Description
Olive Garden zuppa toscana soup delivers hearty Italian comfort with lean turkey sausage and crisp kale. Creamy potato base and savory herbs create a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delicious spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) turkey sausage, casing removed
Vegetables and Greens:
- 4 medium russet potatoes, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups kale, chopped
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) water
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown turkey sausage in a large pot over medium heat, breaking into crumbles until fully cooked. Transfer to a separate plate.
- In the same pot, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and aromatic, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and water, then add sliced potatoes. Bring to a gentle boil and reduce heat, allowing potatoes to simmer until fork-tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Return cooked turkey sausage to the pot, then incorporate chopped kale and red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly and allow ingredients to meld together for 4-5 minutes.
- Lower heat and slowly pour in heavy cream, gently stirring to integrate and prevent curdling. Maintain a low simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Ladle the soup into warm bowls and serve immediately while hot, garnishing with optional fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Swap traditional pork sausage with lean turkey sausage for a healthier, lower-fat version of this classic Italian soup.
- Use gluten-free chicken broth and skip flour-based thickeners to make the recipe completely gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
- Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- For a dairy-free alternative, replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to maintain the soup’s rich, creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 282 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg