Hello Beautiful People! As the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of creamy, hearty soup simmering on the stove. This Zuppa Toscana recipe is everything you want in comfort food — warm, rich, and full of flavor. It’s inspired by the classic Italian-style soup made famous by Olive Garden, but with a homemade touch that makes it even better.
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The Ultimate Comfort Soup
This version is packed with spicy Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and fresh kale, all simmered in a buttery, garlicky broth with a splash of heavy cream to make it extra luxurious. It’s easy to whip up on a weeknight and tastes like something you’d find at a cozy café.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in about 40 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
- Family Friendly: Use mild sausage if you want to keep it kid-approved.
- Rich & Creamy: The broth is perfectly balanced with heavy cream for that velvety finish.
- Perfect for Leftovers: It reheats beautifully the next day — if there’s any left!
Creamy Zuppa Toscana
Ingredients
- 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
- Chopped bacon or bacon bits and grated Parmesan cheese for topping optional
Instructions
- In a large pot, sauté sausage 5–6 minutes until browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer sausage to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pot, add butter and sauté onions over medium heat until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth, water, potatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender. Stir in kale and heavy cream. Add sausage back to the pot. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and/or bacon if desired.
Notes
Tips & Variations
- No Italian sausage? Use regular sausage and mix in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning plus a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap heavy cream for coconut milk for a lighter twist.
- Make Ahead: This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days — just reheat gently before serving.
This creamy Zuppa Toscana is the kind of recipe that makes your kitchen smell amazing and brings everyone to the table. Whether you’re cooking for family or hosting friends, it’s one of those simple, soul-warming meals you’ll come back to again and again. Also last weeks blog post goes perfectly with this blog post. The Ultimate Soft Buttermilk Bread and this Creamy Zuppa Toscana match so perfectly. Leave a comment below if you enjoyed this recipe as much as we did.
