Zuppa Toscana Soup Olive Garden Recipe

You most likely recall the warm bowl of Zuppa Toscana Soup with endless refills if you’ve ever visited Olive Garden.

It is comforting, warm, and creamy. On the first spoon, a lot of people fell in love with it.

Zuppa Toscana Soup Olive Garden Recipe

The good news is that you can prepare this soup at home and it tastes just like it does in a restaurant.

This recipe for Zuppa Toscana Soup Olive Garden is straightforward, approachable, and made at home.

I’ve prepared this soup numerous times for cold evenings and family gatherings. The pot always runs out quickly. You can determine whether a dish is successful in this way.

What Is Zuppa Toscana Soup?

Tuscan soup is known as Zuppa Toscana. Sausage, potatoes, kale, cream, and broth are the ingredients of Olive Garden’s creamy soup.

It tastes rich, but it’s light enough to eat more than one bowl.

People love it because:

  • It feels cozy and reassuring.
  • Its ingredients are basic.
  • At home, it has restaurant-caliber flavor.

 This soup feels like a hug in a bowl.

Why Does This Olive Garden Style Recipe Work at Home?

A lot of imitation recipes are similar but not flawless. This one emphasizes harmony. Not heavy, but creamy. Not too hot, yet spicy. Filling but not dull.

What makes this recipe special:

  • uses regular groceries
  • Cooking in a single pot
  • In less than 45 minutes, ready
  • Simple to modify for taste

Ingredients You Will Need:

Everything you require is right here. Keep things fresh and uncomplicated.

Main Ingredients List:

  • Italian sausage
  • Russet potatoes
  • Fresh kale
  • Heavy cream
  • Yellow onion
  • Garlic cloves
  • Chicken broth
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Olive oil

Ingredient Table for Easy Shopping:

IngredientAmountNotes
Italian sausage1 poundMild or spicy
Potatoes4 mediumThin slices
Kale1 bunchChopped
Chicken broth4 cupsLow sodium is best
Heavy cream1 cupFull fat
Onion1 mediumDiced
Garlic3 clovesMinced
Olive oil1 tbspFor cooking
Red pepper flakesTo tasteOptional
Salt and pepperTo tasteAdjust slowly

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions:

Proceed in the following order. Enjoy the process and take your time.

Step 1: Cook the Sausage:

  • A big pot should be heated at medium heat.
  • Pour in some olive oil.
  • Break up the sausage after adding it.
  • Cook until well cooked and browned.
  • Take out the sausage and put it aside.

Pro Tip: Don’t completely drain the fat. A tiny bit enhances flavor.

Step 2: Cook Onion and Garlic:

  • Add the chopped onion to the same pot.
  • Cook until tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds.

Already, the scent will be wonderful.

Step 3: Add Potatoes and Broth:

  • Add the potato slices.
  • Add the chicken broth.
  • Bring to a low boil.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer for fifteen minutes.

Pro Tip: Before proceeding to the following stage, examine the potatoes with a fork. The potatoes should maintain their shape while the fork slides in with ease. This prevents the soup from becoming mushy while maintaining its creamy texture.

Step 4: Add Kale and Sausage:

  • Return the cooked sausage to the pot.
  • Add the chopped kale.
  • Simmer for five minutes.

Suggestion: To preserve its fresh flavor and avoid dulling or overcooking, simmer the kale just until it softens and maintains its vibrant green color.

Step 5: Add Cream and Seasoning:

  • Add the heavy cream.
  • Add the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
  • Gently stir.
  • Simmer for an additional five minutes.

Warning: After adding the cream, don’t boil too much.

Final Taste Check: Sample the soup. If necessary, adjust the spice or salt. Now is your chance to customize it to your liking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

To achieve the finest outcome, steer clear of these easy errors.

  • After adding the cream, boil
  • Cooking the kale too much
  • Overindulging in salt early
  • Cutting potatoes too thickly

How to Make It Taste Even More Like an Olive Garden?

Do you want the atmosphere of a restaurant? Try these suggestions.

  • Use fennel and Italian sausage.
  • Add a tiny bit of bacon fat.
  • Cut potatoes thinly.
  • Make use of full-fat cream

Easy Variations You Can Try at Home:

This soup is adaptable. Here are some entertaining ways to alter it.

