This post was most recently updated on May 13th, 2023
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I’m not sure there is any reason to tell you what Zuppa Toscana soup is. Everyone knows how delicious it is, and you simply can’t go to Olive Garden and not order a bowl of it with your dinner! Potatoes, sausage and kale simmered in a delicious broth.
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup
I’ve been making this soup for our family for over ten years using this recipe from Tuscan Recipes.Ā To make a slow cooker version I reduced the amount of liquid and re-arranged the order that I added some of the ingredients. I find that I usually have more time in the morning to prepare dinner so I like finding ways to modify my favorite soup recipes to make them slow cooker friendly. No more rushing home from piano lessons or errands to start dinner.
Zuppa Toscana Shopping List
(scroll to the end of the post for a printable recipe card)
- Italian sausage (1 lb.)
- yellow onion (1)
- garlic (3 cloves, fresh or minced in jar)
- potatoes (1 lb. or 3 large)
- bacon pieces—I use precooked bacon crumbles. Ā (1/4 cup)
- chicken broth (4 cups)
- water (2 cups)
- kale (4-5 cups)
- heavy cream (1 cup)
- red pepper flakes (to taste)
- salt/pepper (to taste)
Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Directions
Brown sausage with onions and garlic in a large skillet. Transfer to a slow cooker and add chopped potatoes, chicken broth, water, bacon, and spices. Stir. Cook on HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours. Add chopped kale and cream and cook on HIGH for an additional 30-45 minutes.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese (optional) and serve with crusty bread or breadsticks.
Stove Top Directions
Brown sausage with onions and garlic in a large stock pot at medium-high heat. Transfer the sausage mixture to a plate. You can drain the grease, but I like keeping it in the pot for flavor.
Add potatoes, broth, water, bacon, and spices to the pot. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and allow broth and potatoes to simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork tender.
Add kale and cooked sausage. Bring soup to a boil. Stir in heavy cream. Return to a boil then remove from heat.
I like serving the soup with our quick parmesan garlic breadsticks. They take 40 minutes to make and are SO buttery and delicious. I learned how to make them at a bread making class at church when I was newly married. They’ve been a staple in our home ever since!
Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana RecipE
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian sausage
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves fresh or 2 teaspoons minced from jar
- 1 lb. potatoes chopped (3 large)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup bacon pieces fresh or bacon bits
- red pepper flakes to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4-5 cups kale chopped
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Brown sausage with onions and garlic in a skillet.
- Transfer to a slow cooker and add potatoes, chicken broth, water, bacon and spices.
- Cook on HIGH 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours.
- Add chopped kale and cream and cook on HIGH an additional 30-45 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
That is my favorite Olive Garden soup and yet it never occurred to me to try to make it myself! Meanwhile, the breadsticks? I’m totally making them with dinner tomorrow night – we’re having family over and I’m sure they’ll go over really big!
Thanks so much for sharing this!
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Life with the Lebedas
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Jennifer š
Yummy, can’t wait to try this recipe out!!!
I love that soup too. going to try that recipe!
This is a great soup and a favorite of ours — both at Olive Garden and at home!
i have to give this a try too.. i love this soup a lot. thanks
That looks sooooo yummy!
This sounds SO good! I am in love with soups. I’ll have to try it out.
Oh, my word! You are my new best friend for posting this. My favorite OG soup! Thanks!
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Oh Yummy! I’m going to have to try this!
I’m a Pasta Fagiole girl, but my hubby is all about the Zuppa Toscana… thanks for the link! And you are so right… what’s soup without the breadsticks???
Yummy!
Thanks for linking up!
~Liz
I am just dropping by from the link party and I just had to tell you how delicious this looks! Thanks for sharing. I have a breadstick recipe that I love but mine have to rise twice and take forever! I will have to give this one a try. Thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness, I LOVE Olive Garden breadsticks! Plus, my brand new KitchenAid mixer is on its way. š I can’t wait to try these!
I love OLG breadsticks.
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have a great crafting weekend!
Maggie
http://passionatelyartistic.com