Best Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe for Lazy Sundays (2025)

Some recipes just warm your soul. Zuppa Toscana is a creamy, hearty dish loaded with Italian sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and vibrant kale. It’s no wonder this soup has become one of the most popular dishes at Olive Garden.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to head to the restaurant to enjoy it. With simple ingredients and just one pot, you can whip up this comforting dish right in your kitchen.

This guide walks you step by step through making the best homemade Zuppa Toscana. We’ll cover everything from ingredient prep, substitutions, cooking tips, serving suggestions, and even storage instructions so you can enjoy this soup anytime.

Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a chilly winter night, this is the kind of meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.

What Is Zuppa Toscana?

Zuppa Toscana is more than just a soup, it’s a complete, comforting meal in a bowl that’s made its mark as Olive Garden’s most beloved soup. But don’t let the Italian name intimidate you.

While Zuppa Toscana means “Tuscan soup,” the American version popularized in restaurants is a unique take that blends rustic Italian roots with hearty, home-cooked vibes.

This creamy, flavor-packed dish combines:

• Spicy Italian sausage for a savory kick
• Crispy bacon to add smoky richness
• Tender potatoes that hold their shape and soak up all the goodness
• Fresh kale for color and a pop of green
• Creamy broth that brings it all together

Imagine your favorite meat and potato stew, now give it a glow-up with cream, garlic, and greens. That’s Zuppa Toscana.

It’s the kind of soup you crave when it’s raining, snowing, or when life simply calls for something cozy and filling. Best of all? It’s made in just one pot, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a complete breakdown of all the ingredients used in this one-pot wonder, including helpful notes and alternatives to customize the recipe to your preferences:

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose & Notes
Bacon	6 slices	Adds smoky flavor and richness. Cook until crispy for the best texture.
Yellow Onion	1 medium, diced	Builds depth of flavor and helps deglaze the pot after cooking the bacon.
Garlic	5 cloves, minced	Boosts aroma and flavor. The cream softens its sharpness, don’t worry about it being overpowering.
Spicy Italian Sausage	1 pound	The heart of the soup. Use mild or sweet sausage if you prefer less heat.
Yukon Gold or White Potatoes	1½ pounds, diced	Holds shape well when cooked. Russets work too, but may break down more.
Kale (Dino or Curly)	4 cups, roughly chopped	Adds color and nutrition. Can substitute with spinach, chard, or other greens.
Italian Seasoning	1 teaspoon	Classic herb blend to round out the flavor.
Chicken Broth (Low Sodium)	6 cups	Base for the soup. You can do 4 cups of broth + 2 cups of water to stretch it.
Heavy Cream	1 cup	Gives the soup a rich, velvety texture. Substitute with half-and-half if needed.
Salt & Black Pepper	To taste	Season according to your taste preferences.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Zuppa Toscana Soup

This homemade Zuppa Toscana soup is cozy, hearty, and surprisingly simple to make. With a handful of wholesome ingredients and one big pot, you’ll be dishing out warm, comforting bowls in no time.

Let’s walk through every step from chopping and sautéing to simmering and serving so your soup turns out creamy, flavorful, and satisfying.

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Before the cooking begins, it’s worth taking a few minutes to prepare everything ahead of time. Mise en place (a fancy French term for “everything in its place”) pays off here. With all your ingredients prepped and ready to go, the rest of the process is smooth and stress-free.

🧅 Dice the Onion

Start by dicing one yellow onion. Yellow onions are great for soups—they’re mildly sweet and mellow as they cook. Once diced, set the onion aside in a small bowl.

Pro Tip: Onions also help pick up the flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan (leftover from the bacon), which adds even more depth to your soup.

🥔 Cube the Potatoes

Next, grab about 1½ pounds of Yukon gold or white potatoes. Dice them into bite-sized cubes around 1 inch in size. Yukon golds are ideal because they’re waxy and hold their shape during cooking. Russets work too, but they’re starchier and more likely to fall apart.

Optional Swap: Sweet potatoes or even cauliflower chunks for a different spin.

Once diced, place the potatoes in a separate bowl; they’ll be added later in the process.

🥬 Prep the Kale

Now it’s time to bring in the greens. You’ll need about 4 cups of roughly chopped kale. If you’re using Dino kale (a.k.a. lacinato or Tuscan kale), the leaves are darker, flatter, and a bit more tender than curly kale. But any variety works!

To strip kale leaves from their stems, start at the bottom and run your fingers upward along the stalk. The leafy part should separate easily. Then roughly chop the leaves and measure about 4 packed cups.

Greens Tip: Want more greens? Add an extra stem or two. The more, the better!

