Zuppa Toscana Soup (Printable)
Hearty Italian soup with sausage, potatoes, kale, and creamy broth for comforting weeknight dinners.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 5 oz fresh kale, stems removed and chopped
→ Dairy
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
→ Liquids
08 - 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned throughout, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pot.
02 - In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the sliced potatoes and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
04 - Stir the chopped kale and the reserved cooked sausage back into the pot. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the kale has wilted and the flavors meld together.
05 - Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently to combine. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste. Heat through gently, but do not bring to a boil.
06 - Ladle the soup into warm bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately with crusty bread alongside.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy broth soaks into every potato slice and makes each bite feel like a warm blanket on a cold night.
- It comes together with one pot and zero fuss, which means almost no cleanup and maximum comfort.
02 -
- Boiling the soup after adding the cream can cause it to break and look curdled, so keep the heat low and gentle.
- The soup thickens considerably as it sits overnight, so add a splash of broth when reheating to loosen it back up.
03 -
- A splash of dry white wine deglazed into the pot after browning the sausage adds a brightness that makes people wonder what your secret is.
- For a lighter version, swap the heavy cream for half and half and use turkey sausage, though you will lose some of the indulgent magic.