Zuppa Toscana – Olive Garden Copycat (VIDEO)
Zuppa Toscana is Olive Garden’s most popular soup. This one-pot, homemade Zuppa Toscana recipe is hearty and loaded with Italian sausage, kale, bacon and potatoes.
Some of our most popular recipes are restaurant copycat recipes like Creamy Shrimp Pasta and of course Chicken Madeira! You can make it better at home for a fraction of the price!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Zuppa Toscana Copycat Recipe:
We love re-creating restaurant quality soups at home like our popular Clam Chowder Recipe. My sister Tanya taught me how to make this Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana and it has been a family and reader favorite since we first published it in 2010. We have since made it heartier and more flavorful. The classic just got better!
What is Zuppa Toscana?
Zuppa means soup and Toscana means Tuscan. Tuscan Soup! It is classically made with kale, potatoes, onion, and garlic then served topped with cheese.
Is Zuppa Toscana Spicy?
We use “Hot” Italian sauce which does give this soup a spicy kick but you can substitute with medium or mild Italian sausage and make a less spicy version then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Do I really need 1 HEAD of Garlic?
YES! We used a full head of garlic (about 10 large cloves). Do not skip the fresh garlic. Garlic gives the broth incredible and authentic Italian flavor. Since the garlic is sautéed, then simmered with the broth, it doesn’t overwhelm the soup. Garlic is also very good for you (a super food)!
Is Zuppa Toscana Healthy?
This soup is naturally gluten free and grain free. To make a Keto-friendly Zuppa Toscana, you can substitute potatoes with cauliflower.
For Whole 30 (dairy free), substitute the heavy whipping cream for 1 can of full fat unsweetened coconut milk (using the solid white cream portion only and adding it at the very end just to heat through).
More Copycat Recipes from Restaurants:
These recipes are inspired by some of our favorite restaurant dishes. In every case, we loved the homemade version even better because of higher quality ingredients, healthier fats (olive oil), less salt and of course a lower bill!
- Beet Salad with Arugula – Cheesecake Factory inspired
- Stuffed Chicken Parmesan – ridiculously easy dinner idea
- Filet Mignon – read the reviews and plan a date night in
- Chicken Mango Avocado Salad – you’ll love the dressing here
- Chicken Stir Fry – so saucy and healthier than takeout
Watch How to Make Zuppa Toscana:
Now wasn’t that easy? Serve topped with crispy bacon, extra cheese and generous slices of crusty French Bread. I hope this Zuppa Toscana becomes a favorite in your home as well.
Zuppa Toscana - Olive Garden Copycat
Homemade Zuppa Toscana is loaded with Italian sausage, bacon, kale and potatoes. Learn how to make Zuppa Toscana soup as made popular by Olive Garden!
Ingredients
- 6 oz bacon chopped
- 1 lb Italian Sausage The "Hot" variety
- 1 medium head garlic 10 large cloves, peeled and minced or pressed
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 4 cups chicken broth/stock (32 oz)
- 6 cups water (48 oz)
- 5 medium russet potatoes peeled and chopped into 1/4" thick pieces
- 1 kale bundle leaves stripped and chopped
- 1 cup whipping cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese to serve optional
Instructions
-
In a large pot or dutch oven (5.5 qt), over medium-high heat, add chopped bacon and sauté until browned (5-7 mins). Remove to a paper-towel lined plate and spoon out excess oil, leaving about 1 Tbsp oil in the pot.
-
Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with your spatula and sauté until cooked through (5 min). Remove to paper towel lined plate.
-
Finely dice onion and add to the pot. Saute 5 min or until soft and golden then add minced garlic and saute 1 min.
-
Add 4 cups broth and 6 cups water, and bring to boil. Add sliced potatoes and cook 13-14 min or until easily pierced with a fork.
-
When potatoes nearly done, add chopped kale and cooked sausage and bring everything to a light boil.
-
Stir in 1 cup cream and bring to boil. Season to taste with salt and black pepper then remove from heat. Garnish with bacon and grated parmesan.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
natashaskitchen
Zuppa Toscana Recipe 
Clam Chowder Recipe (VIDEO) 
Loaded Potato Soup Recipe 
Beef Chili Recipe 
Chicken Mango Avocado Salad (VIDEO) 
Chicken Madeira – Cheesecake Factory Copycat (VIDEO) 
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Natasha, I noticed that you cook in Dutch oven a lot. Is that right? Would you please recommend non-toxic and chip-resistant Dutch oven brands for cooking and baking bread? Also are any other high-efficient cookware alternatives for Dutch oven for those above mentioned methods? Thank you very much!!!
We love cooking in our Dutch oven. Our Shop here has all of our favorites that we use often.
Left out the potatoes to make it Keto!!
That’s so great. Thank you for sharing that option with us Marie!
Hi Natasha My name is LarQueen. I just love your food!😀 could you pls tell me where you get your bowls from? You just made some Alfredo chicken and I loved your blue bowl!🙂
Hi LarQueen, we have our favorites in this shop here, https://natashaskitchen.com/shop/
Made the soup for dinner, my husband and I really liked it. This one is a keeper. I do think it would be fine without the bacon atop too. I also was concerned about how much garlic it called for, but it was perfect!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Hello –
I want to use cauliflower instead of potatoes. Can you tell me when I should add it? Any different steps to take? And about how much cauliflower?
Hi Mags, I haven’t tested that so I cannot advise, but here is what one of our readers wrote ” Natasha, this soup is perfect for my ketogenic diet. I just substituted potatoes for cauliflower and yum!” I hope that helps.
This soup is soooo good! Not a fan of Olive Garden! (too many carbs live there) but I grown kale so I had to try it. I sub the hot port sausage for mild chicken sausage and added some red pepper flakes when I sauteed it. I sub the russet potatoes for little red ones (less starch). Made the rest of the recipe as is. My husband is eating some for lunch today and saids it tastes even better the next day. This recipe is definitely a keeper. Will makes this again and again. Thank you so much for this.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Diane!
I made this for my dad while my mom was away. He has loved every recipe I have tried on here, but this one made him pick up the phone at 2 am to tell me how good the soup was even though I was in the other room. He kept raving that it was even better than Olive Gardens and that I do not need to know how to cook any other soup. Basically A++ recipe 🙂
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me Patricia. I’m so happy you found a family favorite. I’m all smiles!
What a great base it turns out! As it happened I found myself with about 1/2 of a big bag (Sam’s Club) of broccoli along with most of large bunch of kale and about 8oz of mushrooms all heading south in a hurry. I was trying to come up with something to do with them when I happened onto this recipe. I thought, “what the hell, who needs potatoes”. I thought I’d just turn it into a low carb version, but in the end couldn’t resist throwing in a cup of elbow mac. It turned out to be nothing short of exceptional, certainly one of the top five soups I’ve made and I’ve made a bunch. I used Better than Bouillon so perhaps I ended up with more stock than called for but that’s more about taste anyway. I’m sure the recipe as written is wonderful, but this was so good I’m not sure I’ll ever get to it. 🙂
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review Bill!
AMAZING! Have you ever considered making your own app? I’d download it asap!!
Thank you for that suggestion, Miriam!
Agree! Every single recipe is a keeper!
You’re so nice! Thank you Mary! I’m smiling big reading this!
This is one of my favorite soup recipes! Tastes just like the one from Olive Garden!
It is a favorite around here. Thank you for that awesome review Taylor!
This is the best soup EVER!! So amazing!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Chelsea!
One of my favorite dinners!
Thank you for sharing that with me Aimee!
Such great classic recipe!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Tanya! It is one of our favorites!
This soup is perfect any time of year! It’s a family fav at our house.
Hi Cheryl! I’m so happy you enjoyed that! It is definitely a favorite around here also!
Natasha, this soup is perfect for my ketogenic diet. I just substituted potatoes for cauliflower and yum!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review Marina!
Hi there, made this for dinner…love, love it. Followed the recipe to the tee…nothing to change. Served with crusty Italian bread. Love all your recipes…
Pat Hatwell
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I made this with mild sausage and added some red pepper flakes. It was perfect! So delicious, tastes almost exactly like Olive Garden’s, if not better!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review Mary!
Where has this soup been all my life!! Thank you. We are soup fans and this is now easily in our top 5!
Our mods were equal parts broth and water. Check! Added a handful of sun dried tomato strips and garnished with basil on top of the bacon and Parmesan. Triple check!!! Wicked and thank you. We love your blog!!
That’s so great Jules!! Sounds like you found a favorite!! Thank you for that wonderful review!
I made this today, turned out very Delicious thank you.
You should post a receipe For broccoli cheddar Soup from panera Bread!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Val! Thank you for that suggestion!
48 oz of water = bland soup. Why do you water it down so much?
Hi Brandon, It makes a big pot of soup and if you keep everything else proportional, it is rich in flavor.
I made this soup about a month ago for my husband and I and the only substitution I made was using parsnips in place of the potato. We thoroughly enjoyed this soup! Thank you for the recipe. And BTW, I froze the remaining soup in individual servings using freezer bags and this soup is just as delicious the second time around!
HI Lori! I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review! 🙂
Making this again tonite, so excited!
That’s so great!
Nutritional information per serving? Please?😘
Hi April! I added nutritional info on this. I hope you love our Zuppa Toscana Recipe! 🙂
How much oz is per serving?
Hi Tatyana, I wish I had measured it that way! This soup will make about 11-12 cups, at 8 servings about 1 1/2 cups per serving or so. I hope that helps!
Where is your pot from?! happen to have a link
Hi RM! Yes, it is the red dutch oven pot linked in our shop 🙂
Is there a difference between russet potatoes and yellow potatoes? Will it make a difference if I use yellow?
Hi Alina, yellow potatoes will work fine in Zuppa Toscana 🙂 They are a waxier potato and have a slightly different texture but will still work fine.
Just made this last night. It was delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
You’re so welcome Ashley! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
I always added Italian seasoning as well makes it more italian☺️
That sounds great!
AWESOME copycat recipe!
Isn’t it the best?! Thank you for reading our blog!
Oh, AND, I usually make zuppa in a slow cooker and it tastes great! I just saute the garlic and onions and sausage on the stove first and then put all the ingredients (except the heavy cream) into the slow cooker for several hours and then add the cream in right at the end!
Super, that tip will come in handy for a lot of folks! Thanks again Jordyn!
Hi Natasha! I just stumbled onto your blog and it’s fantastic! This is the first time I’ve felt eager to try all of a blogger’s recipes! I plan to try your BBQ pulled pork tonight 😉
Just some personal notes/suggestions for you and others about zuppa: I make a different copy cat version all the time and I like to:
1. Substitute cauliflower (fresh or frozen) instead of potatoes just because fewer carbs
2. Substitute spinach for kale. It tastes great and unless you’re looking for the texture of kale, spinach is a perfect sub.
3. I love adding crushed red pepper flakes in at the beginning and at the end. It’s also great if you have to use mild sausage if family doesn’t like spicy because then you can personalize the spicy with the flakes in your own bowl.
I’m glad you’re enjoying my site so much. Thanks for following and sharing your helpful review with other readers!
I had never tried this soup before until I made your recipe…i just recently went to the olive garden and tried this soup. I must say your recipe was much better.
I love your recipes…looking forward to more delicious recipes.
I’m happy to hear how much you enjoy the recipe Deborah! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review!
I tried your Suppa Tuscana recipe and it was really good. Thank you. Maria Z.
You’re welcome Maria! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe, thanks for sharing your great review!
This soup is AMAZING! It has quickly become one of my go-to’s. Thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome Rhianna! I’m happy to hear how much you love the recipe. Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!
I made this soup before, but something was a bit different when I made it yesterday. I think 10 cups of liquid is too watery, especially with 6 cups of it being water. Last time, I used 3 cups of broth, 3 cups of water. I used a different copycat recipe last time, and this was the only difference (the liquid amount). Otherwise, delish!
Hi Linda, you can definitely scale it down if you prefer a heartier Zuppa 🙂
Awesome so yummy ! And I never like this soup at the restaurant but decided to try your receipe ! Thank you
You’re welcome Yulia! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe so much! Thanks for sharing!
WOW!!! Thank you very much for this recipe! I made this at home and absolutely everyone in my family loved it! I was shocked! It was very delicious!!! For sure, gonna make it later.
You’re welcome Julie! I’m glad to hear how much everyone enjoys the recipe. Thanks for sharing your excellent review!
Hi Natasha
This soup looks wonderful. I use your recipes weekly and they are always delicious.
I’m wondering if you or another reader has a suggestion for a whipped cream substitute that is also non dairy. I don’t have a problem with it but some of the people I cook for have a dairy allergy (different from lactose intolerance). It seems like soy or almond milk would be too thin. Don’t know if there are heavy cream versions of these products.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Chris
Hi Chris, one of my readers recommended canned coconut milk (the cream part) to make it creamy and dairy free.
Sorry my letter left me hope you get it. I have been looking for a Salmon recipe called tequila salmon, hope you can help.
Hi Fleeta, I don’t have a recipe like that and haven’t heard of it. Is it from a restaurant? I’d love to try it! 🙂
Did you try this?
http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/grilled-tequila-salmon-57297
Love love this soup. I make it at least once a month. My husband and friends love it served with crusty bread hot or not. Thank you Ms. Natasha. I have made several of you recipes and haven’t made one we didn’t like. Keep them coming. Fleeta
My pleasure! I’m glad to hear how much you’re enjoying the recipes. Thanks for following and sharing your great review!
Omg made this and it was so delicious! Definitely way better than Olive Garden in my opinion. My hubby loved it so much he had seconds and ate some more few hours later! This was definitely a big hit and is an all time favorite for us now. Thanks Nastasha!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you both enjoy the recipe as much as I do! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!
Is it spicy hot?
Hi there- great recipe, appreciate that you note how many minutes you sauté/cook each thing. What’s the calorie count? I ran through this a few times looking and didn’t spot it. Thanks!!
Due to time constraints, I don’t typically include nutritional info, but check out this nutrition analyzer – you can plug in the ingredients from any recipe, select the serving size and it will give you nutritional info, calories, etc. I hope that is helpful to you Sara!
This is an awesome soup. For sake of time you can use Del Monte Fresh Cut potatoes which has a great taste.
I use mild Italian sausage and put red flakes on table for those that want more spice.
I’m happy to hear you enjoy the recipe as much as I do Catherine! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review with other readers!
Hi Natasha, What a tasty soup! I made this for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it. Thanks again for another wonderful recipe, always a fan.
Hello Amy! I’m glad to hear the recipe is such a success! Thanks for sharing your great review!
Hi Natasha; I made the Zuppa Toscana for dinner tonight . It was a big hit . The only different thing I did was add some Chopped carrots to it with the potatoes . Love your recipes. Hits home . Love it . And Thank you so much . You made cooking fun again . Sincerely Nelly
Hello Nelly! My pleasure, I’m happy to hear how much you enjoy the recipes! Thanks for following and sharing your great review with other readers! 🙂
I just made this soup it is really good. Thank You so much for the recipe.
You’re welcome Karla! I’m glad to hear that! Thanks for sharing!!
How about spinach instead of kale, and half and half?
Hi Nancy, I think half and half would still work. I’m not sure about spinach though. I really love the texture of kale in this soup, but if you prefer spinach, it might be worth an experiment.
OMG, this soup is awesome!! It was so easy to make and inexpensive. So looking forward to trying your other recipes. Thumbs up!!
I’m glad you love the recipe Lucille! Thanks for sharing your excellent review!
Hi Natasha,
You might want to review your cooking instructions. Looks like you have cooking the sausage twice. Also, could you add approximate prep and cook times?
Thanks!
