Description
A cozy and creamy Italian-inspired soup loaded with savory sausage, tender potatoes, kale, and a touch of cream. This easy one-pot Zuppa Toscana is a comforting and hearty meal perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups russet potatoes, thinly sliced (about 3–4 medium potatoes)
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
3 cups kale, chopped and stems removed
1 cup heavy cream (or canned coconut milk for dairy-free option)
½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled (optional topping)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook Italian sausage until browned, breaking it into crumbles (about 6–8 minutes). Remove sausage and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté diced onion for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add sliced potatoes, chicken broth, water, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in cooked sausage and chopped kale. Cook for another 5–7 minutes until kale is wilted and tender.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk. Warm through for 2–3 minutes without boiling.
- Serve hot, optionally topped with crumbled bacon.
Notes
Swap heavy cream with canned coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
Use hot Italian sausage and include red pepper flakes for a spicier version.
For a lighter soup, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
To make it low-carb, replace potatoes with cauliflower florets.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat gently to avoid cream separation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
