Rustic Tuscan Sausage & Potato Soup
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Rustic Tuscan Sausage & Potato Soup, inspired by the beloved Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden. This rich and hearty soup combines spicy sausage, crispy bacon, and tender potatoes with the vibrant greens of kale, all enveloped in a creamy broth. Perfect for chilly evenings or a satisfying family dinner, this dish captures the essence of Italian home cooking. Serve it with crusty bread for a complete meal that will warm your heart and delight your taste buds!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Spicy sausage
1.5 cups (casings removed and crumbled if in links)
Potatoes
2 medium (cut in half lengthwise and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces)
Onion
3/4 cup (diced)
Bacon
6 slices (cooked and crumbled)
Garlic
1.5 teaspoons (minced)
Kale leaves
2 cups (cut in half, then sliced)
Chicken base
2 tablespoons (use as a soup base)
Water
1 quart (for broth)
Heavy cream
1/3 cup (for richness)
Instructions
1
If using sausage links, remove the casings and crumble the sausage into small pieces.
2
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the crumbled sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3
In the same pot, add bacon and diced onions. Cook until the bacon is crispy and the onions are translucent, approximately 5-6 minutes. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set aside but leave the onions in the pot.
4
Stir in minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
5
Add the chicken base, water, and sliced potatoes to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
6
Return the crumbled bacon and cooked sausage to the pot. Stir in the sliced kale and heavy cream, and simmer for an additional 4 minutes until the kale is wilted.
7
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with extra crispy bacon if desired.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
22.5g
Carbs
13.75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rustic Tuscan Sausage & Potato Soup?
It is a rich and hearty Italian-inspired soup featuring spicy sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and kale in a creamy chicken-based broth.
Is this recipe similar to Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana?
Yes, this recipe is a copycat version inspired by the beloved Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden.
What kind of sausage should I use?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of spicy sausage. If using links, ensure you remove the casings and crumble the meat.
How should the potatoes be prepared?
Use 2 medium potatoes, cut them in half lengthwise, and then slice them into 1/4 inch pieces.
What type of greens are in this soup?
This soup uses 2 cups of kale leaves, which should be cut in half and then sliced.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the fat content of this soup?
This soup contains 20g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 22.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this soup provide?
This soup provides 13.75g of protein per serving.
What makes the broth creamy?
The creaminess comes from adding 1/3 cup of heavy cream at the end of the cooking process.
Can I use chicken broth instead of water and chicken base?
Yes, you can substitute the 1 quart of water and 2 tablespoons of chicken base with 1 quart of chicken broth.
How long do the potatoes need to simmer?
The potatoes should simmer in the broth for about 15 minutes or until they are tender.
When do I add the garlic?
Add the minced garlic after browning the bacon and onions, and sauté it for about one minute until fragrant.
How do I cook the bacon for this recipe?
Cook the bacon with the onions until crispy, then remove and crumble it before adding it back later.
What should I serve with this soup?
It is recommended to serve this soup with crusty bread for a complete meal.
How long does it take to brown the sausage?
The crumbled sausage usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes to brown over medium heat.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 1.5 teaspoons of minced garlic.
Can I use mild sausage instead of spicy?
Yes, if you prefer a less spicy soup, you can substitute the spicy sausage with mild or sweet Italian sausage.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 main ingredients: spicy sausage, potatoes, onion, bacon, garlic, kale, chicken base, water, and heavy cream.
What is the first step in making the soup?
The first step is to remove casings from the sausage (if applicable) and crumble it into a large pot.
How long do I cook the kale?
The kale should be simmered in the soup for about 4 minutes until it is wilted.
Do I leave the onion in the pot after browning the bacon?
Yes, remove the bacon to crumble it but leave the onions in the pot to continue cooking with the garlic.
How much onion is needed?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of diced onion.
What is the total liquid volume?
The recipe uses 1 quart of water combined with chicken base and 1/3 cup of heavy cream.
How do I garnish the soup?
You can garnish the soup with extra crispy bacon bits if desired.
Is this soup suitable for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as perfect for chilly evenings and very satisfying.
Should the sausage be cooked separately?
The sausage is browned first in the pot, then set aside while you cook the bacon and onions.
What is the purpose of the chicken base?
The chicken base is used to create a flavorful soup broth when mixed with water.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Based on the nutritional data provided, there is no sugar listed for this recipe.
How do I know when the soup is finished?
The soup is ready once the potatoes are tender, the kale is wilted, and the sausage and bacon have been returned to the creamy broth.