Oh goodness, thank you so much for pointing that out! I clarified the recipe and included cooking and prep times. 🙂
Hi Natasha!!! Thank you for the wonderful recipe! I’m obsessed with your recipes!!! I have a question… If I skip potatoes, is it gonna change the taste a lot? What do you think? Thank you!😊
Hi Alina, I think it would still taste ok but it would be a very very thin soup since there isn’t much to bulk it up except for the potatoes. It would be very watery.
You could try substituting cauliflower for the potatoes. I try and follow a low carb lifestyle and that’s what I typically do with Zuppa Toscana Soup. Try maybe a whole cauliflower cut into the florets.
Thanks for this recipe!!! Is it still yummy for the next day?
Hi Dana, yes we still enjoy it the next day if there are leftovers 🙂
Do you think it would be okay to replace the sausage with ground turkey and omit the bacon as we do not eat port
Hi Veronika, the overall soup would taste more like a meatball soup than zuppa since you would be lacking the spiciness. I would suggest adding some spice since the sausage is a spicy sausage. Also, we often make this without any bacon so that one is easy to omit 🙂
We don’t eat pork either- I make this soup with Trader Joe’s spicy italian chicken sausage and it’s perfectly spiced!
Thank you for sharing that with me Yuliya!
Hi Natasha,
What do you think if I were to somehow add mushroom to this?
Too much?
Anna, I don’t think you can go wrong with mushrooms here, although I haven’t tried it myself.
Can this be stored in freezer containers?
Hi Nancy, I haven’t tried frezing but I don’t see why not. I think it would work 🙂
Love this soup!! We make it a little different but thinking to try it this way soon. Also, I wanted to ask you if you ever tried the chicken and gnocchi soup at Olive Garden, would be awesome if you would create a copy cat of that soup!
I haven’t tried that one but now I guess I have to!! Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
Zuppa Toscana is my all-time favorite soup!!!!!
It is so delicious! Please let me know if you decide to try my recipe!
I love this recipe! Thank you Natasha for such easy instructions and beautiful pictures that motivated me to try this delicious soup. My whole family loved it, and I am also sharing with recipe with coworkers. P.S It tastes better than at Olive Garden 😉
I’m happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!! 😀
Can anything be substituted for the whipping cream in this soup?
Hi Yvonne, one of my readers recommended canned coconut milk (the cream part) to make it creamy and dairy free. You can also use half and half to make it a little lighter.
I love this recipe!!!
👍🏻 I knew you would 😋
How long can this soup stand in the fridge?
My favorite!!!
Hi Lana, we’ve never maxed it out because it always literally disappears in 2 days ;). It’s definitely great at least 3 days but probably not passed 4-5 days.
Any chance you would know nutritional facts in this?
Due to time constraints, I don’t typically include nutritional info, but check out this nutrition analyzer – you can plug in the ingredients from any recipe, select the serving size and it will give you nutritional info, calories, etc. I hope that is helpful to you Stephanie!
This is my favorite version of Zuppa – I really think it’s better than Olive Garden’s!!
That’s quite a compliment! Thank you so much! 🙂
This is a great soup Natasha!
I love the addition of bacon.
I add a half cup of white wine to the broth.
Oh wow! I never would have thought to add white wine. I’ll have to try it sometime! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This is my husband’s favorite soup to order– thanks for sharing an at-home version =)
It’s always either the salad or this soup for us as an App at Olive Garden. I never get tired of it. I think it’s nicer at home because it’s heartier and made with love of course 😉
delicious…can i freeze this soup?
i live in Ottawa, Canada and look forward to your emails.
I haven’t tried that but I don’t see why not. I think it would work to freeze it. I’m so glad you are subscribed and enjoy the emails 🙂
This soup came on the perfect day! It’s sunny here but it’s COLD…very deceiving, but hey! The sun is out! This looks like the perfect comfort meal with some nice crusty bread 🙂
It’s been the same here – it’s still a little crisp outside and perfect for a bowl of warm soup :). What part of the country are you in? I’m in Idaho – the Boise area 🙂