🥓 Slice the Bacon

You’ll need 6 slices of bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces. This makes them perfect for even distribution in the soup. You don’t need to separate them just yet, they’ll come apart in the pot as they crisp up.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

Time to get things sizzling. Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add your chopped bacon. If your bacon pieces are clumped together, gently separate them with your fingers as you place them into the pot.

Let the bacon cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns golden and crispy.

Important Note: You want it crispy, not just browned. This is key because the bacon will soften once it’s stirred into the soup later. Starting with crispy bits ensures you’ll still get that delicious, smoky bite even after simmering.

Once it’s crispy, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Leave about 1–2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.

Too Much Grease? If your bacon is especially fatty, you should spoon out some excess grease.

Step 3: Sauté Onion and Garlic

With the flavorful bacon drippings still in the pot, turn the heat to medium-high and add your diced onions. Stir them around and cook for 3–4 minutes, until they become soft and translucent.

As the onions cook, they’ll absorb the leftover bacon flavor and help lift those delicious browned bits (called fond) from the bottom of the pot. That’s where the magic starts.

After the onions soften, add in your 5 cloves of garlic, freshly minced. Stir it in and sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until fragrant.

Flavor Note: Even though 5 cloves might seem like a lot, don’t worry, it’s mellowed out beautifully by the creamy broth later. No harsh garlic taste here, just savory depth.

Step 4: Cook the Sausage

Now it’s time to add the star of the show: spicy Italian sausage. Drop in 1 pound of ground sausage and use your spatula to break it up into small chunks as it cooks.

Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and fully cooked through. It doesn’t need to be super crispy, just entirely done.

No Ground Sausage? If you can only find sausage links, just remove the casings and use the meat inside. It works the same way.

Watch the Spice Level: Spicy Italian sausage varies a lot between brands. If you’re unsure or cooking for kids, go with mild or sweet sausage. Prefer a bit of heat? Grab the hot version for an extra kick.

Step 5: Build the Soup Base

Here’s where the soup comes together.

Add Potatoes

Toss your diced Yukon gold potatoes into the pot. Stir them to mix with the sausage, onions, and garlic.

Season

Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the pot. This blend of herbs adds that cozy, familiar flavor that makes Zuppa Toscana feel like a warm Italian hug.

Pour in the Broth

Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth. You can use store-bought low-sodium broth or a mix of broth and water (e.g., 4 cups broth + 2 cups water) if you want to reduce sodium or stretch your broth.

Give everything a good stir to combine.

Simmer

Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

Don’t overcook the potatoes! Once they’re soft, move to the next step to avoid them turning mushy.

Step 6: Add Greens and Bacon

Once your potatoes are perfectly tender, it’s time to add the color and crunch.

Stir in the Kale

Add your chopped kale to the pot. Stir it in gently. It may look like a lot at first, but the kale wilts quickly and blends into the soup beautifully.

Leafy Options: Feel free to use spinach, Swiss chard, or a blend of greens if that’s what you have on hand.

Add Back the Bacon

Now grab your crispy bacon and stir it into the soup.

Optional Garnish: Want that picture-perfect bowl? Save a small handful of bacon pieces to sprinkle on top just before serving.

Let everything simmer for a few minutes, allowing the greens to soften and the flavors to begin mingling.

Step 7: Finish with Cream

Here comes the luscious final touch.

Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and stir well. This step transforms your broth from a basic soup into a rich, silky stew that feels indulgent without being overly heavy.

Raise the heat slightly and bring the soup back to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble softly for another 5 minutes, just enough time for all the ingredients to meld together.

Taste Test: Add salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. The broth, sausage, and bacon already bring some salt, so taste before adding more.

Serving Suggestions: How to Turn Zuppa Toscana into a Meal

Zuppa Toscana is more than just soup, it’s comfort in a bowl. But with a few thoughtful additions, you can elevate it into a complete, satisfying meal that feels like an Italian restaurant experience right at home.

Whether you’re hosting guests, feeding your family, or enjoying a cozy night in, here are some creative ways to serve and enjoy your homemade Zuppa Toscana:

🥖 Serve with Bread (Always a Good Idea!)

There’s nothing quite like dunking a piece of bread into a hot, creamy soup. Serve your Zuppa Toscana with:

• Warm breadsticks: Just like Olive Garden’s classic pairing
• Garlic toast: Crispy, buttery, and perfect for dipping
• Crusty sourdough: Holds up well and adds a rustic touch

Want to go all-in? Rub your bread with fresh garlic and toast it in olive oil for next-level flavor.

🥗 Pair with a Fresh Italian Salad

Balance out the richness of the soup with a crisp salad. A classic Italian chopped salad with romaine, tomatoes, red onions, pepperoncini, olives, and a zesty vinaigrette adds brightness and crunch to the meal.

