Description
This homemade Zuppa Toscana is the perfect cozy, one-pot meal for cold nights or quick weeknight dinners. Creamy, hearty, and loaded with Italian sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and vibrant kale, it’s everything you crave in a comforting bowl of soup. Ideal for easy dinner ideas, family meals, and anyone looking for quick breakfast-to-dinner recipes. It’s a healthy snack or main course that feels indulgent but is simple to make!
Ingredients
1 lb Italian sausage
4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
4 cups diced Yukon Gold potatoes
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups chopped fresh kale
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Brown the Italian sausage in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and reserve for garnish.
3. Sauté diced onion in the bacon drippings until translucent, about 4–5 minutes.
4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add potatoes and simmer until tender, about 10–12 minutes.
6. Return sausage to the pot. Add chopped kale and cook until wilted, about 3–4 minutes.
7. Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes.
8. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
9. Serve hot, garnished with crispy bacon and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Use Yukon Gold potatoes for the best texture—they won’t fall apart.
Add the cream at the end to avoid curdling; never let the soup boil after that.
Store leftovers before adding cream if you plan to freeze for better texture later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 1100
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 70
Keywords: zuppa toscana, easy dinner, soup recipe, olive garden copycat, comfort food