Discover the ultimate comfort food experience with this amazing Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe! Packed with savory Italian sausage, fresh kale, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and a hint of red pepper spice, this hearty, gluten-free soup is a family favorite that’s surprisingly simple to make. Get ready to recreate a restaurant classic right in your own kitchen!
Recreate the Magic of Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana at Home
Olive Garden has long been synonymous with inviting Italian-American dining, celebrated for its endless soup, salad, and breadsticks. Among their iconic quartet of soups – Chicken & Gnocchi, Pasta e Fagioli, Minestrone, and Zuppa Toscana – it’s the latter that consistently steals the show, ranking as their most beloved offering. There’s an undeniable allure to recreating restaurant favorites in your own kitchen, and the Zuppa Toscana is a prime candidate. This recipe brings that beloved experience right to your dining table, allowing you to savor its rich, complex flavors whenever the craving strikes.
What makes Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana so incredibly popular? It’s a symphony of flavors and textures: the subtle kick from spicy Italian sausage and red pepper flakes, perfectly balanced by the creamy, luscious broth, tender slices of potato, and earthy kale. This hearty concoction is a match made in culinary heaven, providing both warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful. At around 500 calories per bowl, this substantial soup is fulfilling on its own, yet it truly shines when paired with its classic companions. Imagine a cozy “Olive Garden Night” at home, complete with a crisp Olive Garden Salad with its signature dressing and some warm, pillowy Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks, perfect for dipping into that rich, flavorful broth!
More Cozy Soup Creations to Explore
If you find yourself smitten with the comforting embrace of a warm bowl of soup, don’t stop here! Expand your culinary repertoire with other delightful recipes like my quick and easy Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup, or venture into something uniquely delicious with my Creamy Cabbage & Bleu Cheese Soup. Each offers a distinct flavor profile designed to warm you from the inside out.
What Exactly is Zuppa Toscana Soup?
The name “Zuppa Toscana” itself offers a clue to its origins. “Zuppa” is the Italian word for soup, while “Toscana” refers to Tuscany, a picturesque region in central Italy renowned for its rich culinary traditions, focusing on simple, fresh, and high-quality ingredients. Therefore, Zuppa Toscana literally translates to “Tuscan soup,” embodying the rustic, hearty essence of Tuscan cooking.
This wholesome and satisfying soup is not just delicious; it’s also naturally gluten-free and grain-free, making it an excellent choice for those with dietary restrictions or anyone seeking a healthier comfort food option. The flavors are a harmonious blend of creamy richness and a subtle, inviting spice that truly awakens the palate. From the moment the aromatic Italian sausage begins to brown, mingling with fragrant red pepper flakes, to the sautéing of sweet onion, savory garlic, and smoky bacon, your kitchen will fill with irresistible aromas, promising a meal that will make your tummy growl in anticipation. One of the best aspects of this homemade Zuppa Toscana is its freezer-friendly nature, allowing you to easily prepare a large batch and enjoy the convenience of delicious leftovers for lunch or a quick dinner on busy weeknights.
Beyond Soup: Explore More Copycat Delights
If you enjoy the thrill of recreating restaurant classics at home, we have a treasure trove of other copycat dishes waiting for you. Dive into nostalgia with my Copy Cat Taco Bell Enchirito Recipe, indulge in a sweet and savory spread with Cinnamon Honey Butter – A Texas Roadhouse Copycat Recipe, or experience a regional favorite with Cincinnati Chili | Skyline Chili Copycat! Each recipe is crafted to bring those familiar, beloved tastes straight to your home.
Essential Ingredients for Your Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
Crafting the perfect homemade Zuppa Toscana starts with understanding each ingredient’s role. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this incredibly flavorful and satisfying soup:
- Italian Sausage: This is the backbone of the soup’s robust flavor. Italian sausage, with its unique blend of fennel and other spices, adds a distinctive peppery, savory depth. Choose mild or spicy depending on your preference for heat. Ground pork sausage can also work, but Italian sausage provides the most authentic flavor.
- Crushed Red Peppers: These tiny flakes are crucial for giving the soup its characteristic gentle warmth and a little kick, mimicking the spiciness found in the original Olive Garden recipe. You can adjust the quantity to suit your heat tolerance.
- White Onion: Sautéed until translucent and sweet, white onions provide a fundamental aromatic base that mellows the spice and adds a delicious sweetness, balancing the soup’s overall flavor profile.
- Bacon: Crispy, smoky bacon bits contribute a wonderful texture and a deep, savory umami flavor that is essential to Zuppa Toscana. For convenience and to minimize grease, using pre-cooked real bacon pieces from the salad section is a fantastic shortcut without sacrificing flavor. If using raw bacon, ensure you cook it until crispy and drain excess grease.
- Garlic Puree: Garlic is indispensable in Italian-inspired cooking. Garlic purée offers a convenient and potent way to infuse the soup with its pungent, aromatic qualities. It’s easily stored and can be substituted with freshly minced garlic (about 4-6 cloves) if preferred.
- Water & Chicken Bouillon: Together, these form the flavorful chicken broth, which is the heart of the soup. Using bouillon cubes dissolved in water allows for easy adjustment of broth strength and ensures a consistent, savory base. This method also helps control the soup’s thickness and prevents it from becoming overly dense.
- Heavy Cream: This is what gives Zuppa Toscana its signature creamy, luxurious texture. Heavy cream not only enriches the broth but also helps prevent curdling and ensures the soup freezes and defrosts beautifully, maintaining its smooth consistency.
- Russet Potatoes: Approximately 3 large Russet potatoes, sliced with their skins left on, provide a hearty, starchy component that thickens the soup naturally as they cook. Leaving the skins on adds a rustic texture and additional nutrients. Other waxy potatoes can work, but Russets offer that authentic creamy interior.
