Description
Zuppa Toscana is a hearty and comforting Italian soup featuring spicy Italian sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and nutrient-rich kale simmered in a creamy chicken broth. This rustic soup combines savory and creamy flavors for a perfect bowl on chilly days, offering a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 6 slices bacon (diced)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small sweet onion (diced)
- 4 cups potatoes (peeled and cut into ½” cubes)
- 2 cups kale (chopped) or fresh spinach
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Liquids & Dairy
- 5 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add the diced bacon. Cook for about 5 minutes until crispy. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot for flavor.
- Sauté Sausage and Onion: Add the Italian sausage and diced onion to the pot. Cook while crumbling the sausage until the sausage is browned and no longer pink and the onion is translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
- Simmer Potatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the cubed potatoes and reduce heat to a medium simmer. Let cook for 10-12 minutes, or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Add Greens: Stir in the chopped kale (or spinach) and cook just until the greens begin to wilt.
- Finish with Bacon and Cream: Return most of the cooked bacon to the pot, reserving some for garnish. Stir in the heavy cream and heat the soup gently for 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with reserved crumbled bacon, and serve alongside warm breadsticks for a complete meal.
Notes
- You may substitute kale with fresh spinach for a milder flavor.
- Use low sodium chicken broth to better control the saltiness of the soup.
- Adjust the amount of heavy cream to preference for creaminess and calorie content.
- For a spicier soup, use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet.
- This soup reheats well and flavors intensify after a day.
