Zuppa Toscana Recipe (a la Olive Garden) (2024)

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This Zuppa Toscana soup recipe (inspired by The Olive Garden) is quick and easy to make, naturally gluten-free, and SO comforting and delicious! Stovetop, slow cooker and Instant Pot (pressure cooker) instructions included below.

Zuppa Toscana Recipe (a la Olive Garden) (1)

Somehow, in all my 27 long years of life, I was never introduced to The Olive Garden’s famous “Zuppa Toscana” soup — until this week.

One of my good friends lives right by the OG, and suggested we pop over for their unlimited soup/salad lunch on our day off. And then she insisted — as I was about to order the minestrone — that I try the creamy zuppa instead. I actually really like a good minestrone, but decided to take her word for it. And oh my goodness, I’m so glad I did.

This soup is the best!!!

(And dare I say, a wee bit dangerous on the “unlimited” menu, ha.)

Seriously, I couldn’t get enough of it. So of course I had to come home and try making a batch for myself. Turns out, it’s incredibly easy to make at home, easy to lighten up a wee bit (I used half and half instead of traditional heavy cream, and also added in extra kale), and it’s SO comforting and delicious. You’ve gotta try it.

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe | 1-Minute Video

Zuppa Toscana Recipe (a la Olive Garden) (2)

Zuppa Toscana Recipe (a la Olive Garden) (3)

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Zuppa Toscana Recipe (a la Olive Garden) (4)

Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat)

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
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Description

This Zuppa Toscana recipe (inspired by the classic dish at The Olive Garden) is easy to make, full ofthe most delicious zesty Italian flavors, and it’s so cozy and comforting!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage (I recommend spicy)
  • 3 garlic cloves,minced
  • 1 medium white onion,peeled and diced
  • 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
  • 5 to 6 cups chicken stock
  • 2 to 3 cups chopped fresh kale
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper
  • 6 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled

Instructions

  1. Cooksausage in a largestockpot over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, breaking the sausage into small pieces as it cooks.Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a separate plate, reserving 1 tablespoon grease in the stockpot for later*,and discarding the excess grease.(I actually like to briefly rinse my cooked sausage in a strainer to remove even moreexcess grease.)Set aside.
  2. Add onions to the stockpot (with the grease), and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, and sauté for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add the potatoes, chicken stock, and cooked sausage, and continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Stir in the kale and cream, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Serve warm, garnished with the bacon bits.

Notes

Slow Cooker Version:

  1. Cooksausage in a largestockpot over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, breaking the sausage into small pieces as it cooks. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a separate plate.(I actually like to briefly rinse my cooked sausage in a strainer to remove even moreexcess grease.)Set aside.
  2. Add cooked sausage, garlic, onion, potatoes, and chicken stock to a slow cooker, and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or on high heat for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are tender. Stir in thekale and cream, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Serve warm, garnished with the bacon bits.

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Version:

  1. Pressthe “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot. Add the Italian sausage, and sauté until browned and cooked through, breaking the sausage into small pieces as it cooks. Press “Cancel” on the Instant Pot.Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a separate plate, and drain and discard the excess grease in the Instant Pot.(I actually like to briefly rinse my cooked sausage in a strainer to remove even moreexcess grease.)
  2. Add cooked sausage, garlic, onion, potatoes, and chicken stock to the bowl of the Instant Pot, and stir to combine.
  3. Press “Manual”, then press “Pressure” until the light on “High Pressure” lights up, then adjust the +/- buttonsuntil time reads 10 minutes. Cook. Then very carefully, turn the vent to “Venting” for quick release, and wait until all of the steam has released and the valve has dropped. Remove the lid.
  4. Stir in thekale and cream, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve warm, garnished with the bacon bits.

*Stovetop Version: Ifyou would rathernot sauté the onions in the grease, you can sub in 1 tablespoon olive oil instead.

posted on December 5, 2010 by Ali

Crock-Pot (Slow Cooker), Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker), Main Dishes, Soups / Stews

120 Comments »

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120 comments on “Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat)”

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  1. Gretchen September 7, 2023 @ 8:07 am Reply

    This was ridiculously good. Very easy to make and quick to the table. All of my family loved it and had seconds. I didn’t add the bacon, in my opinion, it didn’t need it. I used the spicy sausage, it added a good amount of heat without being too spicy. This will become a regular for us!

  2. Suzy W September 16, 2023 @ 7:11 pm Reply

    This is the copy cat recipe I’ve been looking for! I added the bacon when I added the potatoes and chicken stock, and added red pepper flakes while everything was simmering at the end. With those two additions, it tastes just like it used to when I worked at OG.

