Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup

Zuppa Toscana Soup is a copycat recipe of the favorite Olive Garden classic. The process of cooking bacon first, then adding veggies, ground sausage, broth, and potatoes and simmering on the stovetop makes this hearty soup so delicious. Serve up this easy dinner when your family is craving a warm, creamy soup.

Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup

I have always loved the Olive Garden breadsticks. And when you combine it with their salad and that Italian Dressing… there are NO words.

Then, one day I opted to get the soup. Not the Chicken Gnocchi Soup or the Minestrone Soup, but the Zuppa Toscana Soup. WOW!

When I say it was good, I mean it was GOOD.

It had that salty bacon, bits of spicy ground sausage, and I even got in my serving of vegetables with the tender kale. I had to figure out how to make it at home.

You can also make Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana if you’re in a hurry!

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make this homemade Zuppa Toscana recipe include:

• Bacon. This recipe calls for pork, but you can easily sub in turkey bacon if you prefer.
• Italian sausage. Be sure to get MILD sausage so you can better control the spiciness of the soup. The Spicy Italian version might overwhelm the dish.
• Russet potatoes. These are best for achieving the authentic texture you’ll find at Olive Garden, but you can absolutely substitute red or white potatoes.
• Onion. A sweet onion perfectly balances out the spiciness of the sausage.
• Red pepper flakes. These are crucial for creating the spice you know and love. Feel free to increase or decrease the amount based on your personal preference.
• Kale. Look for a bunch of kale bunch, rather than bagged or chopped, for the best taste and texture.

How to Make Zuppa Toscana

These are the steps to follow to make Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana recipe:

Prep the Ingredients

First, you need to get everything ready.

Use a sharp knife to dice the onion and finely mince the garlic.

Then, cube the potatoes into bite size pieces. Don’t get them too small or they’ll fall apart in the soup.

Finally, chop the bacon into small chunks.

Cook the Bacon

Heat a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add the chopped bacon to the pot and cook for 7 to 8 minutes.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the crispy bacon and place on a paper towel to drain.

Sauté the Onion and Garlic

Add the diced onion to the pot with the leftover bacon grease. Allow it to cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it is tender, and you can smell it.

Then, place the minced garlic in the pot with the onions. Continue to sauté the mixture for another 30 seconds.

Cook the Meat

Use a spatula to move the onion and garlic to the side of the pot. Add the ground sausage.

Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, or until it is no longer pink. Use a potato masher to break apart the cooked sausage so there are no large chunks.

Drain the excess fat from the meat, saving 2 tablespoons.

Add the Rest of the Ingredients

After you have drained the meat, pour in the chicken broth. Then, place the potatoes, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper into the broth mixture.

Give it a good stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until everything is combined.

Over high heat, bring the soup to a full boil. Reduce to medium-low heat, place a lid on the pot, and allow the soup to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, just until the potatoes are tender

Finish the Soup

Whisk together warm milk and cornstarch until smooth and there are no clumps remaining.

Carefully pour the slurry into the soup. Stir it well.

Add the chopped kale and cooked bacon and mix to combine.

Let the soup rest for a few minutes. Then, serve with some fresh parsley. You can also sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top of the soup.

Meal Prep and Storage

• How to prep ahead of time: You can chop all of the veggies up to 1 to 2 days before making the soup.
• How to store: Make sure the soup comes to room temperature before storing in a container and placing in the refrigerator. Soup will keep well for up to 3 to 4 days. (Do NOT add kale if storing for more than 24 hours.)
• How to freeze: Allow the soup to chill in the fridge for at least 8 hours. Then, transfer to a freezer-safe, airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
• How to reheat: For best results, warm leftover soup back up on the stovetop. You can use the microwave for individual servings.

Is Zuppa Toscana healthy?

Zuppa Toscana is a delicious and creamy soup. However, there are some ingredients with a higher calorie count. It might not be the best choice if you are watching what you eat. However, making it with a lean sausage and using milk instead of heavy cream make this a better choice!

What is Zuppa Toscana?

Zuppa Toscana generally refers to Italian soup made with hearty vegetables and a meat. The most famous version in America is from Olive Garden, which features sausage, bacon, potatoes, and veggies in a creamy base.

Where is Zuppa Toscana from?

Zuppa Toscana literally means “Tuscan soup,” so it’s safe to assume it is originally from Tuscany in Italy. There are many variations of this soup. In Italy, it is called “Minestra di Pane,” which translates to “bread soup.”

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already gluten-free as written.  Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

• Dairy-free: Stick with a plant-based milk.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Chop it up. Be sure to finely dice the garlic and onion, and cut the bacon into small pieces to evenly distribute the flavor throughout the soup.
• Don’t skip. It might seem tedious to make this soup in so many steps, but the resulting flavor makes it so worth it!
• Stick with Russets. These potatoes will give you the most authentic texture.
• Some like it hot. It is super easy to increase the spiciness of the soup by adding extra red pepper flakes.
• Serve it up. Pair this soup with a healthy salad or some breadsticks for a satisfying meal.

What to Serve with Zuppa Toscana

This soup can easily be the main dish, or you can serve it alongside something else.

Pair it with a salad like Roasted Beet Salad or a side salad with Olive Garden Italian Dressing.

You can also opt for Italian Dressing Pasta Salad or even Tomato Bruschetta.

More Soup Recipes

There are so many popular soups, it’s impossible to try them all.

This Italian Wedding Soup is similar to Zuppa Toscana, and Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup is also delicious.

Or, try a classic like this Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup, Irish Beef Stew or this Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup.