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!
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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
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
- 6 cups chicken broth/stock, (48 oz)
- 4 cups water, (32 oz)
- 5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/4" thick pieces
- 1 kale bundle, leaves stripped and chopped (6 cups)
- 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 bacon 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 6 cups broth and 4 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.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This is a very versatile recipe. I make it healthier by adding a 15 ounce can of cannellini beans Beans, using chicken sausage and turkey bacon, and adding a full can of evaporated milk instead of cream. It’s delicious and still seems decadent! Then my husband and I started a plant-based diet. So I switched out the meat for some type of meat substitute and added in sausage seasoning that I found on Amazon, Plus a little smoked paprika. I substituted coconut milk for the cream. Still absolutely delicious!
Such a delicious and comforting recipe! I love that it’s packed with hearty ingredients like Italian sausage, kale, and potatoes. The tip about using a full head of garlic is great for adding authentic flavor. Can’t wait to try this homemade version—thanks for sharing
Exceptional recipe, flavors were amazing! Everyone ABSOLUTELY loved this soup, it’s a WOW & MUST TRY!!
First time I only had 4 cloves of garlic and I liked it much better. It was very good.
Loved this! So good! Never had the OG soup, but this looked so good. Was not disappointed.
Very good soup. For just two people , I use less potatoes and water.
Love this soup, but next time I think I am going to cut back on the
amount of water.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe!! Everyone in the house loves it even my crazy picky 18 year old who wont eat anything besides chicken nuggets and pizza. I tend to add a little more cream in it but besides that. It’s wonderful!!!!
That’s so great to hear! Thanks for the feedback.
This is a very tasty and easy recipe to make a little time consuming but I highly recommend you try it
Oh My Goodness!! This tasted just like Olive Garden!!! My family LOVED it and I thought there’s was gonna be enough for leftovers??? Well, barely enough for my husband and I to have for lunch the next day! It was a HIT!! Thank you oh so much Natasha!
Hey ! I’ve made this recipe so many times and wondering if I can use frozen kale instead of fresh.
Hi Marissa! That should be fine.
Can you make this in advance and freeze?
Thank you for your reply.
Hi Denise! I haven’t tried freezing it, but there has been feedback from my viewers who have frozen this with good results.
Followed to a tee, absolutely delicious! This soup will chase away colds and flu all season long, the garlic is not too much, it’s savory and deeply delicious! Try this recipe, you won’t be disappointed. Thank you Natasha!
You’re very welcome! So glad you loved the recipe.
I followed the recipe pretty closely. Didn’t have cream on hand, substituted canned milk. It was delicious. Family loved it. Will definitely make again. Thank you 🙏 ❤️
So glad it was enjoyed, Vicky!
Do you have a receipt for crockpot instructions?
I only have this recipe at the moment, I don’t have the crockpot version yet.
Hi! We’ve made this recipe years ago and loved it and want to make it again! Is it possible to use evaporated milk if we don’t have heavy cream? Thank you for the great recipe!
Hi Mare! I think that would work fine.
One of our favs!!! Definitely prep everything first, then cook🇨🇦
Trying it now. Should I leave stems on kale
Hi Susie! You can remove the stems since it can be tough.