Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe (2024)

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Posted by Aimee 29 comments
Published: Mar 12, 2024 Last Updated: Mar 12, 2024

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Flavorful Zuppa Toscana Soup tastes even better than the Olive Garden original! Italian sausage is simmered with spinach, bacon and fragrant herbs in a creamy broth.

Bake up a batch of Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks to make soup night even better. Serve with our favorite olive garden salad recipe for a night in.

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe (1)

Why Make Zuppa Toscana Soup

Looking for the perfect copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe? I’ve got you covered.

  • This soup is made from scratch with fresh ingredients for amazing flavor.
  • Every bite is loaded with zesty Italian sausage and smoky bacon.
  • Heavy cream makes every bite rich, thick and hearty.
  • Zuppa Toscana is ready in about 40 minutes with only 10 minutes of active prep time!

If you want a low carb version check out our keto zuppa toscana soup.

Important Ingredient Notes

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe (2)
  • Sweet Italian sausage. Using this makes the Zuppa Toscana soup taste most similar to the Olive Garden original. You can swap it for a spicier sausage if you want some kick to your soup.
  • Parmesan cheese. Buy fresh blocks of parmesan and shred it yourself for best results. Do not use the parmesan that comes in a shaker.
  • Bacon. If you prefer your bacon to be crispy at the end, cook it first and add right before serving.

How to Make Zuppa Toscana Soup

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe (3)

Brown the meat.

Cook sausage and diced bacon in a medium sauce pan or Dutch oven over medium heat until browned. Drain all but one tablespoon of the grease.

Saute onion and garlic.

Cook the onion and garlic in the remaining grease until softened and fragrant. Add the browned sausage and bacon back to the pot, along with beef broth and potatoes.

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe (4)

Simmer.

Simmer the soup on low heat for 15 minutes.

Add Cream.

When the potatoes are fully cooked, add the spinach, cream and all but 1/4 cup of the parmesan cheese. Heat for about 5 minutes until spinach is wilted and the cream is warmed.

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe (5)

Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, this Zuppa Toscana Soup is freezer friendly! It should keep well frozen for about 1 month.

What side dishes go well with Zuppa Toscana?

We love this soup with a crusty loaf of bread for dipping. Garlic Bread is always a good idea!
A salad of mixed greens with Italian dressing would also be a great complement to Zuppa Toscana.

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh in this recipe?

You sure can! Thaw and drain the spinach, then squeeze out excess water over the sink.

I don’t have heavy cream. Can I use regular milk instead?

You can, but you won’t get the same results. Heavy cream is what makes this Zuppa Toscana so. . . well, creamy!

More Dinner Recipes

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  • Zucchini Meatballs actually have ZERO meat, but they’re a delicious alternative and make a hearty meal.
  • Try my Monte Cristo for a classic Disneyland copycat sandwich!
  • Taco Pizza is the perfect Friday night meal option!

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe (6)

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Zuppa Toscana Soup

5 from 7 votes

By: Aimee

Flavorful Zuppa Toscana Soup tastes even better than the Olive Garden original! Italian sausage is simmered with spinach, bacon and fragrant herbs in a creamy broth.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Sweet Italian Sausage removed from the casings
  • 5 slices Bacon diced
  • ½ White Onion diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic peeled
  • 32 ounces Beef Broth
  • 2 White Potatoes diced (no peeling necessary)
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 3 cups Spinach fresh
  • 1 ½ cups Heavy Cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded and divided

Instructions

  • Brown sausage and diced bacon in a French oven over medium high heat until fully cooked. Drain all but one tablespoonof oil. Sauté onion and garlic in remaining oil for about 2-3 minutes. Add back the sausage and bacon. Add beef broth, potatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.

  • Reduce to low and cover. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are fully cooked.

  • Add fresh spinach, cream and 3/4 cup parmesan cheese. Heat over medium until warm (about 5 minutes). Serve with a sprinkle of extra parmesan on top. ENJOY.

Notes

  • Storing. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the fridge and enjoy within 3 days.
  • Kale option. Swap the spinach for kale or your other favorite leafy greens in Zuppa Toscana.
  • Make ahead option: If you’re making this ahead of time, wait to add the spinach until you reheat the soup. This keeps the spinach from getting mushy.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.

Nutrition

Calories: 506kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 36g, Saturated Fat: 20g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 109mg, Sodium: 1642mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 3g

Course: Soups and Stews

Cuisine: Italian

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Now you can make delicious Zuppa Toscana in your own kitchen–just like Olive Garden’s. Skip the restaurant and enjoy a warming, hearty bowl of homemade soup tonight!

