Hearty Tuscan Rustic Soup
Experience the comforting warmth of Italy with this Hearty Tuscan Rustic Soup, a copycat version of Olive Garden's beloved Zuppa Toscana. This rich and flavorful soup combines smoky bacon, savory Italian sausage, and tender potatoes, all simmered in a luxurious chicken stock enhanced by the sweetness of Swiss chard or kale and a touch of cream. With its perfect blend of spices and hearty vegetables, you’ll find each spoonful packed with a delightful medley of flavors. Ideal for family dinners or special gatherings, this soup promises to be a crowd-pleaser that warms both the body and the soul.
8
Servings
273
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken stock
2 quarts (Use Kitchen Basics or homemade, do not substitute with broth)
water
6 cups (Combine with chicken stock)
russet potatoes
3-4 large (Peeled and diced)
bacon
3 pieces (Cooked until crispy)
white onion
1 large (Diced finely)
sweet Italian sausage
1 lb (Casings removed)
garlic cloves
3 cloves (Minced)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (For sautéing sausage)
Swiss chard or kale
1 bunch (Cut into bite-sized pieces)
cream or half-and-half
2/3 cup (To enrich the soup)
ground aniseed
1/4 teaspoon (For flavor)
salt
1/2-1 teaspoon (Adjusted to taste)
red pepper flakes
1 dash (For heat)
black pepper
to taste (Freshly cracked)
Instructions
1
In a large soup pot, combine the chicken stock and water and bring to a gentle boil.
2
Add the diced potatoes and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
3
Meanwhile, in a cast iron skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy yet slightly chewy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
4
In the same skillet, add the diced onion to the bacon fat and sauté until golden brown and almost caramelized, about 10 minutes. Once done, add the onion to the boiling soup pot.
5
Next, in the same skillet, heat the olive oil. Remove the casing from the Italian sausage and add it to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart until it's browned and resembles ground meat, about 8-10 minutes.
6
Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
7
Transfer the sausage and garlic mixture to the soup pot. Stir well to combine with the potatoes and onion.
8
Check the potatoes for doneness; they should easily break apart when pressed against the side of the pot.
9
Reduce the heat to low and add the cream and Swiss chard (or kale) into the soup. Stir in the ground aniseed, salt (adjust according to taste), red pepper flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper.
10
Simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
11
Serve hot with a side of garlic bread, cornbread, or herbed Parmesan cornbread for an extra touch.
Nutrition Information
16.6g
Fat
23.4g
Carbs
8.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Tuscan Rustic Soup?
Hearty Tuscan Rustic Soup is a rich and flavorful copycat version of Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana, featuring sausage, bacon, and potatoes.
Is this soup similar to Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana?
Yes, it is specifically described as a copycat version of the beloved Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana.
What kind of sausage is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of sweet Italian sausage with the casings removed.
Can I use kale instead of Swiss chard?
Yes, you can use either one bunch of Swiss chard or one bunch of kale cut into bite-sized pieces.
What type of potatoes are best for this soup?
The recipe recommends using 3 to 4 large russet potatoes.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Yes, the instructions specify that the potatoes should be peeled and diced.
Can I substitute chicken broth for chicken stock?
The recipe advises using Kitchen Basics or homemade chicken stock and explicitly says not to substitute it with broth.
How long should I cook the potatoes?
The potatoes should be cooked in the boiling liquid for about 15 to 20 minutes until tender.
What is the purpose of ground aniseed in this soup?
1/4 teaspoon of ground aniseed is added to provide a specific layer of flavor to the rustic broth.
How should the bacon be prepared?
Cook 3 pieces of bacon over medium heat until crispy yet slightly chewy, then set aside while keeping the fat in the pan.
Should I drain the bacon fat from the skillet?
No, you should leave the rendered bacon fat in the skillet to sauté the onion for better flavor.
How long do I sauté the onion?
The diced white onion should be sautéed in the bacon fat for about 10 minutes until golden brown and almost caramelized.
When do I add the garlic?
Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage during the last minute of browning the meat.
Can I use half-and-half instead of cream?
Yes, the recipe allows for 2/3 cup of either cream or half-and-half to enrich the soup.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
Is this soup spicy?
It contains a dash of red pepper flakes and black pepper, providing a mild heat that can be adjusted to taste.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 273 calories.
What sides are recommended for serving with this soup?
It is delicious served with garlic bread, cornbread, or herbed Parmesan cornbread.
How much water is added to the chicken stock?
The recipe uses 6 cups of water combined with 2 quarts of chicken stock.
How do I know when the potatoes are fully cooked?
The potatoes are done when they easily break apart when pressed against the side of the soup pot.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 16.6g of fat.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 8.4g of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
The soup has 23.4g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is there a specific brand of stock recommended?
Yes, the recipe suggests using Kitchen Basics brand chicken stock.
How long should the soup simmer after adding the greens and cream?
Simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include soup, Italian, zuppa toscana, comfort food, hearty, and fall recipes.
How much olive oil is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of olive oil to help brown the sausage.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 14 specific ingredients used in this recipe.
At what temperature should the onion be sautéed?
The onion should be sautéed over medium heat in the rendered bacon fat.
Can I adjust the salt level?
Yes, the recipe suggests 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt, adjusted according to your personal taste.