1. Healthier Version:

  • Make use of turkey sausage
  • Instead of using cream, use half and half.
  • Add extra kale.

2. Spicy Version:

  • Make use of hot Italian sausage.
  • Add more flakes of red pepper.

3. Dairy Free Version:

  • Make use of coconut cream
  • Don’t add cheese toppings.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve this soup hot with complementary sides.

  • Garlic bread
  • Simple salad
  • Breadsticks
  • Warm dinner rolls

Storage and Reheating Tips:

1. Storage:

  • Freezer: Up to 2 months
  • Fridge: 3 to 4 days

2. Reheating:

  • On low heat, reheat
  • Stir often
  • If thick, add a little broth.

Nutrition Overview:

Despite its rich flavor, this soup is suitable for a variety of diets.

NutrientApprox Value
Calories350 per bowl
ProteinHigh
CarbsModerate
Comfort levelVery high

Why Do People Love This Soup So Much?

It has a unique quality.

  • Warm and satisfying
  • Simple to prepare
  • Family-friendly
  • Ideal for chilly days

It’s one of those dishes that folks keep requesting.

Quick Cooking Timeline:

  1. Prep ingredients: 10 minutes
  2. Cooking time: 30 minutes
  3. Total time: 40 minutes

Fast, easy, and worth it.

A Small Note From My Kitchen: It was a rainy evening at home when I first tried this recipe. Before dinner was ready, everyone gathered in the kitchen due to the overpowering scent. This soup became a keeper at that time.


FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Zuppa Toscana Soup ahead of time?

Yes, the next day it tastes even better.

What potatoes work best?

The greatest texture comes from russet potatoes.

Is kale required?

Yes, it contributes to the traditional flavor of the soup.

Can I use milk instead of cream?

You can, but the soup won’t be as flavorful.


Final Thoughts:

You can have the comforts of a restaurant at home with this Zuppa Toscana Soup Olive Garden Recipe. It is flavorful, simple, and warm.

It will probably become a regular meal in your kitchen once you start making it. You’ll see why folks adore it after giving it a try.

Save For Later 📌

Related Stories

  • Mexican Beef Tacos Recipe

    This Mexican Beef Tacos recipe from Doris Kay’s Recipe of the Week (1974) is a wonderful example of simple, comforting home cooking from a time when meals were meant to be hearty, practical, and shared with family. Using everyday ingredients and straightforward steps, these tacos come together quickly while delivering bold, familiar flavors. Perfect for…

  • How to Make Mexican Tuna Salad?

    This Mexican tuna salad is mayonnaise-free; instead, it features a crunchy combination of fresh vegetables dressed with lemon juice and salt. Easy, fresh, and nutritious. Try it—you won’t regret it! The first time I made this tuna salad, I knew it would become one of my all-time favorite recipes. 20 years later, it’s still on…

  • How to Make Cheese Sauce?

    In this recipe, we’re going to prepare a cheese sauce that can be used as an accompaniment to many dishes. This time, I’m going to use Gouda cheese, which melts very well, but you could also use other cheeses like Emmental, Gruyère, or Cheddar, and you’d still get a very creamy sauce. To flavor this…

  • How to Make Cake Pops? Recipe

    Cake pops are little confections that instantly make people grin. Despite being easy to prepare, they taste fantastic, feel unique, and look adorable. Let me reassure you if you’ve ever seen cake pops at bakeries or gatherings and thought they were difficult. They appear difficult, but they are actually rather simple. This guide will take…

  • Homemade Ramen Recipe (Quick & Simple Guide)

    One of those meals that feels like a warm embrace is homemade ramen. It has a rich flavor and is filling and soothing. A lot of people believe that ramen is just the store-bought quick package, but handmade ramen is a whole different experience. You have control over the flavor, salt, toppings, and affection that…

  • Homemade Biscuits 🍪 From Scratch

    Homemade biscuits are easy, warm, and comforting. They are often associated with family kitchens, leisurely mornings, and carefully prepared fresh food. You don’t require sophisticated tools or knowledge. Just a few basic ingredients and a little time. When you make biscuits at home, you have total control. The taste, the way it feels, the freshness….