Best 2 Zuppa Toscana Soup Olive Garden Clone Recipes

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Zuppa Toscana soup, a culinary delight inspired by the rustic charm of Tuscany. This hearty Italian soup features a harmonious blend of Italian sausage, tender kale, creamy potatoes, and cannellini beans, simmered in a rich broth infused with garlic, onions, and herbs. Served with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and croutons, it's a symphony of flavors that will warm your soul on a chilly day.

This recipe article offers two enticing variations to tantalize your taste buds. The classic Zuppa Toscana soup recipe stays true to the traditional Italian flavors, while the vegetarian Zuppa Toscana soup caters to those with dietary preferences or seeking a meatless option. Both recipes provide step-by-step instructions, ensuring a seamless cooking experience.

Before embarking on your culinary journey, ensure you gather all the essential ingredients. The classic recipe calls for Italian sausage, kale, potatoes, cannellini beans, chicken broth, garlic, onions, dried oregano, salt, pepper, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and croutons. The vegetarian version swaps the Italian sausage for vegetable broth and adds mushrooms for an extra layer of umami.

Once you have your ingredients assembled, follow the detailed instructions to create this delectable soup. The process involves browning the sausage, sautéing vegetables, simmering the soup base, adding kale and potatoes, incorporating the beans and cream, and seasoning to perfection. The vegetarian variation follows a similar procedure, using mushrooms instead of sausage and vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Garnish your steaming bowls of Zuppa Toscana soup with Parmesan cheese and croutons, and prepare to be captivated by its rich aroma. Each spoonful promises a satisfying symphony of flavors and textures, making it the perfect comfort food for any occasion. So, grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP (OLIVE GARDEN CLONE)

Zuppa Toscana Soup (Olive Garden Clone) image

I have tried quite a few different recipes that state they are a Zuppa Toscana Copy Cat but none of them had much flavor and while they were close I set out to make a soup that is Zuppa Toscana.

Provided by Chef Wahoo

Categories Low Protein

Time 1h

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 (32 ounce) kitchen basics chicken stock (don't substitute with broth) or 2 quarts homemade chicken stock (don't substitute with broth)
3 pieces bacon
1 large onion white, diced fine
3 -4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 lb sweet Italian sausage
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch swiss chard or 1 bunch kale, cut into bite size pieces
2/3 cup cream or 2/3 cup half-and-half cream
6 cups water
1/4 teaspoon ground aniseed
1/2-1 teaspoon salt, depending on taste
1 dash red pepper flakes
black pepper

Steps:

Bring chicken stock and water to a light boil and add potatoes.
In a skillet (preferably cast iron or enameled cast iron) cook bacon until somewhat done and remove (but do not add bacon to the soup, save for a BLT or something).
Sauté the onion in the bacon rendering until almost caramelized (golden color).
Remove and put in boiling stock.
In the same skillet add olive oil and cook Italian sausage (with casings removed).
Add garlic with the sausage and cook until sausage is done and the consistency of ground hamburger meat.
Add mixture to the stock.
By this time check to see if potatoes are cooked by trying to squish them on the side of the stock pot.
When they are done reduce heat and add cream and Swiss chard, salt, anise, red pepper, black pepper.
Serve with garlic bread or corn bread (or even better an herbed Parmesan corn bread).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 432.8, Fat 20.8, SaturatedFat 7.8, Cholesterol 48, Sodium 945.6, Carbohydrate 45, Fiber 7.6, Sugar 7.3, Protein 21.1

HEALTHIER ZUPPA TOSCANA (OLIVE GARDEN CLONE)

Healthier Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Clone) image

An attempt to recreate a healthier version of an Olive Garden favorite. If you use sausage with fennel seed, you can omit the aniseed.

Provided by Cook4_6

Categories European

Time 1h

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

3 (32 ounce) low sodium chicken broth
3 pieces bacon, chopped
1 large onion white, diced fine
6 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 lb sweet Italian turkey sausage
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch spinach or 1 bunch kale, cut into bite size pieces
1 cup half-and-half cream, fat-free
1/4 teaspoon ground aniseed
1/2-1 teaspoon salt, depending on taste
1 dash red pepper flakes
black pepper

Steps:

In a large stock pot, cook the bacon until somewhat done.
Add the onion and saute until almost caramelized (golden color).
Add chicken stock and water, then bring to a light boil and add potatoes.
Cook Italian sausage (with casings removed) separately in a skillet.
When nearly done add garlic to the pan and cook until sausage is done and the consistency of ground beef.
Add mixture to the stock.
When the potatoes have softened, gently press some of them to the side of the pan to thicken the soup; leaving some whole.
Add fat free half and half, spinach, salt, aniseed, and peppers.

Tips:

To save time, use pre-cooked sausage and bacon. You can also use frozen kale or spinach if you don't have fresh on hand.
If you want a thicker soup, add more potato or blend some of the soup until smooth.
For a richer flavor, use heavy cream instead of milk. You can also add a tablespoon of butter or olive oil to the soup when you're sautéing the vegetables.
Serve the soup with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and some crusty bread for dipping.

Conclusion:

This Zuppa Toscana soup is a hearty, flavorful, and easy-to-make soup that's perfect for a cold winter day. It's also a great way to use up leftover sausage, potatoes, and kale. So next time you're looking for a delicious and comforting soup, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!