Description
Crockpot Zuppa Toscana with Sausage and Kale is a hearty, comforting soup that combines savory Italian sausage, tender kale, creamy potatoes, and a luscious broth slow-cooked to perfection. This easy-to-make recipe is packed with rich flavors, nutrients, and warmth, making it ideal for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a wholesome, cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage & Aromatics
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables & Greens
- 4 medium russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, diced uniformly
- 4 cups fresh kale, roughly chopped
Liquids & Seasonings
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into smaller pieces, until nicely browned and cooked through to distribute flavor evenly.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until fragrant and translucent to bring out natural sweetness and depth.
- Assemble in the Crockpot: Transfer browned sausage, sautéed onion and garlic, diced potatoes, kale, and chicken broth into your crockpot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook: Set crockpot to low and cook soup for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, allowing potatoes to tenderize and flavors to meld.
- Finish with Cream: During the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in heavy cream or half-and-half along with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. This adds a creamy richness and smooth texture.
Notes
- Use high-quality Italian sausage for best flavor.
- Don’t skip browning the sausage and sautéing aromatics to build deep flavors.
- Chop potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and avoid mushiness.
- Add kale during the last hour of cooking if you prefer a fresher texture and vibrant color.
- Adjust seasoning at the end, especially after adding cream, to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Soups & Stews
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 55mg