COPYCAT OLIVE GARDEN ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, put water, bouillon, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic, and potatoes. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Sauté the sausage and onion in a skillet, until the sausage is brown, then add it to the stockpot, along with the Kale. Simmer for 20 - 30 minutes, or until Kale and potatoes are tender.
• Add the cream and bacon bits, and simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Notes:.
• I use 10 medium size potatoes.
• Half and Half can be substituted for the heavy cream if desired.
• Kale can be found in the produce department of most grocery stores.
• The soup at The Olive Garden is not thick. If you wish yours to be more like a cream soup, simply simmer it longer, and mash some of the potatoes in the pot with a wooden spoon, and stir frequently until of the desired consistency.

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble hot Italian sausage, about 5-8 minutes. Add onion and garlic and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until some of the onion begins to turn translucent (no need to cook onion completely at this point). Drain grease from skillet.
• In a crock pot, add cooked sausage & veggies plus the diced potato. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour chicken broth on top. There should be enough broth to cover the tops of the potatoes; if there isn't, add up to 2 cups water so potatoes are covered.
• Gently stir ingredients, cover crock pot, and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
• Remove lid from crock pot and add kale and heavy whipping cream, then stir to combine.
• Cover crock pot and cook on HIGH for another 30 minutes.
• Serve zuppa toscana immediately with shredded parmesan cheese as garnish.