Description

Recreate the famous restaurant classic at home! This rich and creamy Zuppa Toscana combines savory Italian sausage, crispy bacon, tender Russet potatoes, and fresh kale in a luxuriously seasoned broth. A comforting, hearty meal made in just 5 simple steps.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb mild or spicy Italian sausage (casings removed)
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups chicken broth
4–5 medium Russet potatoes, scrubbed and thinly sliced or cubed
1 bunch fresh kale, tough stems removed and chopped
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional: Red pepper flakes for heat, grated Parmesan for serving

Instructions

Prep & Brown Protein: Cook chopped bacon in a large pot until crispy. Set aside, keeping 1 tbsp of fat. Brown the Italian sausage in the same pot, then drain excess grease and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, sauté diced onion until translucent (about 5 mins). Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer Potatoes: Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 10-15 minutes until tender.
Cream & Kale: Return sausage to the pot. Stir in chopped kale for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Heat through without boiling.
Finish & Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with reserved crispy bacon and optional Parmesan cheese.

Notes

For an authentic kick, use “Spicy” Italian sausage or add extra red pepper flakes.
Do not boil the soup once the heavy cream is added to prevent curdling.
Use Russet potatoes for the best texture as they hold up well in the broth.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Soup / Main Dish
Method: Stovetop / One-Pot
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 1150mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 16g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: Zuppa Toscana, Italian Sausage Soup, Creamy Kale Potato Soup, Copycat Recipe, One-Pot Meal