Description
Zuppa Toscana is a classic Italian soup combining savory Italian sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and fresh kale in a creamy, flavorful broth. It’s a hearty, comforting meal perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a warm, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 pound Italian sausage (spicy or mild)
Vegetables
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups potatoes, diced (Russet or Yukon gold)
- 4 cups fresh kale, roughly chopped
Liquids & Dairy
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 to 1 ½ cups heavy cream
Seasonings & Fats
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional and to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the meat: Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the Italian sausage to the rendered bacon fat and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
- Sauté aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the meat drippings. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until tender and fragrant.
- Cook potatoes: Add diced potatoes and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add kale and cream: Stir in fresh kale and cook just until wilted. Then add heavy cream and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste, stirring to combine.
- Finish and serve: Return crispy bacon to the soup. Stir well and simmer for a few more minutes to meld flavors. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use quality Italian sausage for best flavor.
- Do not overcook kale; add it last to preserve color and texture.
- Use starchy potatoes like Russets for a creamy texture.
- Simmer gently after adding cream to prevent curdling.
- Let soup rest overnight to deepen flavors, if possible.
- Skim excess fat after cooking the meat for a lighter soup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg