Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe

If you’ve ever been to Olive Garden, you’ve likely had the pleasure of savoring their Zuppa Toscana soup, a rich, creamy, and comforting bowl that has become a fan favorite. The combination of savory sausage, hearty potatoes, crispy bacon, and leafy kale swimming in a flavorful broth makes it one of those soups you crave time and time again.

Now, imagine being able to recreate this hearty dish right in your own kitchen-well, you’re in luck! In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into how to make a Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup, providing you with a recipe that mirrors the restaurant classic down to the last creamy bite. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can enjoy this comforting soup at home, whenever the craving strikes.

Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe

This Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe will bring the essence of the beloved restaurant soup right into your kitchen. It’s rich, flavorful, and filled with textures that balance the smooth broth with the crunch of bacon and the chewiness of sausage.

Here’s a detailed look at how to recreate this recipe:

Ingredients Needed

Before you start, let’s gather all the ingredients you’ll need for this savory, heart-warming soup:

• 1 lb Italian sausage (preferably spicy or mild based on your preference)
• 5-6 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups kale, chopped (lacinato kale is a great choice, but you can use curly kale too)
• 4 slices of bacon, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil, for sautéing

This simple yet robust combination of ingredients creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures in your soup.

Cooking Instructions

Once you’ve got your ingredients in place, let’s get cooking!

1. Prepare The Bacon

   • In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pot for flavor.

2. Cook The Sausage

   • Add the Italian sausage to the same pot, breaking it up into smaller chunks as it cooks. Cook until browned, about 5-8 minutes. Remove any excess grease.

3. Sauté The Onions And Garlic

   • In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), and sauté for another minute, allowing the garlic to become fragrant.

4. Add Potatoes And Broth

   • Toss in the sliced potatoes, followed by the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender.

5. Stir In The Heavy Cream

   • Once the potatoes are tender, stir in the heavy cream and bring the soup back to a simmer. Let it cook for another 3-5 minutes to thicken slightly.

6. Add The Kale

   • Stir in the kale and cook until wilted, which should take about 3 minutes.

7. Season And Finish

   • Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the crispy bacon you set aside earlier, and your Zuppa Toscana is ready to serve!

Ingredient Insights

When making this dish, the quality of your ingredients plays a significant role in the final flavor. Let’s break down some of the key ingredients to help you choose the best options for your soup:

• Italian Sausage: The star of the dish! You’ll want to go for a good-quality Italian sausage-spicy or mild, depending on your preference. The flavor of the sausage permeates the broth and gives the soup its signature taste. Look for sausage with minimal fillers, and try to find one with a good balance of lean meat and fat.
• Russet Potatoes: These are the best potatoes for this recipe because they break down slightly while cooking, giving the soup a creamy texture. Their starchy consistency helps to thicken the broth naturally.
• Kale: Kale holds up wonderfully in soups, providing a nice contrast to the richness of the cream. It also adds a healthy dose of vitamins and fiber. Make sure to remove the tough stems before chopping.
• Heavy Cream: For that rich, velvety texture Olive Garden is known for, heavy cream is non-negotiable. It adds that creamy, luscious body to the soup, making it feel luxurious with each spoonful.
• Bacon: Bacon adds crunch and smokiness, bringing depth to the flavor profile. It’s essential for that crispy topping that adds both texture and flavor to the soup.

Expert Tips

Here are some tips and tricks to help you perfect your Zuppa Toscana soup:

• Sausage Choice: If you can, buy fresh sausage links instead of pre-ground sausage. This allows you to remove the casing and break the sausage into pieces that will crisp up nicely while cooking.
• Don’t Skimp on Bacon: The bacon provides essential flavor, so make sure you have enough. A little extra crispy bacon on top will really elevate the dish.
• Adjust the Cream: For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream. However, the soup won’t have that same creamy consistency. If you’re going for the full indulgence, stick to heavy cream.
• Potato Thickness: For faster cooking, slice your potatoes thinner. The thinner they are, the quicker they’ll cook and break down into the broth.
• Kale Cooking: Don’t overcook the kale. You want it to retain some texture and not turn into mush. Adding it in at the end and letting it wilt for just a few minutes is the best method.

Recipe Variations

Want to make this soup your own? Here are some variations you can experiment with:

• Add Mushrooms: If you love mushrooms, try adding 1-2 cups of sliced cremini or button mushrooms to the soup for a savory umami punch.
• Use Ground Turkey: For a lighter version of this soup, swap the Italian sausage for ground turkey. You can season it with fennel seeds and red pepper flakes to mimic the flavors of sausage.
• Make It Spicy: If you like heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes, or add in a finely chopped jalapeño or two. You can also try a hot Italian sausage for more spice.
• Vegan Version: Use plant-based sausage and substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free and vegan version. Kale and potatoes are naturally vegan-friendly, so this is an easy swap!

Final Words

Recreating the iconic Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup at home is a wonderful way to enjoy a restaurant-quality dish without leaving your house. The layers of flavor from the sausage, bacon, potatoes, and kale, combined with the creamy broth, make this soup a meal you’ll return to again and again. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself to a cozy meal, this soup is versatile and satisfying.