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Creamy Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe Easy One-Pot Meal

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A quick and comforting one-pot soup inspired by Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana, featuring spicy Italian sausage, tender potatoes, kale, and a creamy broth.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
  • 3 medium russet potatoes (about 1 pound), peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chopped kale (about 120g), tough stems removed
  • 4 cups chicken broth (950ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 pound of spicy Italian sausage, crumbling it with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Add 1 medium chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in 3 thinly sliced medium russet potatoes. Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
  4. Add 4 cups chopped kale, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), salt, and pepper to taste. Stir well and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until kale wilts but still has texture.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low and slowly pour in 1 cup heavy cream, stirring gently. Heat through but do not boil to avoid curdling.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls and serve immediately.

Notes

Brown the sausage well for depth of flavor. Slice potatoes about 1/8 inch thick to avoid mushiness. Remove tough kale stems for better texture. Stir gently after adding cream to prevent curdling. Red pepper flakes add subtle heat but are optional. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk. For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently with added broth if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: Zuppa Toscana, Olive Garden copycat, creamy soup, Italian sausage soup, one-pot meal, comfort food, kale soup, easy dinner

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/creamy-copycat-olive-garden-zuppa-toscana-recipe-easy-one-pot-meal/