Crockpot Zuppa Toscana

4.99 from 67 votes

Prep Time 15

Total Time 4 15

Servings 4 servings

Last updated on January 16, 2024

This easy Crockpot Zuppa Toscana is a creamy Tuscan soup full of Italian sausage, kale, potatoes, and Parmesan. It’s hearty, creamy, and perfect for the colder months! There’s a step-by-step recipe video down in the recipe card, too!

For more delicious soup recipes, check out my Sausage Tortellini Soup, Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup, Ham and Potato Soup, and my Chicken Wild Rice Soup.

overhead image of metal ladle scooping slow cooker zuppa toscana from crockpot.

Why we love this Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup:
Zuppa Toscana Ingredients:
How to Make Crockpot Zuppa Toscana Soup
Zuppa Toscana Soup FAQs
Tips and Notes
Crock pot Zuppa Toscana Soup Variations
Serving Suggestions
More Easy Soup Recipes To Try
Crockpot Zuppa Toscana Recipe

I faintly remember those days when I used to go to Olive Garden for the Zuppa Toscana (all you can eat soup and breadsticks? Sign me up!).

But life gets busier and we need all the easy meals around here!

Since having kids, I’ve learned to make and enjoy more of our favorite restaurant meals at home, including this creamy soup.

This easy Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana Soup is as delicious as the original recipe, if not better!

It’s made with simple ingredients and minimal effort, so it’s perfect for a lazy weekend or prepping for the end of a busy day.

This delicious copycat soup is one of our favorite things to dip large chunks of bread into in the fall!

overhead image of bowl of crock pot zuppa toscana soup.

Why we love this Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup:

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.

Zuppa Toscana Ingredients:

Sausage: use mild or spicy Italian sausage meat without the casings.
Onion & Garlic: use freshly chopped onion and freshly minced garlic.
Broth: I always use a low-sodium chicken broth, as it adds a depth of flavor and allows me to control the salt content of the dish better.
Potatoes: Russet or gold potatoes will work well here, but you can try other kinds of potatoes if you like. If you use smooth-skinned potatoes you can skip the peeling!
Salt & Pepper: simple seasonings of salt and black pepper will give this dish a great flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes: a simple way to add some extra spice to this dish.
Cream: Use heavy cream or 10-30% cream for the best creamy flavor and texture.
Kale: chop the kale before you add it to the soup so you don’t end up with big clumps at the end.
Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese is perfect for this soup.

How to Make Crockpot Zuppa Toscana Soup

Saute: Brown the sausage and onion in a pan.
Add garlic: Add garlic to the pan and stir.

Italian sausage and onion in a black skillet. — Cook Italian sausage and onion.

cooked sausage and onion in black skillet. — Cook Italian sausage and onion.

Put in pot and cook: Add the sausage mixture, broth, potatoes, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes to the Slow Cooker and cook.
Mix in everything else: Stir in the kale, cream, and Parmesan and serve!

ingredients for slow cooker zuppa toscana added to slow cooker. — Add sausage, potatoes, broth and seasonings to slow cooker.

cream parmesan and kale added to crockpot zuppa toscana before serving. — Add sausage, potatoes, broth and seasonings to slow cooker.

Zuppa Toscana Soup FAQs

How do you thicken Zuppa Toscana Soup?

Zuppa Toscana is meant to be a creamy broth but if you prefer it thicker, you can mash some of the potatoes or add a cornstarch slurry to it. Mash potatoes with a potato masher, or blend the soup a bit with an immersion blender.
For the slurry, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water. Once the mixture is smooth, whisk small amounts into the soup until thickened to your liking.

How do I store Zuppa Toscana Soup?

Store leftover Zuppa Toscana in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until piping hot.

Can you freeze Zuppa Toscana Soup?

Freeze this soup for up to 1 month. The texture of potatoes will change with freezing and defrosting, so if that is something that bothers you, I’d advise against it. To reheat it, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and warm on the stove or in the microwave.

Tips and Notes

Dutch Oven. You can make this Zuppa Toscana Soup in a Dutch oven or soup pot if you prefer. Take a look at my Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe for more information.
Kale texture. We prefer the texture of kale with more bite, so we stir it in near the end of the cook time. If you want, you can always add it to the slow cooker at the beginning but it will be softer.