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Creamy Zuppa Toscana Recipe Better Than Olive Garden Soup Easy and Delicious

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A rich and hearty creamy zuppa toscana soup featuring spicy Italian sausage, tender potatoes, fresh kale, and a luscious creamy broth. This easy recipe is perfect for cozy evenings and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, spicy or mild
  • 3 medium russet potatoes (about 600g), peeled and thinly sliced
  • 4 cups packed fresh kale (about 120g), chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups (1 quart) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  2. Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Stir in the thinly sliced potatoes. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
  4. Return the browned sausage to the pot and add the chopped kale. Simmer for another 5 minutes until the kale wilts and softens.
  5. Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently to combine. Add red pepper flakes if using, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Warm through on low heat for 5 minutes, avoiding boiling to prevent curdling.
  6. Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly cracked black pepper or grated parmesan cheese if desired. Serve with crusty bread or a light salad.

Notes

Do not rush browning the sausage to develop flavor. Thinly slice potatoes to ensure even cooking. Add cream last and warm gently to avoid curdling. Wilt kale just until tender to maintain color and texture. If soup thickens too much after resting, stir in a splash of broth or water to loosen. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk. For vegetarian, replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy zuppa toscana, Italian sausage soup, Olive Garden copycat soup, easy soup recipe, comforting soup, kale soup, potato soup, creamy soup

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/creamy-zuppa-toscana-recipe-better-than-olive-garden-soup-easy-and-delicious/