There’s nothing better than a comforting bowl of Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana. This hearty soup remains a consistent diner favorite and is easily the chain’s most famous soup and the Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana recipe is highly sought after. Once you try a bite, you won’t be surprised! We cut out the middle man and experimented in the kitchen to create Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana that tastes identical to Olive Garden’s.
Even a novice chef can make this recipe. If you can handle chopping a few veggies and browning meat, you can make a batch of Zuppa! You won’t believe the money you’ll save by making it yourself. Plus, you can skip the table wait times and dinner rush traffic.
This soup contains a decadent mixture of spicy Italian sausage, fresh kale, diced potatoes, and cream. To throw it back to the 90s, this is genuinely “soup for the soul.” Traditional Zuppa Toscana simmers all day, but this recipe comes together in a little over an hour. It’s the ideal soup for a rainy day, especially when paired with our Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks! Without further ado, here’s an in-depth tutorial on creating Olive Garden’s signature soup.
All About Zuppa Toscana
What’s the deal with Zuppa Toscana? Here’s the lowdown.
- Zuppa Toscana originated in Tuscany and is also known as “bread soup.” Italians would mix stale bread into the soup, giving it a yeasty flavor. This was a frugal way to thicken soup and ensure nothing went to waste.
- Traditional Zuppa Toscana contains beans, potatoes, chicken broth, and bacon. American versions generally eliminate the beans but keep the rest. If you’re feeling nostalgic, add a cup of white Northern beans. They’ll make the soup even richer!
- Zuppa Toscana was created during a time when frugality was prioritized. What a fitting sentiment for today! The base ingredients of beans and potatoes allowed families to have a creamy soup that didn’t use all of their dairy.
- Americans usually consume their Zuppa Toscana right after cooking it, but Italians prefer to let the flavors mesh for a day or so. You can get the safe effect by cooking the soup on low in your crockpot all day or simply reheating leftovers.
RELATED: Olive Garden Bread Dipping Oil Recipe
Cost Benefits of Making Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
It’s no secret that the cost of eating out is through the roof. Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana costs diners at least $8.49. Sadly, the chain’s never-ending soup, salad, or breadsticks are only available when you purchase an adult entree, so that price covers one bowl.
In contrast, you can make a large pot of our Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana for just $11. That is an insane price difference, especially considering it covers the entire family! Keep in mind that this may differ based on your locale and ingredient availability.
Here’s how that breaks down:
- Butter: $0.05
- Onion: $0.50
- Spicy Italian sausage: $4.00
- Garlic: $0.50
- Chicken broth: $2.00
- Russet potatoes: $0.88
- Fresh kale: $1.00
- Whipping cream: $1.00
- Salt: $0.02
- Pepper: $0.05
- Bacon crumbles: $1.00
Grand Total: $11.00
How to Make Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe
Check out these step-by-step instructions to help you create the best-ever batch of Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana.
Step One: Saute the Veggies and Meat
Add the butter to a large Dutch oven or soup pot and melt over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook for 5-7 minutes, until translucent. Then, add the Italian sausage and cook until browned. Last, add the pressed garlic, cooking until fragrant. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Step Two: Add Broth and Potatoes
Pour the broth and water into the Dutch oven and add the diced potatoes. Bring the soup to a rolling boil, then let simmer for about 15 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Step Three: Simmer and Serve
When the potatoes are tender, add the chopped kale and sausage/veggie mixture. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the cream, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Garnish with bacon bits, if desired. Enjoy!
What to Serve With Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
This soup goes great with our Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks. You can also serve it with a side salad or a pasta entree. Garnish your Zuppa Toscana with freshly shaved Parmesan, bacon bits, or even parsley.
RELATED: The Delicious Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Storing Leftover Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
Leftover soup can be stored in the fridge for 4 days or frozen for up to 5 months. The amount of dairy in the soup is so low that it won’t affect the overall texture when reheated. This is an awesome freezer meal that you can stow away for busy days.
My Favorite Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe: A Taste of Tuscany
Transport yourself to Italy or Olive Garden by whipping up a batch of Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana. This soup features a hearty mix of potatoes, kale, Italian sausage, and onion. Cook it on the stovetop or let it simmer all day in the crockpot. Either way, you’ll have an Italian-inspired meal the entire family will love!
- Dutch Oven
- Spatula
- 1 tablespoon butter (unsalted)
- 1 count onion (diced)
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage (ground)
- 2 count cloves of garlic (fresh-pressed)
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium suggested)
- 2 cups water
- 3-4 count Russet potatoes (diced)
- 3-4 cups fresh kale (chopped)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream ((or heavy cream))
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (add more at end if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 count bacon crumbles (garnish)
Add the butter to a large Dutch oven or soup pot and melt over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook for 5-7 minutes, until translucent.
Then, add the Italian sausage and cook until browned. Last, add the pressed garlic, cooking until fragrant. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Pour the broth and water into the Dutch oven and add the diced potatoes. Bring the soup to a rolling boil, then let simmer for about 15 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
When the potatoes are tender, add the chopped kale and sausage/veggie mixture. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the cream, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Garnish with bacon bits, if desired. Enjoy!