Zuppa Toscana Soup Olive Garden Recipe

If you’ve ever sat in Olive Garden and wondered, “How in the world can a soup taste this comforting?” — you’re not alone. Their Zuppa Toscana has built a fan base of its own. The creamy broth, tender potatoes, spicy sausage, and fresh kale make it the kind of meal that comforts you from the inside out.

The best part? You can make this famous soup at home, and honestly, it tastes even better when it simmers in your own kitchen. Whether you like using a stovetop, crockpot, Instant Pot, or you want keto, gnocchi, or Whole30 versions — you’ll find them all here.

Let’s dive in, step by step, like a cozy chat over a warm bowl.

🥘 What Makes Zuppa Toscana So Special?

There’s something irresistible about Zuppa Toscana. Maybe it’s the way the cream mingles with the broth, or how the sausage flavors everything without overpowering it. Whatever it is, the soup hits the spot every time.

Here’s what you usually find in it:

• Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• Potatoes
• Onion and garlic
• Chicken broth
• Kale
• Heavy cream
• Bacon (optional but delicious)

That’s pretty much it, but the combo tastes like magic.

Now let’s jump into the recipes.

⭐ STOVETOP ZUPPA TOSCANA (Copycat Olive Garden)

This is the classic version — close enough to Olive Garden’s that you’ll feel like you’re sitting in their booth.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 4–5 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4–5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt + pepper to taste
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, brown the sausage. Break it into small pieces.
3. Add onion and garlic. Cook until fragrant.
4. Pour in chicken broth and drop in the sliced potatoes.
5. Let it simmer until potatoes turn soft — usually 15–20 minutes.
6. Stir in the cream and kale.
7. Let the soup stay on low heat until the kale wilts.
8. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes.
9. Top with the crispy bacon before serving.

Creamy, warm, slightly spicy — perfection.

⭐ CROCKPOT ZUPPA TOSCANA (Slow Cooker Version)

When life gets busy, let the crockpot do the work.

Ingredients

Same as stovetop version.

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage on the stove first. Drain extra fat.
2. Add sausage, onion, garlic, potatoes, and broth to the crockpot.
3. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
4. When potatoes are soft, stir in the heavy cream and kale.
5. Cook for another 10–15 minutes until the kale softens.
6. Sprinkle bacon on top before serving.

This one practically cooks itself while you handle the day.

⭐ INSTANT POT ZUPPA TOSCANA (Fast & Easy)

If you love quick meals, the Instant Pot is your friend.

Instructions

1. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté. Cook bacon and sausage.
2. Add onion and garlic; stir for a minute.
3. Add potatoes and broth.
4. Seal and cook on High Pressure – 10 minutes.
5. Quick release the pressure.
6. Stir in cream and kale.
7. Let the kale wilt for 2–3 minutes, and you’re done.

Dinner in less than half an hour!

⭐ COPYCAT OLIVE GARDEN ZUPPA TOSCANA (Restaurant Flavor at Home)

This version tweaks a few ingredients to match the restaurant taste even more closely.

Key Changes

• Use spicy Italian sausage — Olive Garden uses it.
• Add extra garlic for that deep flavor.
• Add a splash of chicken bouillon for richer broth.
• Use curly kale, not baby kale.

Instructions

Follow the stovetop method, but add:

• 1 tablespoon bouillon
• 1 extra garlic clove
• A tiny pinch of sugar (balances the broth just like restaurant soups)

This one tastes almost identical!

⭐ KETO ZUPPA TOSCANA (Low Carb)

If you’re avoiding carbs but craving comfort food, this version keeps the flavor without potatoes.

Ingredients

• Sausage
• Bacon
• Onion
• Garlic
• Kale
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Cauliflower florets instead of potatoes

Instructions

1. Brown bacon and sausage.
2. Add onion and garlic.
3. Drop in cauliflower chunks and broth.
4. Simmer until cauliflower becomes tender.
5. Stir in cream and kale.
6. Cook until kale softens.

Tastes almost like the original but totally keto-friendly.

⭐ ZUPPA TOSCANA WITH GNOCCHI (Super Cozy Twist)

Here’s a dreamy twist that gives the soup a pillowy texture.

Ingredients

Same as classic recipe but replace potatoes with 1 lb gnocchi.

Instructions

1. Cook bacon and sausage.
2. Add onions and garlic.
3. Pour broth and bring to a gentle boil.
4. Add gnocchi and cook until they float.
5. Stir in heavy cream and kale.
6. Simmer on low for 5 minutes.

This version feels richer and somehow even more comforting.

⭐ WHOLE30 ZUPPA TOSCANA (Dairy-Free + Clean Ingredients)

Whole30 doesn’t allow dairy, grains, or sugar — but we can still make this soup delicious.

Ingredients

• Whole30-compliant sausage
• Bacon (no sugar added)
• Onion
• Garlic
• Kale
• Chicken broth
• Potatoes (allowed)
• Coconut milk instead of cream

Instructions

1. Cook sausage and bacon.
2. Add onion + garlic.
3. Add potatoes and broth.
4. Simmer until potatoes soften.
5. Stir in kale.
6. Add ½–1 cup coconut milk.
7. Cook a few minutes until combined.

Even without cream, this version still tastes rich and satisfying.

🥄 Tips to Make Your Zuppa Toscana Even Better

• Slice potatoes thin so they cook evenly.
• Don’t skip browning the sausage — flavor comes from caramelization.
• Add kale late so it stays vibrant.
• If the soup feels too thick, add a splash of broth.
• For extra richness, mix half cream + half milk.

🧂 Ingredient Substitutions

Original Ingredient	Substitute Option	Best For
Italian sausage	Turkey sausage	Lighter flavor
Heavy cream	Half-and-half	Less rich
Kale	Spinach	Softer greens
Potatoes	Cauliflower	Keto version
Bacon	Beef bacon	Non-pork diets

🍽 Serving Suggestions

• Serve with breadsticks or homemade garlic bread.
• Add shredded parmesan on top.
• Pair with a simple salad for a restaurant-style meal.
• Keep leftovers in the fridge for 2–3 days — it tastes even better next day.

💬 Final Thoughts

Zuppa Toscana is one of those soups that never disappoints. Whether you slow-cook it, pressure-cook it, make it creamy, lighten it up, or twist it with gnocchi — every version has its own charm. The simplicity of the ingredients, the warmth of the broth, and the richness of the cream make it a bowl that feels like a hug after a long day.

Making it at home gives you the freedom to adjust flavors, try new variations, and enjoy it anytime you want without heading to Olive Garden.

Save for Later 📌