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
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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Carol G says
Potato soup sounds good right about now or maybe clam chowder soup!! Hard to decide.
Ashley Fehr says
Both would be fantastic!
Darrah Bailey says
Bacon potato soup and also my fave Au Gratin potatoes would be GREAT with these..
Ashley Fehr says
Absolutely, two of my favorite things to make with potatoes!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
My daughter loves to go to Olive Garden but I’ve never tried this soup. Totally going to try your hoemade version! Love that it’s made in a crock pot!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Christin! I can never resist a big bowl of soup with those fresh breadsticks!
Darlene Schuller says
I’d have to whip up a batch of cheesy scalloped potatoes.. always have been my favourite way to have taters!
Ashley Fehr says
Absolutely one of mine too!
Brenda Penton says
I would make Loaded Potato And Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Ashley Fehr says
That sounds awesome!
Courtney says
I’m always looking for new soup recipes, so if I won, I’d make your soup!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Courtney!
Pat says
I would be making this soup……….I make it all winter long and my recipe is very similar to yours, but I sometimes add chopped carrots to mine that we’ve grown in the garden…..a nice healthy soup….I always use Italian sausage in mine……have a nice day……………
Ashley Fehr says
I love carrots in my soup — that’s a great idea!
Francine says
I’ve bookmarked this soup to make, and I’d also make Greek style lemon roasted potatoes.
Ashley Fehr says
That sounds like something I’ll have to try!
sarah sar says
I would like to try making scalloped potatoes!
Ashley Fehr says
One of our faves đŸ˜€
MaryB says
I’d make clam chowder and also this soup – sounds delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Mary!
Anne Taylor says
I’d make a delish fried potato omelette!
Ashley Fehr says
That sounds amazing! Breakfast food is my favorite đŸ™‚
ivy pluchinsky says
I would make potato leek soup
Ashley Fehr says
Soup is so perfect for fall!
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard says
I think the first thing we would make is potato soup – so yummy
Judy Cowan says
Since it is comfort food time of I would love to roast some little potatoes around a beef roast along with some carrot, parsnips, and onion.
suki says
I would like to make some potato paratha and potato yogurt curry!
Ashley Fehr says
Those are great choices!
Steph says
I would make potato leek soup
Ashley Fehr says
Perfect for this chilly weather!
paige c says
I would make my boyfriend some irish shepards pie with the potatoes
Ashley Fehr says
That’s one of our favorites!
Kimberley Knull says
I would make loaded Potato Soup with those yummy potatoes. It’s a perfect meal for the cooler weather that is soon to come! And I also love them baked in the oven with herbs! Yum.
Love your blog! đŸ™‚
Ashley Fehr says
Potato soup is definitely my favorite kind! Thanks Kimberley!
Izzy says
I finally live in a town with an Olive Garden and I haven’t eaten there once lol. I love the name of this soup though and I’m all for any soup that has potatoes in it!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, really?! Potato soup of any kind is definitely my favorite!
Michelle | A Latte Food says
You can’t beat Olive Garden’s breadstick, soup, and salad combo! Unless it’s homemade. This soup looks way delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Michelle!