. We are going to Sun River Oregon for a week in the snow and I believe this soup just moved up to the top of my menu!!!
Thank you for posting it!!
Janette

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Lindsey Hemara March 11, 2011 - 10:37 am

so glad you have pictures step-by-step. I'm a dumby when it comes to cooking.

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Shanu February 7, 2014 - 7:34 pm

Nicole, you’re so right. It’s nice to have a healthy aiodctdin (besides the occasional double chocolate brownie!). Funny how a simple vinaigrette can transform such a healthy green, but I’m definitely hooked, too.

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Tina at Mommy's Kitchen March 11, 2011 - 12:24 pm

That soup looks delicious Jamie. I love just about anything Olive Garden. Can you believe I have never cooked with Kale. I really need to change that.

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Patti March 11, 2011 - 12:58 pm

This comment has been removed by the author.

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Patti March 11, 2011 - 1:08 pm

Ooooh! This is by far my absolute favorite soup from Olive Garden! I was thinking the OG version had spinach instead of kale…I learn something new everyday…like, I never knew that I even liked Kale. LOL Thanks for sharing the recipe. This is going on my menu plan for the weekend!
Or maybe…just maybe I'll just have to take a trip to OG and save myself from all the dirty dishes. 🙂

btw…love reading your other blog too! What great stories. The post about the twin made mess was great. I don't have twins but I have boys (4 of them) and the scenario sounded so familiar! LOL

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The Wotring's March 11, 2011 - 5:37 pm

You can also use Swiss Chard instead of Kale in this soup.

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Allison Moffitt March 11, 2011 - 5:46 pm

When I saw your post for the breadsticks, I immediately got a craving for the Zuppos Toscana soup. Thanks for being a mind reader!!

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Anonymous March 12, 2011 - 11:58 pm

Awesome,awesome,awesome!!!
I loved this soup! Hubby thought it was a bit spicy..
Maybe next time I'll use alittle less red pepper flakes to satisfy him!
Thanks for the wonderful recipe!

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Texan March 14, 2011 - 12:49 pm

Kale is one of my alllll time favorite vegetables! This soup looks very good. Kale is so good for us too!

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suzie March 14, 2011 - 5:56 pm

Hi, I actually made this soup a couple of weeks ago however, when I put the sausage back into the soup it made my soup all greasy and red. Do you hae any helpful tips for that. It was still delicious I just don't know why it went red.

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Amanda March 14, 2011 - 9:50 pm

I LOVE Kale! I went grocery shopping today and made sure to buy all the ingredients for this soup, it looks so delicious! Can't wait to try it out this week!

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Melissa March 15, 2011 - 9:20 pm

I really liked this soup. My kids thought it was to spicy. Is it the red pepper flakes or the Italian sausage? I love love your blog and the step by step instructions.
THANKS

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Jamie Cooks It Up! March 16, 2011 - 12:05 am

Melissa,
So glad you liked it! I would check to see what kind of Italian Sausage you are using. They usually come in mild and hot. Also, leaving out the red pepper flakes would help as well. If you have kids who don't like the heat I would choose the mild sausage and then leave the red pepper flakes out. Good luck!
~Jamie

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Megan March 23, 2011 - 2:06 am

Yum! I have been making Zuppa Toscana for about 10 years and it is my families favorite soup recipe. Mine is very similar to yours, although I like to use either Jimmy Dean Hot breakfast sausage, or Hormel Spicy Breakfast sausage (which is even hotter).

Your breadsticks look GREAT. I have been experimenting with a couple of recipes for Olive Garden Copycat breadsticks, but I haven't been happy. Can't wait to try yours soon!

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TAMMY September 21, 2011 - 4:05 am

Jamie~
Update since the last time I made this and was a bit to spicy( for Dh)….Tonight I made it with a couple shakes of red pepper flakes and it turned out perfect! I'm going to a soup party this weekend and for sure I'm taking Zuppa with me :oD
Thanks again for the awesome recipe!

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Janessa Couch September 21, 2011 - 7:30 pm

Making this tonight for some company for the umpteenth time and I LOVE it along with the Olive Garden Breadsticks. Thank you so much!!!!!