  3. Brittany Mandera October 26, 2023 @ 4:10 am Reply

    This is the best soup I’ve ever made! I did bear Italian sausage, spinach instead of kale and added chantrelle mushrooms. It was to die for! Definitely making again. Thank you so much 🧡

  4. Debbie December 4, 2023 @ 2:38 am Reply

    We’ve been making this soup in the Instant Pot for a few years and it’s amazingly delicious and so fast. Serve with a fresh baguette and we’re in heaven!

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Zuppa Toscana Recipe (a la Olive Garden) (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular soup at Olive Garden? ›

Zuppa Toscana – Olive Garden Copycat (VIDEO) Zuppa Toscana is Olive Garden's most popular soup. This one-pot, homemade Zuppa Toscana recipe is hearty and loaded with Italian sausage, kale, bacon and potatoes.

Does Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana have meat? ›

Zuppa Toscana - Spicy Italian sausage, fresh kale and russet potatoes in a creamy broth. Made with gluten-free ingredients.

Is Olive Garden soup made from scratch? ›

Our soup and sauce masters create dishes by hand and from scratch, every day. With fresh, whole ingredients like kale, peppers and squash. Because they know cooking that way – the Italian way- everything tastes better. to everything they make.

What is Zuppa Toscana soup made of? ›

It is a creamy soup made with Italian sausage, bacon, tender potatoes, garlic, and kale. It is rich, hearty, and flavorful. No wonder it is so popular. Well, good news, you don't have to go to the Olive Garden to enjoy this soup.

What is the difference between zuppa Toscana and minestrone? ›

Zuppa Toscana has a thicker consistency due to the addition of cream or milk, which gives it a velvety smoothness. On the other hand, Minestrone has a more broth-like consistency with chunks of vegetables and beans creating a heartier texture.

Are La Zuppa soups healthy? ›

"La Zuppa" is Italian for soup. Made with the finest and freshest ingredients to a traditional recipe, it is a healthy and convenient alternative to making your own soup at home. - 99% fat free.

Do they eat zuppa Toscana in Italy? ›

Zuppa toscana ( lit. 'Tuscan soup'), also known in Italy as minestra di pane ( lit. 'bread soup'), is a soup from the region of Tuscany, northern Italy. While there are many variations, its most common ingredients are cannellini beans, potatoes, and kale.

What is the serving size for Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup? ›

The serving size for all soups is 8 fluid ounces.

What oil does Olive Garden use? ›

We use highly refined canola oil or highly refined soy oil in our fryers. Based on information from our suppliers, these oils are highly refined and do not include any soy protein.

What pasta does Olive Garden use? ›

Spaghetti, fettuccine, angel hair, pastas you would typically buy dry is exactly what they use at Olive Garden.

Is Olive Garden soup microwaved? ›

The soups are made in-house daily—but all the desserts are frozen. The pasta, however, is made to order. The restaurant only uses microwaves for heating dipping sauces and warming desserts. Otherwise, everything is pan fried, deep fried, or grilled.

Is Olive Garden soup actually unlimited? ›

According to the company's website, as long as you're dining in and are ready to enjoy refills of either soup or salad, you can technically enjoy as much as you can possibly eat in one sitting. But can anything truly be "unlimited" without a catch, even at Olive Garden? The answer is yes ... and no.

What do you eat Zuppa Toscana with? ›

The best side dishes to serve with Zuppa Toscana are cornbread, green beans almondine, scalloped potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, potato skins, rosemary bread, strawberry walnut salad, steamed asparagus, blooming onion, garlic knots, caprese salad, fried zucchini sticks, and prosciutto-wrapped melon.

How long does Zuppa Toscana last in the fridge? ›

How long does Zuppa Toscana last in the fridge? Once prepared and then safely stored, Zuppa Toscana Soup stays fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge, but we find this soup to be best the same day it's made. To reheat the soup, add to a pot over low heat.

What is Olive Garden most known for? ›

The dishes we're known for.

Our signature garden salad and freshly baked breadsticks with Never Ending servings of your choice of homemade soup. Never Ending refills of Soup, Salad & Breadsticks available dine-in only.

What is the best soup to eat? ›

Our 20 Top-Rated Soups Give You Comfort By the Bowlful
  • 01 of 20. Italian Sausage Soup. ...
  • 02 of 20. Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup. ...
  • 03 of 20. Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. ...
  • 04 of 20. Delicious Ham and Potato Soup. ...
  • 05 of 20. Super-Delicious Zuppa Toscana. ...
  • 06 of 20. Jamie's Minestrone. ...
  • 07 of 20. ...
  • 08 of 20.
Oct 31, 2022

How big is a bowl of soup at Olive Garden? ›

The serving size for all soups is 8 fluid ounces. ToGo orders receive 16 fluid ounces.

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