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 tender potatoes. It’s on my family’s regular menu rotation!
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Helpful Reader Review
“Soup was delicious! Best copycat Olive Garden recipe ever! Taste so authentic; I thought I was eating at Olive Garden!” – Marianne ★★★★★
Zuppa Toscana Video
Now wasn’t that easy? Serve topped with crispy bacon, extra cheese and generous slices of Sourdough Bread, or crusty French Bread. I hope this Zuppa Toscana becomes a favorite in your home as well.
Zuppa Toscana Copycat Recipe
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!
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 from scratch 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! This American adaptation is classically made with kale, potatoes, onion, and garlic, then served topped with Parmesan cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano.
Is Zuppa Toscana Spicy?
I 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 that’s more kid-friendly, then season with salt and pepper to taste. You can spice up individual bowls later with red pepper flakes if you prefer.
Zuppa Toscana Ingredients
- Bacon – the bacon adds an extra layer of flavor to the soup and a crunchy salty bite when sprinkled as garnish. Parmesan is also a nice touch to serve the soup.
- Italian Sausage – I prefer using ‘hot’ Italian sausage, but you can use mild if you prefer less spice. Remove casings if present.
- Aromatics – I use a whole head of garlic (more on that below) and a diced onion.
- Chicken stock – you can use chicken broth or stock here, or even substitute with turkey stock. Homemade always tastes best, especially bone broth! For richer flavor, you can replace the water in the recipe with more stock.
- Potatoes – you can peel or leave the skins on for a more rustic soup. Russet, or yello wpotatoes work great.
- Kale – strip the leaves from one kale bundle then finely chop. It will seem like alot of kale, but it softens and shrinks down in the soup.
- Whipping cream – heavy cream creates a rich broth. You can use a light cream if desired.
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 an incredible and authentic Italian flavor. Since the garlic is sautéed and 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).
Everyone in my family makes this Zuppa Toscana regularly. I love it when my Mom has a pot simmering on the stove when all of my sisters’ families come over for Sunday lunch. It’s the first thing I reach for, even with plenty of other options on the table (Mom always makes a feast on Sundays!). I hope this Zuppa soup 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 head of garlic, about 10 large cloves, peeled and minced or pressed
- 1 onion, medium, finely diced
- 6 cups chicken broth, or chicken stock
- 4 cups water
- 5 russet potatoes, medium, peeled and chopped into 1/4" thick pieces*
- 1 kale bundle, leaves stripped and chopped (6 cups)
- 1 cup whipping cream, or 1 can full fat unsweetened coconut milk
- salt and black pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese, optional, to serve
Instructions
- Brown Bacon – 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.
- Brown Italian sausage, breaking it up with your spatula, and sauté until cooked through and browned (5 min). Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate.
- Add onion to the pot and saute 5 min, stirring occasionally, or until soft and golden, then add minced garlic and saute 1 min.
- Add broth and water, and bring to a boil. Add sliced potatoes and cook 13-14 min or until easily pierced with a fork.
- Add chopped kale and cooked sausage, and bring everything to a light boil.
- Stir in cream and bring to a boil. Season to taste with salt and black pepper, then remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and serve garnished with bacon and grated parmesan.
Notes
- Fridge: once completely cool, cover and refrigerate leftovers for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Soups with cream and potatoes do not freeze well, so I don’t recommend freezing this soup.
- Reheat: Warm on the stove over medium-low heat or in the microwave until steaming hot. Avoid boiling.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
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
- Stuffed Chicken Parmesan
- Filet Mignon
- Chicken Mango Avocado Salad
- Chicken Stir Fry
- Shrimp Scampi
- Monterey Chicken
- Homemade Salsa
- Chicken Piccata
Full of flavor! Great way to get in some greens. =)
It sure is, Kari! I’m so glad you loved it.
I’m eating this for lunch right now after making the recipe! It is so delicious. Zuppa Tuscana soup was always my favorite at Olive Garden, but this recipe is superior to theirs. The development of flavors is wonderful. It is also nourishing in the winter with the broth and added nutrients from garlic & kale.
Thanks for trying the recipe, Jessica! I’m so glad you loved it.
Delicious and so comforting. Even my kale-hating husband loved this beautiful Italian Soup.
That’s wonderful, Sarah!
Enough for three meals for the two of us!
Great recipe, even better than Olive Garden
I have made this recipe countless times, and it is always a huge hit. My husband even prefers it over the Olive Garden version! I’ve used hot, mild, and even turkey Italian sausage, and it is always delicious. I have started taking this soup to my women’s book club at church, and the ladies devour it every time. Thank you, Natasha, this recipe is amazing!
You’re very welcome, Jennifer! It really is always a hit, and I’m so happy you all loved it too!
Easy to follow one pan recipe. I added some chicken bouillon and used mild Italian sausage since I don’t care for the heat of hot sausage and it was truly delicious. Thank you for the suggestion.
Very easy! This is a new-to me recipe, so I made half a batch. I used a 10 oz bag of frozen kale for speed of prep. That was a lot of greens! For those who would like to use frozen kale, I think a single 10 oz bag will be sufficient for a full recipe of soup
Thank you for the tip, Rachel! That’s so helpful and I’m happy that you enjoyed making this recipe!
Zuppa is such a great comfort food! Can’t go wrong with this delicious recipe 🤤
This soup was so fun to make! And it was absolutely delicious! I will make it again and again!
That’s wonderful to hear, Barbara! Thanks for trying the recipe.
Natasha that was a great and easy recipe! I could not wait till my husband gets home! I ate a bowl, still I want more! I cannot wait till he gets home and try!😊
It sounds like you have a new favorite. I’m so happy you loved it!
I’ve made this several times with coconut milk – I’m really picky with recipes and it is a winner!
I’m glad to hear it works well with coconut milk, KC!
So good!! A must try for everyone. Will make again!
Great Soup and easy to make! The fact that all of my picky eaters enjoyed it was a major win for me! I used the coconut milk in stead of the heavy cream and used Italian chicken sausage as a healthier swap.
This soup was perfect! My son and husband both loved it. My son even had some for breakfast the next day. We will add this one to the soup rotation for sure! Thank you.
I’m so glad you found it perfect, Courtney! That’s so wonderful!
My family really enjoyed this soup! It was delicious and we will definitely be making it again. I also loved how easy the recipe was to follow. Thank you, Natasha, for providing us with such wonderful recipes.
Just made this tonight!! Subbed fresh cauliflower for the potatoes and used coconut milk instead of cream for a lower-carb Paleo option due to an eating plan I’m on. It was still so flavorful and perfect for a snow day’
Delicious soup and such a wonderful recipe!
I’m looking forward to making it again with pancetta and cauliflower.
Delicious! This time, my husband said that it was better than the one at the restaurant!
Instead of using the bacon as topping, I added it to the soup, it gives more flavor.
Love your recipes and I already got your book!
That’s great, Zenia! So glad to hear it was a hit! I’m happy to know you’re loving my recipes. Thanks so much for purchasing my book.
A very comforting recipe, perfect for the cold winter weather. Ingredients are easily available , easy to prepare and taste so great.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!