This easy Zuppa Toscana is a creamy soup full of Italian sausage, kale, potatoes and Parmesan. It’s hearty, creamy, and perfect for fall! Step by step recipe video down in the recipe card.
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I faintly remember those days when I used to go to Olive Garden.
And we’ve always lived at least an hour and a half away from an Olive Garden, so it’s not like it was a once a week thing, but still — every once in a while I think back to the days before Real Responsibilities (let’s call them “Kids” for short) and how we could go into a restaurant and just eat a relaxed meal.
But now I have two of the sweetest, cutest, funniest girls and I wouldn’t even trade them for a trip to Olive Garden (promise).
This means that I’ve learned to make more of our favorite restaurant meals at home, and this Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana is one of our favorite things to dip large chunks of bread into in the fall.
(What is soup without large chunks of bread??)
Why we love this Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana:
- The Italian sausage is loaded with herbs and spices, which cuts down on the extra ingredients required!
- It’s got just the right amount of spice and sweetness (again, thanks Italian sausage!)
- Aside from browning the meat, I can just dump it and go, which is perfect for busy weeknights
Variations on this Zuppa Toscana recipe:
- Lots of recipes for Zuppa Toscana include bacon, but I find it an unnecessary addition. If that’s your thing, feel free to cook some up in the same pan you fry your sausage and add it to the slow cooker (or save it to sprinkle on top later).
- We prefer the texture of kale after it has softened in the slow cooker along with the vegetables. If you prefer it with more bite, you can leave it out until you add the cream to the slow cooker near the end.
- You can swap the kale for spinach if that’s what you have on hand, but spinach isn’t as tough as kale and I would add it right before serving.
- If you want to use a lighter dairy option, you can swap the heavy cream for evaporated milk. I don’t recommend low fat milk as it can curdle when added alone to hot liquid.
Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 375 g Italian sausage meat without casings, mild or spicy (¾ lb)
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1.5 lbs Russet or gold potatoes peeled and diced (about 4 medium)
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup cream (10-30% will work fine)
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional, for extra spice
Instructions
- In a large frying pan, brown the Italian sausage with the onion over medium-high heat (4-5 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add sausage mixture, broth, potatoes, kale (or save to add with the cream if you prefer more texture), salt and pepper to the Slow Cooker (4-6 quarts) and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for about 2 hours (cooking times vary by slow cooker). You can also reserve the kale to add at the end if you prefer it to have more texture.
- Once potatoes are tender, stir in cream, Parmesan and red pepper flakes if using (optional for extra heat!). Let heat through before serving.
Nutrition Information
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Mike says
We absolutely love this meal—it’s far soup-erior to the one at Olive Garden.
But let’s be honest: no one’s prepping this in 15 minutes. If I’m doing it by myself, and being fairly efficient (only spot-peeling the potatoes, for instance), it literally takes an hour from snagging the onion to making the four-hour selection on the slow-cooker. Between two very experienced people, maybe half an hour is possible. But for one of us mere mortals, surely it can’t be done in under 45 minutes?
Anyway, thanks so much for the recipe.
Cheers!
The Recipe Rebel says
Glad you enjoyed the recipe Mike!
Krissy says
When you say Cream do you mean Heavy cream or half and half? need specifics please.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Krissy! It’s in the recipe card (written 10-30%) and blog post as heavy cream.
Melissa says
Are there any special spices I should add if using ground beef instead of the sausage? (Do you think 90% beef would be an okay substitute? I can’t eat pork and am not fond of turkey sausage but want it to taste good for everyone while subbing out the sausage.)
Thank you!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Melissa! I think 90% will be fine. For the beef it should be fine on it’s own but some Italian seasoning would be tasty too!
Sondra says
My favorite new soup! Yummy. Can I double receipe?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Sondra! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review! For doubling you would just need to make sure your slow cooker can fit all of the ingredients.