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bclaus January 2, 2012 - 12:33 am

I make mine waaaay diff…didn't know there were other variations…kinda similar though 🙂

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Ten Tasty Soups September 24, 2012 - 5:00 pm

[…] Zuppa Toscana  and Olive Garden Breadsticks […]

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Holly December 11, 2012 - 11:07 am

Could you use spinach instead of Kale?

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Jamie December 12, 2012 - 6:33 am

Holly,
Kale is a lot more hearty than spinach, so it keeps its shape nicely when added to the hot soup. Spinach will wilt quickly and leave you with a lot of soggy greens in your soup. Hope this helps.
~Jamie

Reply
February Menu Plan 2013 February 4, 2013 - 12:30 am

[…] Jamie on February 4, 2013 Zuppa Toscana and Olive Garden Breadsticks, Grandpa Mark Meatloaf, Italian Cream Cheese Chicken, Creamy Chicken […]

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Robin February 20, 2013 - 6:08 pm

Can you tell me what chopping tool you are using in these photos? What brand, where did you buy it, do you like it, does it work well, etc. Thanks. Your recipes are great and have helped me greatly. Any chance of copying Zupas chicken enchilada soup?

Reply
Jamie February 21, 2013 - 6:40 am

Hi Robin,
The knife in the pictures is part of the Ronco 25 Piece 6 Star Knife Set. You can purchase them at this link.
https://www.ronco.com/products/sixstar-knives.html
I love these knives. Couldn’t get along without them. I use the knife in the picture most often.
Good luck!
~Jamie

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Anon March 5, 2013 - 12:13 pm

I made with this without adding water. Delish!

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Ally April 12, 2013 - 12:51 am

I made this for bunco, and it was a hit! Your son Mark is so handsome, what a great smile!

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Cathleen September 10, 2013 - 8:02 am

I started making this soup a few years ago and it was also my first time using kale. Since then we have learned to love it and I add it to so many things. My youngest children won’t eat green vegetables, but I blend a bunch of Kale in their strawberry banana smoothies and they never know. It is so good for us so I love using it whenever I can. A couple of variations I do with the soup which are step savers are to use chopped frozen potatoes and Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage Crumbles (a lot less fattening). I love your recipes!

Reply
March Menu Plan 2014 March 3, 2014 - 12:31 am

[…] Pizza and Green Salad 5. Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls 6. Rice Pilaf and Roasted Asparagus 7. Zuppa Toscana 8. Olive Garden […]

Reply
Christen January 13, 2015 - 12:39 pm

Have you tried this soup in a crock pot? Adding everything except the kale and half and half? I’m trying it today. I hope it works out. Will it make my sausage a spongy texture?

Reply
How To Make Zuppa Toscana Healthy | eHow July 11, 2016 - 7:21 pm

[…] Zuppa Toscana – Jamie Cooks It Up – Zuppa Toscana Time: 45 minutes Yield: 15 servings Recipe adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod PRINT RECIPE 1 pound Italian Sausage 1/2 T red pepper flakes […]

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Menu Plan February Week #2 February 4, 2017 - 12:31 am

[…] Zuppa Toscana and Olive Garden Breadsticks  […]

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Maxine Baker September 21, 2017 - 9:54 am

I am making this tonight for dinner. How long can you keep this as I will have several groups coming different times.

Reply
Maxine Baker September 21, 2017 - 9:56 am

How long can you keep this soup hot. I have several different people coming at different times. Would you just keep it warm?

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Amanda T January 18, 2018 - 12:52 pm

I’ve made this soup at least 5 times and it is ALWAYS delicious. My friends are obsessed with it too! I doubled the potatoes (just because I had them) and it still came out perfect. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!

Reply
Jamie January 19, 2018 - 12:06 pm

Amanda,
So happy to hear you have been enjoying this recipe. It’s one of our favorites as well.
Thanks for letting me know!
Best,
~Jamie

Reply
I made some Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden soup! Here is the link to the recipe that I used: ... - Olivegarden March 14, 2019 - 5:42 pm

[…] Made a Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden soup! Here is the link to the recipe I used: jamiecooksitup.ne … […]

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[…] Made some Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden soup! Here’s the link to the recipe I used: jamiecooksitup.ne… […]

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I made some Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden soup! Here is the link to the recipe that I used: ... - Olivegarden March 29, 2019 - 2:19 am

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