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Zuppa Toscana made of? ›

Traditionally, this soup is made with lots of veggies, beans, potatoes, olive oil, spices, Italian bacon, and Tuscan bread (it kind of reminds me of a minestrone). What is this? The American version though adds Italian sausage and bacon, garlic, and heavy cream in addition to the potatoes and kale.

What is the most popular soup at Olive Garden? ›

Zuppa Toscana – Olive Garden Copycat (VIDEO) Zuppa Toscana is Olive Garden's most popular soup. This one-pot, homemade Zuppa Toscana recipe is hearty and loaded with Italian sausage, kale, bacon and potatoes.

Do they eat zuppa Toscana in Italy? ›

Zuppa toscana ( lit. 'Tuscan soup'), also known in Italy as minestra di pane ( lit. 'bread soup'), is a soup from the region of Tuscany, northern Italy. While there are many variations, its most common ingredients are cannellini beans, potatoes, and kale.

How long is zuppa toscana good for in the fridge? ›

Zuppa Toscana Soup storage

Once prepared and then safely stored, Zuppa Toscana Soup stays fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge, but we find this soup to be best the same day it's made. To reheat the soup, add to a pot over low heat.

What does Zuppa mean in Italy? ›

noun. , Italian Cooking. a soup or chowder.

What soup at Olive Garden has meat in it? ›

Chicken & Gnocchi - A creamy soup made with roasted chicken, traditional Italian dumplings and spinach. Pasta e fa*gioli - White and red beans, ground beef, fresh tomatoes and tubetti pasta in a savory broth.

What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

What is the difference between zuppa Toscana and minestrone? ›

Zuppa Toscana has a thicker consistency due to the addition of cream or milk, which gives it a velvety smoothness. On the other hand, Minestrone has a more broth-like consistency with chunks of vegetables and beans creating a heartier texture.

What is Queen Elizabeth's favorite soup? ›

Queen Elizabeth also had a favorite soup… Callaloo…a Carribean soup with callaloo leaves.

What is the most famous soup in Italy? ›

Minestrone is a classic Italian soup known worldwide as one of the best Italian soups. It's got a flavorful broth and a variety of slow-cooked vegetables like potatoes, peas, and carrots. Adding Italian sausage gives it a kick of flavor and a shot of protein, so it's a complete meal all by itself.

What is the difference between zuppa and minestra? ›

Often these terms are used synonymously to describe a soup but minestra and minestrone, zuppa and passato, crema and vellutata are not the same thing. The difference resides in ingredients, like pasta or cereals, and thickeners such as dairy products or fats.

What is the three most popular food in Italy? ›

Ask anyone to name their favourite dishes and you can guarantee things like pizza, pasta and gelato soon come tripping off the tongue. And while these iconic dishes are loved around the globe for very good reason, Italy boasts plenty more crowd-pleasers.

What wine goes best with zuppa toscana? ›

To serve: Pair giant bowls of this Zuppa Toscana with crusty bread and chilled glasses of J. Lohr Chardonnay!

Is 5 day old soup ok to eat? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can you leave soup out overnight and eat it the next day? ›

Food should not be at room temperature for more than two hours. Shallow containers or small amounts of hot food can be placed directly in the refrigerator or rapidly chilled in an ice or cold water bath before refrigerating. Cover foods to retain moisture and prevent them from picking up odors from other foods.

What are the ingredients in Ivars zuppa Toscana? ›

INGREDIENTS: milk, chicken stock concentrate (water, chicken stock, natural flavor, salt, sugar, yeast extract, chicken fat), italian sausage (pork, spices, water, salt, sugar, natural flavorings, paprika), russet potatoes, spinach, carrots, onions, celery, corn starch, dijon mustard (water, vinegar, mustard seed, salt ...

What's the difference between minestrone and zuppa? ›

Zuppa Toscana has a thicker consistency due to the addition of cream or milk, which gives it a velvety smoothness. On the other hand, Minestrone has a more broth-like consistency with chunks of vegetables and beans creating a heartier texture.

What are the ingredients in La Zuppa minestrone? ›

INGREDIENTS. Vegetables (56%) (Pumpkin (15%), Potato, Carrot (9%), Green Pea (5%), Onion, Borlotti Bean, Cabbage, Zucchini, White Bean), Water, Tomato Paste (1%), Salt.

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