We don’t eat out very often. When we do, we usually support local restaurants. We have our favorites and sometimes it is nice to let someone else do the cooking:) I don’t like chain restaurants or fast food-sometimes I wonder if they even serve real food:) So when we were eating at our friends house the other night and they told us we were having the “Olive Garden’s soup”, I had no clue what they were talking about:) Sure, I have been to the Olive Garden, but it has been many, many years.
Our friend created a copycat recipe of the Olive Garden’s “famous” Zuppa Toscana soup. I didn’t try it because of the meat, but Josh loved it. It was right up his alley-spicy Italian sausage, bacon, cream, and kale. At least he got his greens in:) He ended up having two bowls-I gave him my share…ha! And don’t worry, our friends made sure I had a veggie option-they are too nice:)
Josh was craving the soup the other night-I was scared he was going to drag me to the Olive Garden, but instead he wanted to make it. Whew! 
Josh bought all of the ingredients and made a big pot of Zuppa Toscana at home. He was pleased with his soup-he said it really hit the spot!
Josh highly recommends eating this soup with good, crusty bread. He likes to dunk the bread in the soup. He loves the robust flavors and big meat chunks.
If you love the Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana soup, try making it at home. I am sure it’s even better than the real deal!
*And if you love the Olive Garden-I am glad, it is just not my “cup of tea.” No hard feelings..ha!
Zuppa Toscana Soup
1 pound Italian sausage
1 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 large white onion, diced
4 slices bacon chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups chicken broth
2 cups Water
1 cup Heavy cream
3 large Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 cups Kale, washed and roughly chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
1. In a medium skillet, saute the Italian sausage with the red pepper flakes. Drain excess fat, set aside.
2. In a large soup pot, saute the bacon. When the bacon is half way cooked, add the onions and garlic. Saute until the onions are tender-about 5 minutes.
3. Add the chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil.
4. Add the potatoes and cook until soft, about 30 minutes.
5. Add in the heavy cream and sausage and cook until the soup is heated.
6. Stir in the chopped kale. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Serves 8
If you like this soup, you might also like:
Tortellini Vegetable Soup from Two Peas and Their Pod
Lentil Stew with Sausage from Simply Recipes
Italian Saussage and Bean Soup with Chard from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Wild Rice, Mushroom, and Sausage Soup from Recipe Girl
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I haven’t been to Olive Garden since I was in high school, but this soup does look good. It’s probably better homemade!
That soup looks pretty tasty! I know what you mean about chain restaurants… We eat at them once in a while (since there aren’t a lot of other good options around here in the middle of nowhere), but definitely not my preference.
My husband thanks you.
That looks deeeeelightful. I’ve actually never been to the Olive Garden either, tho some friends swear by the soup and breadsticks? We make a similar White Bean Soup with Sausage and Kale, but bacon sounds like a wonderful addition… Will definitely have to try this!
The soup looks great. I’m sure it’s way better than what they serve at the Olive Garden. The kale cancels out the bacon right?
Olive Garden isn’t my cup of tea either. I admit I’m judging on strictly superficial criteria. I’ve never actually eaten in one and I’m just judging it because it’s a chain. But here in the NY suburbs, we have one of the highest cocentrations of Italian Americans in the US, so good Italian restaurants abound. I think the closest Olive Garden to my home is in NYC and mostly caters to tourists.
I’m with ya girl..chains..ah not for me….they taste funky!!.But this soup looks lovely and great with fesh baked bread.
sweetlife
My husband loves this soup at the Olive Garden. My son’s working there right now. I’ll have to give it a try!
This is precisely the sort of hearty soup that would completely hit the spot on a day like today. It’s rainy and pea-soupy out — so something warming and nourishing, with all the good stuff (i.e. kale) would be just right.
Yummy! Looks fantastic!
Oh yummy – and I LOVE kale!
Hi, Maria! I just wanted to let you know that I made your soup this evening for dinner and all of us loved it. As I mentioned I didn’t use kale. It rained hard all day (we had severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings) and I didn’t want to have to stop at the grocery store for some. Next time I’ll give the kale a try. Thanks for passing along another yummy recipe.
~ingrid
Ingrid-I am glad you enjoyed the soup. Thanks for letting us know. I am sure the spinach was great in it!
Ah, this looks absolutely delicious!
What a gorgeous soup which could be dinner for us. We love soup and I often just make soup for dinner with a good hearty bread!
I haven’t had at the Olive Garden either, but people seem to love it. Your homemade version looks fantastic!
This is my second favorite soup at Olive Garden! ( my first, minestrone). I will have to make this! miss you!
Hey Guys, I made this soup for my Dad and he totally LOVES it. He asked me the name of it and when I told him, he said we needed to change it to “Damn Good Soup!” LOL He’s really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing as always.
Take care,
Julie
Julie-Glad your dad loves this soup!
This does look like a nice soup for meat lovers. Will have to give it a go and throw in some extra greens!
Olive Garden isn’t something I crave…but the last few times I’ve been there (probably twice in 2 years!) I was actually surprised at the quality of the food, it was really good! I have tried this soup once or twice years ago and I remember enjoying it! I’d love it without the cream…
It’s been ages since I’ve been to Olive Garden too Maria. My hubs would probably like this one if I removed any trace of the veggies
this looks DELICIOUS!
I saw the “olive garden” in your post and thought OH NO. I’m so with you on chain restaurants,etc. This soup looks good, but really a bit heavy on the cream for my taste. If you notice those olive garden commercials, the food is so heavy and doesn’t look Italian to me. Now having said that, my husband dies for the sausage lentil from Carrabba’s and sometimes we get it as take out. (I need to make that from scratch, don’t I).
Angela-yeah, we never eat at the Olive Garden or chain restaurants. I just can’t do it. So I am glad Josh can make this at home:)
[...] want to try this recipe for a copycat version of Zuppa Toscana (@ Two Peas & Their [...]
Thank you for the recipe. : ) I’m not a snob about Olive Garden restaurants, but I’ve never tried this soup there. I’ll try making it with turkey Italian sausage and no bacon…
Pretty much anything is better home made, so I’m sure this soup is too. Definitely looks good.
I just finished eating my second bowl, you hit the nail on the head with this recipe. The nearest Olive Garden is about two hours away from my home. I always order this soup when I get a chance to go. Now that I can make it at home, I can satisfy my cravings more often. Thanks you did a good job!
Keiona-glad the soup hit the spot for you:)