🧀 Add Toppings for Extra Flair

Let your family or guests customize their bowls:

• Extra bacon crumbles for crunch
• Shredded Parmesan cheese for more savory depth
• Red pepper flakes, if you like it spicier
• A drizzle of olive oil for richness

🍷 Drink Pairings

For a casual meal, water with lemon or iced tea will do. But for a cozy dinner date or weekend indulgence, pair your soup with:

• Pinot Grigio: Light and crisp to balance the creaminess
• Chianti: A rich Italian red that complements the sausage
  

🍽️ Make it a Themed Night

Want to go all in with the Olive Garden vibes? Pair your Zuppa Toscana with:

• Homemade Chicken Marsala
• Shrimp Scampi
• Pasta Alfredo or Lasagna for a feast

Light a candle, throw on some Italian jazz, and you’ve got yourself a comforting, homemade restaurant experience, no reservation required.

Tips for the Best Zuppa Toscana

Even though this soup is simple to make, a few tips will ensure it turns out amazing every single time.

1. Cook the Bacon Until It’s Truly Crispy

Since the bacon goes back into the soup and simmers, it will soften slightly. That’s why you should cook it until crispy at first. Soft bacon won’t hold up, and you’ll miss that satisfying crunch.

Save a few crispy bits to sprinkle on top of each bowl for the best texture.

2. Use Waxy Potatoes for Structure

Yukon gold or white potatoes are best because they hold their shape after simmering. Russets will work, but they tend to break down and make the soup a little starchier.

Uniform, bite-sized cubes ensure even cooking and the perfect spoonful every time.

3. Adjust the Spice Level to Your Taste

Italian sausage can vary a lot in heat. Some are extra fiery, while others are more mellow. Try different brands or opt for mild or sweet sausage if you’re not into spice.

You can always add heat with crushed red pepper, but you can’t take it away once it’s in.

4. Don’t Overcook the Potatoes or Kale

Keep an eye on the simmer time once the potatoes go in. You want them fork-tender, not mushy. The same goes for the kale, add it only in the final 5–10 minutes so it stays bright and vibrant, not soggy.

5. Let It Rest Before Serving

After adding the cream and giving the soup one final simmer, let it sit for a few minutes before serving. This gives all the flavors a chance to meld and makes the soup even more delicious.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Want to tweak the recipe to match your diet, taste preferences, or what you have in the fridge? No problem! Zuppa Toscana is incredibly flexible. Use this table as a guide to swap ingredients or put your spin on this cozy classic.

Original Ingredient	Substitution	Why or When to Use It
Spicy Italian Sausage	Mild or Sweet Italian Sausage	Great if you prefer less heat or are cooking for kids
	Chicken or Turkey Sausage	A leaner, lighter option with less fat
	Vegan Sausage	For a vegetarian or plant-based version
Bacon	Turkey Bacon	Slightly healthier, lower fat
	Omit altogether	For a lighter or vegetarian dish
Yellow Onion	White or Sweet Onion	Similar flavor, slightly different intensity
Garlic	Garlic Powder (½ tsp per clove)	If you’re out of fresh garlic
Yukon Gold Potatoes	Russet Potatoes	Works in a pinch; soup will be starchier
	Sweet Potatoes	For a slightly sweet and nutrient-rich twist
	Cauliflower Florets	Low-carb or keto-friendly substitute
Kale	Spinach	Softer, faster-cooking green
	Swiss Chard or Collard Greens	Hearty greens that stand up well in soup
Chicken Broth	Vegetable Broth	Vegetarian-friendly base
	Bone Broth	Extra rich in protein and nutrients
Heavy Cream	Half-and-Half	Lighter, less rich
	Coconut Cream or Oat Cream	Dairy-free alternative; coconut adds a subtle sweetness

Pro Tip: Try small changes first, like switching the greens or adjusting the sausages, then experiment with bigger swaps over time.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something hearty, creamy, and soul-warming, Zuppa Toscana is the answer. It’s not just another soup, it’s a complete, satisfying meal packed with layers of flavor, from spicy sausage and crispy bacon to tender potatoes and vibrant kale, all swimming in a rich, velvety broth.

What makes this soup so special? It’s simple, one-pot magic. No fancy tools. No hard-to-find ingredients. Just good old-fashioned comfort food made right in your kitchen.

Perfect for cold nights, rainy days, or anytime you want to treat yourself (or your family) to something cozy and indulgent.

And the best part? It reheats beautifully. So go ahead, make a big batch, pour yourself a bowl, and save the rest for tomorrow.

Craving more creamy, cozy soups? Check these out next!

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