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Easy Zuppa Toscana Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 123 reviews

This Easy Zuppa Toscana recipe is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired soup featuring savory sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and nutritious kale in a creamy broth. Perfect for a cozy meal, it combines rich flavors and simple ingredients to create a delicious homemade soup that’s ready in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein

  • 5 strips of thick-cut bacon
  • 1 pound Italian sausage

Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 large red potatoes, diced with skins on
  • 1 small bunch of kale, torn into bite-sized pieces, stems removed

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 2 cups chicken broth (or beef broth)
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare and cook bacon: Using kitchen shears or a knife, cut the thick-cut bacon into small pieces and add them to a pot. Cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes to give the bacon a head start and begin rendering the fat.
  2. Add and brown sausage: Add the Italian sausage meat to the pot with the bacon. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally for 15 or more minutes until the sausage and bacon are nicely browned and crispy. If there’s excess fat in the pot, spoon out some of it, leaving a few tablespoons for flavor.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
  4. Add broth, water, potatoes, and seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth and water. Add the diced red potatoes and sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the mixture.
  5. Simmer the soup: Turn the heat up to high and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to medium-low heat and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes become tender when pierced with a fork.
  6. Finish with cream and kale: Stir in the heavy cream and torn kale pieces. Cook for a further 5 minutes until the kale softens and the soup is heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve warm.

Notes

  • Using thick-cut bacon adds extra flavor and texture to the soup.
  • Feel free to use beef broth instead of chicken broth for a deeper flavor.
  • Keep the potato skins on for added texture and nutrients.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the soup will be less rich.
  • Remove excess fat carefully to avoid making the soup greasy but leave enough for flavor enhancement.

Keywords: Zuppa Toscana, Italian soup recipe, creamy sausage soup, kale soup, potato soup, easy stovetop soup

Find it online: https://topreci.com/easy-zuppa-toscana-recipe/