Recreate the creamy, hearty, and flavorful goodness of Olive Garden's famous Zuppa Toscana at home! Perfect for cozy nights or family gatherings, this soup is a crowd-pleaser. ๐ฒ✨
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, as preferred) ๐ถ️
- 2 large russet potatoes (washed, halved, and sliced into 1/4-inch slices) ๐ฅ
- 1 large Vidalia onion (chopped) ๐ง
- 4 slices cooked bacon (chopped) ๐ฅ
- 1 teaspoon Accent seasoning (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ๐ง
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes ๐ถ️
- 2 garlic cloves (minced) or 1 tablespoon jarred minced garlic ๐ง
- 2 cups kale or Swiss chard (chopped and packed) ๐ฅฌ
- 2 (8-ounce) cans chicken broth ๐ (add 1 envelope chicken bouillon for extra flavor)
- 1 quart water ๐ง
- 2 teaspoons flour or cornstarch (mixed with water to form a paste)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (tempered) ๐ฅ
Instructions
1. Brown the Sausage
- ๐ณ Chop or slice uncooked sausage into small pieces.
- Cook in a soup pot over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly.
2. Add Aromatics
- ๐ง To the sausage, add onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook until the onions are soft and aromatic.
3. Build the Base
- ๐ฅฃ Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced potatoes to the pot.
- Gradually pour in the chicken broth and water while stirring.
- Enhance flavor by adding a chicken bouillon envelope if needed.
4. Cook the Potatoes
- ๐ฅ Cook the soup on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.
- Once done, stir in the flour or cornstarch paste and simmer for an additional 15 minutes to thicken the broth.
5. Add Kale, Bacon, and Cream
- ๐ฟ Lower the heat to the lowest setting.
- Stir in the chopped kale and cooked bacon. ๐ฅ
- Slowly pour in the tempered heavy cream, stirring constantly to combine. ๐ฅ
6. Taste and Serve
- ๐ฉ๐ณ Adjust the seasoning as needed.
- ๐ฅฃ Ladle into bowls and serve hot with a side of crusty bread or breadsticks. ๐ฅ✨
๐ Pro Tips
- ๐ฅ Tempering Cream: Slowly warm the cream before adding to avoid curdling.
- ๐ถ️ Flavor Boost: Use spicy sausage for extra kick or mild for a balanced flavor.
- ๐ฅฌ Greens Swap: Spinach or Swiss chard works if kale isn’t available.
- ๐ Gluten-Free Option: Replace flour with cornstarch for a gluten-free alternative.
Enjoy your Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana—a restaurant favorite, made better at home! ๐ฒ✨
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