Zesty Italian Soup
This is a hearty potato and sausage soup inspired by Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana that is so easy to make. Perfect for cold nights and rainy days!
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- water
- chicken stock or broth
- russet potatoes
- garlic cloves
- onion
- mild Italian sausage (I use chicken sausage)
- bacon, cooked and crumbled
- chopped kale
- heavy cream
- chicken bouillon (optional)
Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Step 1: Scrub potatoes (don’t peel), then slice into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Mince garlic and dice onion. Add broth and water to a large pot or dutch oven, then stir in potatoes, onions and garlic. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer until potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes.
Step 2: While pot is simmering, remove sausage from casing, if necessary, and brown in a separate pan until cooked through. Cook bacon using preferred method (I use already cooked bacon microwaved for 45 seconds until crisp) then roughly chop. Add sausage, any pan drippings, and chopped bacon to pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse kale thoroughly then chop by slicing down the middle seam, then chopping leafy portion into smaller pieces (or use bagged, chopped, kale), discard stems. Add kale to pot then slowly stir in 1 cup of heavy cream, simmer 5 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed and pepper to taste. If your prefer a heavier broth flavor, add 1-2 chicken bouillon cubes and stir until dissolved.
Step 4: Spoon into bowls and serve hot with your favorite Italian bread and enjoy!
Tips:
- You can use pork, chicken or turkey sausage. If necessary, remove from casing by slicing with a sharp knife and squeezing out ground sausage.
- For a spicier soup, use hot Italian sausage.
- Chicken broth or bone broth can be used in place of chicken stock.
- Top with your choice of grated parmesan or Romano cheese.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra zest!
You may also like:
Zesty Italian Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 3 large potatoes sliced thick
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 medium onion
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage I use chicken sausage
- 1/2 lb or 8-10 precooked slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 1 cup heavy cream
- chicken bouillon (optional)
Instructions
- Scrub potatoes (don’t peel), then slice into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Mince garlic and dice onion. Add broth and water to a large pot or dutch oven, then stir in potatoes, onions and garlic. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer until potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes.
- While pot is simmering, remove sausage from casing, if necessary, and brown in a separate pan until cooked through. Cook bacon using preferred method (I use already cooked bacon microwaved for 45 seconds until crisp) then roughly chop. Add sausage, any pan drippings, and chopped bacon to pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Rinse kale thoroughly then chop by slicing down the middle seam, then chopping leafy portion into smaller pieces (or use bagged, chopped, kale), discard stems. Add kale to pot then slowly stir in 1 cup of heavy cream, simmer 5 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed and pepper to taste. If your prefer a heavier broth flavor, add 1-2 chicken bouillon cubes and stir until dissolved.
- Spoon into bowls and serve hot with your favorite Italian bread and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use pork, chicken or turkey sausage. If necessary, remove from casing by slicing with a sharp knife and squeezing out ground sausage.
- For a spicier soup, use hot Italian sausage.
- Chicken broth or bone broth can be used in place of chicken stock.
- Top with your choice of grated parmesan or Romano cheese.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra zest!
Nutrition
Disclaimer: All nutrition values are per serving and approximate. They will vary depending on products and quantities used.
So easy and so many variations. Perfect season for yummy soups. So glad I found this site! Much easier to see and follow recipes.
Thank you so much for the positive feedback, Sara! 😍
❤️❤️