Olive Garden Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup (Video)

Watch our step by step video!

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. 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.  (¼ 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

If you love Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana soup, you'll love this delicious slow cooker version! Serve with our favorite homemade breadsticks!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours hours

Total Time: 5 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 bowls

Calories: 352kcal

Author: Brandy Nelson

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
• ▢ ¼ 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

Note: turkey sausage may be substituted for pork sausage.

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcal

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