ABC says
Hi! Trying this out tomorrow! Can I use frozen kale?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi! I’ve not tried using frozen kale before. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
ABC says
I just tried it with frozen spinach instead but added it in right at the end. It tasted great! We’re making it again tonight and putting some uncooked pasta in it for the last 30 minutes. Just to see! I’ll follow up!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m glad you liked it!
Jesse Mullin says
Just made this! Just the smell made everyone in the house hungry. Amazing soup. I have a new slow cooker that cooks hotter and makes most creams curdle when added. Substituted with unsweetened coconut milk and added a splash of Worcestershire sauce to balance out the coconut flavour. Turned out beautifully!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Jesse! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Kat Loepker says
If I used lb of italian sausage would I use 4 cups of chicken broth?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Kat! I’ve only tested the recipe as written, but I don’t think you would need to add that much more liquid if using a pound of sausage.
Jamie Fielding says
This was amazing! Loved it! We added some crumbled bacon to it at the end when serving and a little sneak of the bacon drippings in the crockpot as well along with a few spiral noodles…. So good! Will be keeping this recipe for sure!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Jamie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Megan says
Hey there! Trying this recipe as we speak! Is it safe to assume I am to cut up the sausage links after I brown them but before I dump them in the crock pot?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Megan. You are not actually using the sausage in the casings. The first ingredient in the recipe card is Italian sausage meat without casings.
Christine says
The recipe called for no casing. So I got the ground Italian sausage.
Regina Underwood says
My husband is a BIG fan of the Olive Garden version so I was worried about him liking this recipe! He definitely approved and asks for it all the time! It was a big hit all around! It is very creamy and has so much flavor!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Regina! I’m so glad!
Christine says
I put fresh leeks in this as well. Plus some prosciutto, capicola and Italian dry salami … for added flavor. Delicious!
Janet Bradley says
As written I LOVE IT!!!! Only request/suggestion I have is that you incorporate your suggested notes/additions into the printable copy of the recipe.
Thank. for the wonderful recipe
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks for your feedback Janet! I will definitely work on that.
Liz says
Could you use cream cheese instead of cream?
Ashley Fehr says
I think you could but I haven’t tried it!
Megan says
Could you cook this on low for a longer amount of time? I don’t want the potatoes to get mushy and the kale overwilted but I would love to turn this on before I leave for work and come home to a full meal!
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Megan! I think it would be all right if you add the kale when you get home and cut the potatoes into larger pieces. If you have a slow cooker with a keep warm setting, that might work even better.
Marissa says
We love this recipe it was delicious!!
Question though! Does it freeze and warm back up well? Methods on tastiest way of doing so would be great I would love to double or even triple this recipe for a family gathering!
Ashley Fehr says
Unfortunately potatoes do not freeze well so I don’t recommend it. I’m glad you liked it!
Rosie says
I’m making today 8/7/21 in the crockpot, and following the recipe exactly. Turn out great and delicious đŸ˜‹
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Rosie!
jill.garbutt@gmail.com says
Loved this recipe! I added mushrooms and truffle paste to it for a little something extra! Great as a meal, and an appetizer!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks for sharing!
Robert Shaul says
Tried this recipe. My wife and I love it! Adding this to our rotation!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Robert!
Jo says
LOVE this!!! Made it again. My family wanted the kale and cheese skipped, and it was still amazing!
Laurenelyse says
We skipped the kale, but spinach was great.
Sharron says
Our family tried it yesterday. Sooooo goood!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so happy to hear that!
Rdlove@gmail.com says
Made this tonight @ x1 1/2. Was outstanding. Followed recipe putting kale in for duration – turned out fine. Like this recipe with potatoes cubed instead of large slices – easier for us old folks to eat. Also, used Jenny-O turkey Italian sausage – both sweet and hot. Nice.
Great recipe Ashley, thanks for sharing.
Rick
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Rick! I’m so glad you liked it!