Mastering the Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat: Your Ultimate Guide to a Hearty Homemade Soup
Craving that iconic Olive Garden flavor but prefer the comfort of your own kitchen? This Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe is your answer! Packed with robust, naturally gluten-free ingredients like savory Italian sausage, fresh kale, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and a touch of red pepper spice, this soup is incredibly satisfying. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to recreate this restaurant favorite right at home!
Olive Garden holds a special place in the hearts of many, renowned for its comforting Italian-American fare, particularly its endless soup, salad, and breadsticks. Among their beloved quartet of soups – Chicken & Gnocchi, Pasta e Fagioli, Minestrone, and Zuppa Toscana – one consistently stands out as a crowd-pleaser and a fan favorite.
Indeed, Zuppa Toscana proudly claims its title as Olive Garden’s most popular soup. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures: the piquant kick from crushed red pepper and flavorful Italian sausage, the earthiness of kale, the substantial bite of tender potatoes, and the irresistible creaminess of the rich broth, all harmonizing perfectly. It’s truly a match made in culinary heaven – or at least, at Olive Garden! At roughly 500 calories per generous bowl, this hearty and substantial soup can easily be enjoyed as a meal on its own. However, for the full Olive Garden experience, we highly recommend pairing it with its classic accompaniments – a crisp Olive Garden-style Salad and creamy Salad Dressing, and of course, some warm, garlic-infused Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks perfect for dipping.
If you’re looking to expand your repertoire of warm, delicious soups, don’t miss out on other fantastic recipes! Why not try my comforting Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup for a quick and hearty meal, or delve into the unique and indulgent flavors of my Creamy Cabbage & Bleu Cheese Soup? Each offers a distinct and delightful experience, perfect for any soup lover.
WHAT IS ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP?
The name itself offers a clue to its origins: “Toscana” refers to the picturesque Tuscany region of Italy, a place celebrated for its rustic, flavorful cuisine. “Zuppa” is simply the Italian word for soup. Thus, “Zuppa Toscana” literally translates to “Tuscan soup,” invoking images of hearty, wholesome dishes from the Italian countryside. While the Olive Garden version has its own distinct Americanized twist, the spirit of robust, ingredient-driven Italian cooking is at its core.
This Zuppa Toscana copycat recipe delivers a wholesome, warm, and deeply satisfying soup that is naturally gluten-free and grain-free, making it a wonderful option for various dietary needs. The flavors are a perfect balance of creamy richness and a subtle, inviting spice that lingers delightfully on the palate. Trust me – from the moment the savory Italian sausage begins to brown in your pot, releasing its aromatic spices along with the crushed red pepper flakes, to the fragrant sautéing of the sweet onion, pungent garlic, and crispy bacon, your kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma that will undoubtedly make your tummy growl in anticipation! The best part? This Zuppa Toscana recipe is incredibly freezer-friendly. This means you can easily make a large batch, enjoy some now, and store the rest for convenient, delicious leftovers to take to lunch or for a quick weeknight dinner when you’re short on time.
Are you on a quest for more beloved restaurant dishes you can effortlessly recreate at home? Explore my collection of copycat recipes! You absolutely must try my indulgent Copy Cat Taco Bell Enchirito Recipe, the sweet and savory Cinnamon Honey Butter – A Texas Roadhouse Copycat Recipe that melts in your mouth, or dive into a bowl of rich, flavorful Cincinnati Chili | Skyline Chili Copycat! Each recipe brings a taste of your favorite eateries right to your dining table.
INGREDIENTS FOR COPYCAT OLIVE GARDEN ZUPPA TOSCANA
Crafting the perfect Zuppa Toscana at home relies on a thoughtful selection of high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the soup’s distinctive flavor profile and hearty texture.
- Italian Sausage: This is the cornerstone of the soup’s robust flavor. Italian sausage is preferred for its inherent blend of seasonings, which greatly contributes to the soup’s peppery, savory notes. You can choose mild Italian sausage for a gentler flavor or hot Italian sausage if you desire an extra kick of spice to truly mimic Olive Garden’s version.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: These small but mighty flakes are key to providing that signature spicy heat in Zuppa Toscana. You can adjust the amount to your personal preference – use less for a milder soup, or add a bit more for a bolder, spicier experience.
