Zesty Italian Soup
Zesty Italian Soup 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
Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Step 1: Scrub the potatoes under running water, but don’t peel them. Slice into thick rounds about 1/4 inch wide. Add the sliced potatoes, diced onion and minced garlic to a large pot or dutch oven, then pour in the broth and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer until potatoes easily fall apart when poked with a fork (about 20-25 minutes).
Step 2: While the potatoes and broth are simmering, remove sausage from casing, if necessary, and brown in a separate pan over medium heat until cooked through. Cook bacon using preferred method (I use already cooked bacon microwaved for 45 seconds until crisp) then roughly chop or crumble. Add sausage, any pan drippings, and the chopped bacon to the 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), and discard stems. Add the kale to pot then slowly stir in 1 cup of heavy cream Simmer the soup for at least 5 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed and pepper to taste. If you 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 if you like.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra zest!
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Zesty Italian Soup
Ingredients
- 3 large potatoes sliced thick
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage (I use hot and mild chicken sausage)
- 1/2 lb (or 8-10 precooked) slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 1 cup heavy cream
Optional:
- chicken bouillon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes under running water, but don't peel them. Slice into thick rounds about 1/4 inch wide. Add the sliced potatoes, diced onion and minced garlic to a large pot or dutch oven, then pour in the broth and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer until potatoes easily fall apart when poked with a fork (about 20-25 minutes).
- While the potatoes and broth are simmering, remove sausage from casing, if necessary, and brown in a separate pan over medium heat until cooked through. Cook bacon using preferred method (I use already cooked bacon microwaved for 45 seconds until crisp) then roughly chop or crumble. Add sausage, any pan drippings, and the chopped bacon to the 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), and discard stems. Add the kale to pot then slowly stir in 1 cup of heavy cream Simmer the soup for at least 5 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed and pepper to taste. If you 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! 😍
❤️❤️