Print

Creamy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe Easy Homemade Soup for Cold Nights

Creamy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe - featured image
Print Recipe

A rich and creamy soup featuring Italian sausage, kale, and potatoes in a savory broth, perfect for cozy cold nights. This recipe recreates the beloved Olive Garden classic with a homemade twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, spicy or mild, casings removed
  • 4 medium Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (about 600g), peeled and thinly sliced
  • 4 cups fresh kale (about 120g), chopped and tough stems removed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth (1.4 liters), low-sodium
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (225g), blended smooth
  • ½ cup heavy cream (120ml), optional
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin preferred

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Transfer sausage to a plate and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, add diced onion and cook for about 4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, being careful not to burn.
  3. Add thinly sliced potatoes and pour in chicken broth. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes until potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
  4. While potatoes cook, blend cottage cheese until smooth using a blender or immersion blender.
  5. Stir in chopped kale and reserved sausage. Simmer for 5 minutes until kale softens but retains some bite.
  6. Lower heat and stir in heavy cream (if using), red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, stirring gently. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  7. Serve hot with crusty bread or a light salad. If soup thickens upon cooling, add a splash of broth or water when reheating.

Notes

For dairy-free version, substitute cottage cheese and heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. For low-carb, replace potatoes with cauliflower florets. Remove kale stems to avoid bitterness. Blend cottage cheese smooth for creamy texture without heavy cream. Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for spice level. Soup thickens as it cools; add broth or water when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: Zuppa Toscana, Olive Garden soup, creamy soup, Italian sausage soup, kale soup, potato soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/creamy-olive-garden-zuppa-toscana-recipe-easy-homemade-soup-for-cold-nights/