Description
This easy homemade Zuppa Toscana soup is a rich, creamy, and flavorful Italian-inspired dish made with Italian sausage, crispy bacon, potatoes, and kale in a velvety broth. A cozy one-pot meal perfect for chilly nights!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- 4 medium russet potatoes, sliced thin
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups kale, chopped (or spinach)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon – In a large pot, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving 1 tablespoon of grease in the pot.
- Brown the Sausage – Add Italian sausage to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Aromatics – Stir in diced onion and cook until softened (about 3 minutes). Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer the Soup – Pour in chicken broth and water, then add sliced potatoes. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
- Add Cream and Kale – Reduce heat to low, stir in heavy cream and kale, and simmer for 5 more minutes until the kale softens. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Serve – Ladle into bowls, top with crispy bacon, and enjoy with crusty bread.
Notes
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk or dairy-free creamer.
- Vegetarian: Swap sausage for plant-based sausage or mushrooms, and use vegetable broth.
- Lower Fat: Use turkey sausage and half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Keto-Friendly: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Zuppa Toscana soup, homemade Italian soup, creamy sausage soup, one-pot meal, easy soup recipe