- White Onion: Finely diced white onion forms the aromatic foundation of the soup. When sautéed until soft and translucent, it releases a subtle sweetness that helps to balance the heat from the sausage and peppers, creating a well-rounded flavor.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon adds a smoky, salty depth that is essential to Zuppa Toscana. For this recipe, a helpful tip is to use pre-cooked, real bacon pieces found in the salad section of your grocery store. This prevents excessive bacon grease, making the cooking process cleaner and reducing overall fat in the soup, while still delivering that irresistible bacon flavor. If using raw bacon, cook it first, drain the grease, and then proceed with the recipe.
- Garlic Puree: Garlic is indispensable for its pungent aroma and flavor. Garlic purée offers convenience and consistent flavor, acting as an excellent substitute for fresh minced garlic in all dishes. It’s also easily stored. If using fresh garlic, aim for 4-5 cloves, minced.
- Water: Water serves a dual purpose in this recipe: it helps control the soup’s thickness, ensuring it’s not overly dense, and it’s the liquid base in which the bouillon cubes are dissolved to create a flavorful chicken broth.
- Chicken Bouillon Cubes: When combined with hot water, these concentrated cubes rapidly dissolve to form a savory chicken broth. This is a convenient and effective way to build the foundational liquid for your soup, offering a rich and consistent chicken flavor. You can also use pre-made chicken broth or stock if preferred, adjusting the amount of water accordingly.
- Heavy Cream: The heavy cream is what gives Zuppa Toscana its signature velvety, luxurious texture and rich mouthfeel. It’s crucial for preventing the soup from curdling, especially when heated, and it also contributes to better freezing and defrosting results, ensuring your leftovers remain deliciously creamy.
- Russet Potatoes: Russet potatoes are ideal for this soup due to their starchy texture, which softens beautifully and slightly thickens the broth as they cook. The recipe calls for approximately 3 large potatoes, sliced with their skins left on. Keeping the skins on adds rustic charm and extra fiber, but you can peel them if you prefer a smoother texture.
- Kale: Fresh kale is the vibrant, nutritious green added to this soup. When combined with the hot, savory broth and other rich ingredients, the kale wilts down beautifully, absorbing all the delicious flavors without retaining its usual bitterness that can sometimes be present when eaten raw. It adds a wonderful texture and a pop of color to the finished dish.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE ZUPPA TOSCANA
Creating this beloved Olive Garden copycat Zuppa Toscana is surprisingly straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Follow these steps for a homemade soup that rivals the original.
PREP & BROWN
Begin by preparing your ingredients: slice your potatoes, chop your kale, and dice your onion. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Add the crushed red pepper flakes to the sausage as it browns, allowing their flavors to infuse. Once the sausage is thoroughly cooked and beautifully browned, drain any excess fat from the pot. This step is crucial for preventing your soup from becoming greasy. Transfer the cooked sausage to a separate dish and set it aside, or even refrigerate it while you continue to prepare the other components of the soup.
Using the same pot (no need to clean it, those browned bits add flavor!), add your bacon pieces, diced white onions, and garlic purée. Sauté these aromatics for approximately 15 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. The goal here is to allow the onions to soften and become translucent, releasing their natural sweetness, and for the garlic to become fragrant without browning. The bacon should also crisp up and add another layer of savory depth to the base of your soup.
BUILD THE BROTH
In a separate bowl or directly in the pot, mix together the chicken bouillon cubes and water until the bouillon dissolves completely, creating a rich chicken broth. Pour this flavorful broth into the pot with the sautéed onions, bacon, and garlic. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, ensuring all the flavors meld together.
SIMMER & FINISH
Once the broth is boiling, carefully add the sliced Russet potatoes to the pot. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, which usually takes about half an hour. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. After the potatoes are cooked, pour in the heavy cream and continue to cook, stirring gently, until the soup is thoroughly heated through. Be careful not to boil the soup once the cream has been added to prevent curdling. Finally, stir in the reserved cooked Italian sausage, allowing it to heat through and meld with the creamy broth and tender vegetables.