- Fresh Kale: When combined with the other ingredients and simmered in the flavorful broth, the kale transforms, absorbing the delicious tastes without retaining its usual raw bitterness. It adds a vibrant color, a slight chewiness, and a boost of nutrients, making the soup even more wholesome.
Simple Steps to Crafting Homemade Zuppa Toscana
Follow these straightforward steps to create a rich and satisfying bowl of Olive Garden-style Zuppa Toscana right in your kitchen.
Preparation & Sautéing
Begin by browning the Italian sausage with the crushed red pepper in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Break up the sausage with a spoon as it cooks until it’s no longer pink. Once cooked through, drain any excess fat from the pot to prevent the soup from becoming greasy. Transfer the cooked sausage to a separate plate and refrigerate it while you prepare the remaining ingredients; this keeps it fresh and prevents overcooking.
Using the same pot (no need to clean it, the residual flavor is a bonus!), add the bacon, diced white onions, and garlic purée. Sauté these aromatics for approximately 15 minutes, or until the onions become wonderfully soft and translucent, and the bacon is lightly crispy. This step builds a deep, savory foundation for your soup.
Building the Broth
In a separate bowl, dissolve the chicken bouillon cubes in the specified amount of hot water to create a rich chicken broth. Pour this flavorful broth into the pot with the sautéed onions, bacon, and garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Simmering to Perfection
Add the sliced Russet potatoes to the boiling broth. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about half an hour, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Once the potatoes are soft, carefully stir in the heavy cream and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the soup is thoroughly heated through but not boiling rapidly. Finally, return the pre-cooked Italian sausage to the pot, stirring to combine and heat through.
Serving & Storage Tips
Just before serving, stir in the chopped fresh kale. The residual heat from the soup will perfectly wilt the kale, adding freshness and a vibrant green color without overcooking it. Serve immediately and savor every spoonful of your homemade Zuppa Toscana soup!
To store any delicious leftovers, ensure the soup is fully cooled before transferring it to airtight containers. For freezing, divide the soup into freezer-friendly bags or containers, leaving a little headspace for expansion, and store for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop. In the refrigerator, the soup will keep well in an airtight container for up to 5 days, making it perfect for meal prepping.
Tips for the Perfect Zuppa Toscana Every Time
- Adjusting Spice: The beauty of homemade soup is customization! If you prefer a milder soup, reduce the amount of crushed red pepper flakes. For extra heat, feel free to add a pinch more.
- Choosing Kale: While curly kale is traditional, you can also use lacinato (dinosaur) kale. Just be sure to remove the tough stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- Potato Prep: Leaving the skin on Russet potatoes adds a rustic touch and some nutrients. However, if you prefer, you can certainly peel them. Ensure slices are uniform for even cooking.
- Creamy Consistency: For an even richer broth, you can swap a portion of the water for chicken broth or bone broth. If the soup is too thick, thin it with a little more water or milk.
- Seasoning: Always taste and adjust seasoning before serving. You may need extra salt and pepper to bring out the best flavors. Remember that bouillon can be salty, so add slowly.
Love It? Pin It! Share the Flavor!
Found your new favorite comfort food? Don’t let these tasty Olive Garden inspired recipes get lost! Make sure to pin this amazing Zuppa Toscana recipe to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest so you can easily find it whenever you’re ready to whip up a batch. Sharing is caring, and your friends and family will thank you for introducing them to this incredible homemade delight!
Other Delightful Soup Recipes You Will Enjoy
- Hearty Philly Cheese Steak Soup (pictured above)
- Comforting Potato, Green Bean & Bacon Soup
- Unique Honey Bourbon Glazed Beets with Crispy Kale
- Classic Sauerkraut, Bratwurst and Potato Soup
- Rich & Creamy Cheesy Corn Chowder
- The Easiest Lasagna Soup Recipe + Video
- Authentic Polish Sauerkraut Soup (KAPUSNIAK)
- Learn How to Make Turkey Stock
- Flavorful Italian Chicken Noodle Soup
- Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup
Create Your Own Olive Garden Night At Home!
Why deal with the hassle of crowds and waiting lines when you can host your very own Olive Garden Night at Home? It’s a treasured tradition in our family, and this Zuppa Toscana recipe is just the beginning. To complete your authentic Italian-American feast, be sure to grab the signature salad and dressing recipe, along with our irresistible copycat breadstick recipe. Transform an ordinary evening into an extraordinary culinary celebration!
Now, let’s gather our ingredients and make some incredible Zuppa! 
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Print Recipe
Zuppa Toscana – Olive Garden Copy Cat Recipe
Equipment
- Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Classic Red Enamel Dutch Oven (Island Spice Red)
- 12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1½ tsp crushed red peppers
- 1 large diced white onion
- 4 Tbsp bacon pieces I bought the REAL bacon pieces in the salad section, worked great and not as much grease
- 2 tsp garlic puree
- 10 cups water
- 5 cubes of chicken bouillon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lb sliced Russet potatoes or about 3 large potatoes (sliced with skins left on)
- ¼ of a bunch of kale chopped I used my kitchen shears
Instructions
- Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
- In the same pan, sauté bacon, onions and garlic for approximately 15 mins. or until the onions are soft.
- Mix together the chicken bouillon and water, then add it to the onions, bacon and garlic. Cook until boiling.
- Add potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
- Add heavy cream and cook until thoroughly heated.
- Stir in the sausage.
- Add kale just before serving.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on October 17, 2011. It has been updated to improve user experience and re-shared on April 10, 2022.