Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Copycat Recipe

I bet you have finished a bowl of the Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup and wondered if you could make this soup. Yes, you can make this favorite soup from the Olive Garden. You will have a creamy soup filled with crispy bacon, chicken stock, and pork sausage. The first time you taste your homemade soup, it will become a family favorite.

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The Story Behind This Soup

On a cold winter many years ago, I found myself craving the comforting warmth of Olive Garden’s famous Zuppa Toscana. Instead of heading to the restaurant, I decided to recreate this beloved soup in my own kitchen. After numerous attempts and tweaks, I’ve perfected this copycat recipe that captures the essence of the original – a creamy, savory soup that’s both hearty and satisfying.

Why This is the Best Recipe for Zuppa Toscana

This is the best copycat, Zuppa Toscana because it contains everything you love about this soup. Italian sausage, many Russet potatoes, and bits of smokey bacon are all served in a creamy broth. This Italian soup is packed with everything so that you can enjoy this delicious soup at home. Be sure to serve it with some crusty bread! 

What Makes Zuppa Toscana Special?

Zuppa Toscana, literally meaning “Tuscan Soup,” is a harmonious blend of savory Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and fresh kale swimming in a perfectly seasoned cream broth. While the original recipe has its roots in Tuscany, Olive Garden’s version has become an American restaurant favorite, serving as the perfect starting point for a cozy meal.

What is Zuppa Toscana?

Zuppa is an Italian word for soup. Toscana is the Italian name for the region of Tuscany. So Zuppa Toscana is Tuscan soup.

Olive Garden Tuscan soup is creamy, hearty, and loaded with Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and kale. It is an excellent meal with Olive Garden breadsticks and Italian salad. It is also Olive Garden’s most famous soup, and serves countless bowls of it every day.

What Makes Italian Sausage Italian?

Sausage is the star of this soup, so it needs to be the highest quality Italian sausage you can find. Make sure to select Italian sausages for this recipe because it has an entirely different flavor profile than other types of sausage, such as Andouille or Chorizo.

Italian sausages combine finely ground pork, pork fat, and seasonings inside a natural casing. The main seasonings which give them their unique flavor are fennel and anise.

Unlike other varieties of sausages, Italian sausages are always raw and never smoked or precooked. You will need to make sure to cook them thoroughly before serving.

Don’t be confused about the labeling on the package. You will often see Italian sausages labeled as ‘mild,’ ‘sweet’, or ‘hot’ in the supermarket.

Mild and sweet sausages are two different words companies use to describe the same ingredients.

The word ‘hot’ indicates that red pepper flakes are part of the pork mixture. The spiciness of hot Italian sausages varies by brand.

Hot or sweet Italian sausages work for this recipe, so choose whichever one you usually enjoy. You can also make Italian Sausage and season it to your liking.

Zuppa Toscana Soup Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need to make this hearty homemade soup.

• Mild Italian sausage – provides the primary savory flavor and meaty texture
• Russet Potatoes – adds heartiness and helps thicken the soup naturally
• White onion – creates a flavor foundation and adds natural sweetness
• Chicken Broth – forms the soup base and adds depth. Low-sodium broth is recommended
• Water – helps achieve the perfect consistency
• Garlic cloves – adds aromatic depth and traditional Italian flavor
• Slices of bacon or Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits – contributes smokiness and rich umami flavor
• Kosher salt – enhances all flavors
• Ground black pepper – adds subtle heat and depth
• Fresh kale – adds nutrition, color, and slight bitterness
• Heavy cream – creates the signature creamy texture

Nutritional information can be found on the recipe card below.

How to Make Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

1. Place the sausages in a baking pan—brown sausage by roasting at 300°F for 30 minutes or until cooked through.
2. Drain sausages on paper towels to absorb the excess grease and cut the links into slices.
3. Place the potatoes, onions, chicken broth, water, and garlic in a large pot or large Dutch oven and cook on medium heat until the potatoes are fork-tender.

4. Add the sausage, bacon, salt, and pepper and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Turn the heat to low. Add kale and cream and stir to combine.

6. Add more water if necessary for desired consistency.
7. Heat thoroughly and serve.

Pro Tips and Common Questions

Ingredient Substitutions

• Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes can replace Russet
• Sausage: Spicy Italian sausage for extra heat
• Kale: Spinach or Swiss chard work well
• Heavy Cream: Half-and-half for a lighter version

Make It Your Own

This recipe is incredibly versatile. Try these variations:

• Add mushrooms for extra earthiness
• Include cannellini beans for more protein
• Use turkey sausage for a lighter version
• Add a splash of white wine for depth

Troubleshooting Tips

• Soup too thick? Add water or broth gradually
• Soup too thin? Simmer longer or add more potatoes
• Too mild? Add red pepper flakes or use spicy sausage
• Potatoes not cooking evenly? Cut them into uniform sizes

Cooking and Serving Suggestions for the Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe

• Use a food chopper. The time required to make this recipe revolves around cutting the vegetables. Save time and get perfectly diced onions and sliced potatoes with an inexpensive and indispensable food chopper. These inexpensive food prep tools are a must-have time-saver in any kitchen.
• Serve with warm slices of Tuscan bread to make Zuppa Toscana a simple supper. Tuscan bread is unique because it is baked without salt. Some people say there is no salt in bread from the region because the stubborn residents refused to pay high salt taxes during the Middle Ages. Other people think saltless bread pairs well with the traditionally heavy and salty local food. Either way, Tuscan bread goes great with this soup.
• Top each bowl with cheese and a splash of olive oil. A tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil on top of your soup just before serving helps provide a luscious mouthfeel. A little grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese on top helps balance the soup’s richness.

How to Store Leftover Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

Like many soups, this soup tastes better the next day! Store any leftover soup in an airtight plastic container in your refrigerator.

How long is Zuppa Toscana good for in the fridge?

Should you have any leftover soup, you can store it in an airtight container in your refrigerator. It should be consumed within three to five days. After this point, the soup should be frozen to be eaten later.

Does Zuppa Toscana freeze well?

Zuppa Toscana does freeze well. You should store this in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Best Way to Reheat Soup

You may be tempted to place this soup in the microwave, but soup is best reheated on the stovetop. Simply reheat the amount you will need over low to medium heat. This way all of the soup will reheat evenly.

Love Olive Garden? Try these copycat recipes!

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