SERVE
The final touch for your Zuppa Toscana is the fresh kale. Add the chopped kale leaves to the pot just before serving. Stir them in gently and allow them to wilt for a minute or two in the hot soup. This ensures the kale retains its vibrant color and a slight bite. Ladle generously into bowls and enjoy immediately! Garnish with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese or a few extra red pepper flakes if desired.
STORE & REHEAT
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious Zuppa Toscana for days to come. Make sure the soup is fully cooled to room temperature before storing. To freeze: Transfer the cooled soup into freezer-friendly bags or airtight containers. This soup can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. For refrigerator storage: Place the cooled soup in an airtight container and consume it within 5 days for optimal freshness and flavor.
WHY MAKE ZUPPA TOSCANA AT HOME?
There are countless reasons to whip up a batch of homemade Zuppa Toscana instead of heading to Olive Garden. First and foremost, it’s often more **cost-effective**. Buying ingredients and making a large pot typically costs less than dining out for the same amount of soup. Secondly, you have complete **control over the ingredients**. This means you can choose higher quality, fresher produce, organic meats, and adjust the sodium or fat content to better suit your dietary preferences. For instance, if you prefer less spice, you can easily dial back the red pepper flakes. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, coconut cream can be used in place of heavy cream.
Beyond customization, the **freshness and flavor** of homemade soup are unparalleled. You’ll taste the difference when the ingredients are freshly cooked, and the aromas filling your kitchen are simply intoxicating. Plus, making soup from scratch is a wonderfully **satisfying culinary experience**. It’s a comforting process that culminates in a hearty, delicious meal perfect for chilly evenings or a gathering with loved ones. It also makes for fantastic **meal prep**, offering delicious, healthy lunches throughout the week.
TIPS FOR THE PERFECT ZUPPA TOSCANA
- Don’t Skimp on Browning: Achieving a deep brown on your Italian sausage is crucial for flavor development. This caramelization adds a rich, savory depth that can’t be rushed.
- Manage the Spice: Start with the recommended amount of crushed red pepper flakes, then taste and adjust. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
- Potato Consistency: Slice your potatoes evenly to ensure they cook at the same rate. This prevents some pieces from being undercooked while others are mushy.
- Kale Timing is Key: Add the kale just before serving to maintain its bright green color and tender-crisp texture. Overcooking kale can make it bitter and mushy.
- Prevent Curdling: When adding heavy cream, ensure the soup is simmering, not at a rapid boil. Stir it in slowly and heat it through without bringing it back to a hard boil.
- Season to Taste: Before serving, always taste your soup. Bouillon and sausage already contain salt, so add additional salt and pepper only as needed.
VARIATIONS & CUSTOMIZATIONS
One of the joys of cooking at home is the freedom to customize. Here are some ideas for your Zuppa Toscana:
- Spice Level: For those who love heat, add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes or even a dash of hot sauce to individual bowls. For milder versions, reduce the flakes or use sweet Italian sausage.
- Vegetarian/Vegan: Omit the sausage and bacon. Use a plant-based sausage substitute or add extra vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini. Swap chicken bouillon for vegetable bouillon and heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free creamer.
- Other Greens: While kale is traditional, spinach or collard greens can also be used. Add spinach at the very end as it wilts much faster than kale.
- Protein Swaps: If Italian sausage isn’t your preference, ground turkey or chicken can be seasoned with Italian herbs (fennel, oregano, basil) to achieve a similar flavor profile.
- Thicker Soup: If you prefer a thicker soup, mash a few of the cooked potatoes against the side of the pot before adding the cream, or stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with a little cold water) at the end.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
While Zuppa Toscana is fantastic on its own, it truly shines when paired with certain accompaniments.
- Garlic Breadsticks: The classic Olive Garden pairing. Our Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks are perfect for soaking up every last drop of the creamy broth.
- Fresh Green Salad: A light, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup. Our Olive Garden Salad and Salad Dressing recipe is an ideal complement.
- Crusty Artisan Bread: A loaf of warm, crusty bread is always a good idea for dipping into hearty soups.
