Description
Zuppa Toscana Soup is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired soup featuring spicy Italian sausage, tender russet potatoes, fresh kale, and a creamy broth. Perfect for chilly days, this savory soup combines layered flavors of sausage, aromatic onions and garlic, nutrient-rich kale, and a smooth finish of heavy cream, making it a satisfying meal for dinner or sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 pound Italian sausage (spicy or mild, casing removed)
Vegetables
- 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 4 cups fresh kale, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Dairy
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot over medium heat, crumble and cook the Italian sausage until browned and cooked through, releasing its flavorful oils. Remove excess fat if desired for a leaner soup.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot with the browned sausage. Cook until softened and fragrant to build a rich flavor base.
- Add Potatoes and Broth: Add peeled and sliced potatoes to the pot, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Stir in Kale and Cream: Once potatoes are tender, add chopped kale and pour in the heavy cream. Cook gently until kale wilts and the soup reaches a silky smooth consistency.
- Season and Serve: Add red pepper flakes, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well and ladle the soup into bowls to enjoy.
Notes
- Use quality Italian sausage for best flavor.
- Add kale at the end to keep its vibrant color and slight crunch.
- Stir often to prevent cream from scorching and keep flavors even.
- For thicker soup, mash some potatoes against the pot’s side before adding cream.
- Make ahead and refrigerate overnight to let flavors deepen.
- Omit cream when freezing; add fresh cream when reheating to maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Zuppa Toscana, Italian soup, sausage soup, creamy potato soup, kale soup, comfort food, hearty soup, easy soup recipe
