My Kinda Zuppa Toscana

Submitted by aHardDaysNight

"Italian flavors blend in a creamy, satisfying soup that has potatoes, italian sausage, and kale. I like a kick, so I use spicy sausage and add crushed red pepper flakes. The heavy cream really pulls this soup together and makes it restaurant-worthy! Don't forget a fresh, crusty loaf of bread for dipping."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 5mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 lb ground hot Italian sausage
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 medium white onions, diced
• 1⁄4 cup bacon bits (I use Hormel brand)
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 10 cups water
• 5 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder (to taste)
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 6 cups potatoes, cubed
• 1 bunch kale, discard center stalks and coarsely chop greens (cavolo riccio)
• 1 bunch fresh Italian parsley or 1 bunch chives, chopped for garnish
• 1 loaf crusty Italian bread, sliced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

directions

1. Saute ground spicy italian sausage and crushed red pepper flakes in 1 T olive oil. (I use 8 quart stock pot.) Drain fat and move mixture into bowl, set aside.
2. In same pan, add 1 T olive oil and saute white onions, garlic, bacon bits, and potatoes until onions are soft.
3. Add water and chicken boullion powder and stir thoroughly. Bring to a gentle boil and continue cooking until potatoes are soft, 20-30 minute.
4. Turn off heat, immediately add kale, sausage and heavy cream. Stir together.
5. Garnish with chopped italian parsley or chives, serve hot with slices of bread.

Reviews

[savvybranding]

This soup turned out fantastic. I did a few substitutions to make it a lighter dish. For example I used turkey bacon and I did not put the heavy cream in. It maintained the flavor but removing the heavy cream cut down on the calories.

 

[Chef GreanEyes]

Loved it! used homemade italian sausage. sub whole milk for the cream. shredded one carrot. used spinach in place of kale. yummy!

 

[Perfectqa]

This soup is great! Thanks for the recipe!

 

[kaleisthenewmeat]

Just as good as Olive Garden's and way more affordable. I like that I can add as much kale as I want.

 

[T Momma]

This zuppa is hearty and flavorful. A real comfort food for me. I use unsalted chicken stock in mine and I just don't miss the salt at all!