Name: Hearty Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana for Cozy Nights
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 medium White Onion (dice into 1/4-inch pieces for even cooking); 1 lb Spicy Italian Ground Sausage (can substitute with regular or sweet sausage); to taste Salt (adjust to taste); to taste Black Pepper (freshly ground is preferred); 4 cups Water (or chicken broth for richer flavor); 3 cups Yellow Potatoes (cut into 1/2-inch cubes); 2 cups Kale (remove stems and chop leaves); 1 cup Heavy Cream (no substitutes recommended); 2 tbsp Butter (unsalted) (use high-quality butter like Kerrygold); 3 cloves Minced Garlic (fresh garlic is ideal); 4 cups Chicken Broth (homemade or low-sodium types are advisable); 1/2 cup Bacon Bits (can substitute with crispy pancetta); 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (use fresh or high-quality pre-grated)

Description

Hearty Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup for Cozy Nights

Ingredients

Scale

1 medium White Onion (dice into 1/4-inch pieces for even cooking)
1 lb Spicy Italian Ground Sausage (can substitute with regular or sweet sausage)
to taste Salt (adjust to taste)
to taste Black Pepper (freshly ground is preferred)
4 cups Water (or chicken broth for richer flavor)
3 cups Yellow Potatoes (cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
2 cups Kale (remove stems and chop leaves)
1 cup Heavy Cream (no substitutes recommended)
2 tbsp Butter (unsalted) (use high-quality butter like Kerrygold)
3 cloves Minced Garlic (fresh garlic is ideal)
4 cups Chicken Broth (homemade or low-sodium types are advisable)
1/2 cup Bacon Bits (can substitute with crispy pancetta)
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (use fresh or high-quality pre-grated)

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Instructions

Brown the Sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat over medium-high and cook the ground sausage for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart until nicely browned.
Set Aside the Sausage: Remove and set aside the cooked sausage, keeping the rendered fat in the pot.
Sauté the Onion: Add butter and diced onion to the pot; cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.
Add the Garlic: Stir in minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
Combine the Broth and Potatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and water; add cubed potatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-12 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
Incorporate the Kale and Cream: Stir in chopped kale and heavy cream; let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the kale wilts.
Return the Sausage: Add the browned sausage back into the pot, adjust the seasonings, and let simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot, topped with optional bacon bits and grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 350
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 12 g
Cholesterol: 60 mg