- Shaved Parmesan: A generous sprinkle of freshly shaved or grated Parmesan cheese just before serving adds an extra layer of salty, umami flavor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
- Can I make Zuppa Toscana ahead of time? Yes, absolutely! This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Follow the storage instructions above.
- Is this soup really gluten-free? Yes, with the specified ingredients, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Always double-check ingredient labels for any hidden gluten, especially in processed items like bouillon cubes or bacon bits.
- What kind of kale should I use? Curly kale or Lacinato (Dinosaur) kale both work wonderfully. Just be sure to remove the tough stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- Can I substitute half-and-half for heavy cream? While heavy cream provides the richest texture and freezes best, half-and-half can be used for a lighter version. Be extra careful not to boil the soup after adding half-and-half, as it is more prone to curdling.
- My soup seems too thick/thin. How can I fix it? If it’s too thick, add a bit more water or chicken broth until desired consistency is reached. If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for a bit longer to reduce, or mash a few more cooked potatoes into the soup.
Love it? Pin it!
Don’t let these fantastic Olive Garden-inspired recipes slip away! Make sure to pin this Zuppa Toscana recipe to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest before you go. It’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
OTHER HEARTY SOUPS & RECIPES YOU WILL ENJOY
If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting warmth of Zuppa Toscana, you’re in for a treat! Here are more delicious, soul-satisfying recipes that are sure to become new family favorites:
- Philly Cheese Steak Soup (pictured above) – A hearty and indulgent soup that captures the iconic flavors of a Philly cheesesteak.
- Potato, Green Bean & Bacon Soup – A classic comfort food, this soup is wholesome, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make.
- Honey Bourbon Glazed Beets with Crispy Kale – While not a soup, this side dish is a fantastic way to enjoy kale’s earthy flavors with a sweet, boozy glaze.
- Sauerkraut, Bratwurst and Potato Soup – A German-inspired soup, perfect for a cold day with its tangy, savory, and satisfying flavors.
- Cheesy Corn Chowder – Creamy, rich, and full of sweet corn, this chowder is a delightful family-friendly meal.
- Easiest Lasagna Soup Recipe + Video – All the incredible flavors of lasagna, transformed into a comforting, easy-to-make soup!
- Polish Sauerkraut Soup (KAPUSNIAK) – A traditional Eastern European soup bursting with tangy sauerkraut and hearty ingredients.
- How to Make Turkey Stock – Essential for building deep flavor in any soup, this guide helps you master homemade stock.
- Italian Chicken Noodle Soup – A comforting classic reinvented with vibrant Italian flavors.
- Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup – Another popular Olive Garden favorite, this copycat recipe brings home the hearty pasta and bean soup.
Why deal with the hassle of crowded restaurants and long waiting lines when you can create an unforgettable “Olive Garden Night at Home”? It’s one of our family’s most cherished traditions! So, in addition to this incredible Zuppa Toscana recipe, we’ve got you covered with the perfect salad and dressing recipe as well as the famous breadstick recipe to complete your feast. Turn a simple dinner into a memorable experience for everyone!
Ready to create some magic in your kitchen? Let’s make some Zuppa! 
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Print Recipe
Zuppa Toscana – Olive Garden Copy Cat Recipe
Equipment
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Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Classic Red Enamel Dutch Oven (Island Spice Red)
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12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1½ tsp crushed red peppers
- 1 large diced white onion
- 4 Tbsp bacon pieces I bought the REAL bacon pieces in the salad section, worked great and not as much grease
- 2 tsp garlic puree
- 10 cups water
- 5 cubes of chicken bouillon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lb sliced Russet potatoes or about 3 large potatoes (sliced with skins left on)
- ¼ of a bunch of kale chopped I used my kitchen shears
Instructions
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Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
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In the same pan, sauté bacon, onions and garlic for approximately 15 mins. or until the onions are soft.
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Mix together the chicken bouillon and water, then add it to the onions, bacon and garlic. Cook until boiling.
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Add potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
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Add heavy cream and cook until thoroughly heated.
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Stir in the sausage.
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Add kale just before serving.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on October 17, 2011. It has been meticulously updated and expanded to improve user experience, provide more detailed instructions, and enhance SEO compatibility. Re-shared on April 10, 2022.