Do you love Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup? Yeah, me too! Guess what? Now you can make it at home and this recipe is even better! My recipe for Creamy Sausage Potato Soup is quick and easy to make and gets 5 stars every time!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ All the flavors of a slow cooker flavor but...
✔️ Only takes 30 minutes to make!
✔️ Easy to make, affordable and delicious!
Ingredients
For the complete list of ingredients for this easy Italian sausage potato soup recipe, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Italian sausage - you can use mild or spicy Italian sausage. I prefer using mild because I can control the spice.
- potatoes - I use Yukon Gold potatoes, but you can use red potatoes or russet, but if you use russet you'll need to peel the potatoes.
- kale - curly, black or red kale. You can also use Swiss chard or spinach.
- broth - beef or chicken broth will work, both are delicious, I've made it either way.
- cream - heavy cream, half and half, evaporated milk or whole milk can also be substituted.
- white wine - chardonnay or other dry white wine. You always want to use drinkable wine (not cooking wine). If you're not a wine person substitute with additional stock.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Brown the sausage.
- While it is browning, peel the potatoes. Peel and chop the onion. Add to the sausage along with the seasoning and sauté.
- Next, clean and chop kale, add to the soup along with the bay leaf and garlic, continue to sauté.
- Increase the heat to high, add the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and continue to cook until the potatoes are tender.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cream.
- Serve and enjoy!
Equipment
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- Soup pot or Dutch oven
- Soup ladle
- Soup thermos - great way to save $'s by taking your lunch to work and avoid eating out!
FAQ's
It's an Italian term and refers to a hearty type of soup in which the main ingredients are mostly vegetables. In America, the Olive Garden has popularized Tuscan Sausage Potato Soup with the addition of sausage, resulting in a hearty soup with big flavor!
You can substitute half and half, milk or evaporated milk. If you use milk, a tablespoon of butter will keep the rich creamy flavor.
You can, but I don't recommend it. The potatoes get mealy when frozen and the kale will turn brown. Good news is, it lasts in the refrigerator up to 3 days - enjoy!
Personally, I love kale, but I know it's not for everyone! You can substitute Swiss chard or spinach. Both are great substitutes that are full of flavor.
Things to know
- This is a great make ahead recipe. If you're doing some meal planning, make it on Sunday and enjoy for lunch several days during the week.
- Prep the onions and kale ahead of time for a quick easy meal.
Expert Tip: Finish this soup with a tablespoon of butter to add rich creamy flavor.
Variations
Don't like kale? I think you'll change your mind after trying this soup! But if you're really not a fan of kale, you can substitute with Swiss chard or fresh spinach!
Storage
Refrigerate - allow leftovers to cool completely, store in an airtight container, up to three days.
Freezer - I do not recommend freezing this recipe, potatoes just don't freeze well.
Reheat - reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Related recipes
If you enjoy this soup, here are more that are filled with savory sausage and tons of flavor.
- Be sure and try this recipe for Sausage and Okra Stew it's really quite amazing and is quickly becoming one of the most popular soups on the blog!
- Lentil and sausage soup is really a great combination as well - it's another easy affordable meal.
- One of my favorite creamy soups is this amazing Easy Potato Soup Recipe - so simple and yet so good!
Serve with
What to serve alongside Italian Sausage and Potatoes Soup?
- Crusty bread is delicious or these Cheesy Pizza Hutt Breadsticks Recipe - yum!
- Or make a batch of this Easy Yeast Roll Recipe - I love these soft pillowy rolls!
- A couple other great meal pairings are a yummy Garden Salad this one is totally my favorite!
- Or this great Heirloom Tomato Salad.
Italian Sausage Potato Soup
Ingredients
- ½ pound Italian sausage mild
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 russet potatoes peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bunch kale stems removed, chopped into bite sized pieces
- 4 cups beef broth you can also use chicken stock
- ½ cup cream half and half or milk
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- pinch red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup dry white wine suggest using Chardonnay
Instructions
- Start by by browning the sausage in a large stock pot over medium heat.
- While it is browning, peel the potatoes. Dice, peel and chop an onion, mince one clove of garlic.
- Next clean and chop kale. Remove the stems, chop the leaves into bite sized pieces, set aside.
- When the sausage is done, add the chopped onions, diced potatoes and spices. Sauté until the veggies just begin to soften. Add the kale, sauté for another minute or two.
- Add a splash of wine to the pan to deglaze. Scrape all of the brown bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Increase the heat to high and add the broth. Bring it to a boil. Boil uncovered until the potatoes are tender. Remove from the heat and stir in half and half.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.This post was originally published Sep 29, 2018, updated on May 31, 2022 for reader experience and to provide better instructions.
Richa Gupta
The soup looks incredibly delicious!
Bowl Me Over
It's just the BEST! I hope you give it a try!
Carolyn
This soup is one of my favorites!
Bowl Me Over
Me too, so much flavor Carolyn!
Michele @ Bacon Fatte
I swear I can almost smell your wonderful soup from here... It looks absolutely amazing!
Bowl Me Over
I hope you give it a try Michele, mmmmm! It's just the BEST!!
Jennifer
I love quick meals like this!
Bowl Me Over
Me too, so yummy - thanks Jennifer!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
I can eat soup all day long!
Bowl Me Over
All day long and all year long for me Megan! 😀
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
This soup is a must try!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Bowl Me Over
It's an excellent soup, enjoy Jocelyn
Michaela Kenkel
This is one of my FAVORITE SOUPS of ALL TIMES!! It is so hearty and WARMING. Great post!
Bowl Me Over
Me too - Zuppa Toscana is just the BEST!!
Madi
This sounds like the perfect meal for a chilly winter day! I'm always looking for more soup recipes!
Bowl Me Over
You found the right place to come! 😀 Thank you Madi and stop by anytime!
Elizabeth O
This Zuppa Toscana soup looks delightful and tasty. This is perfect for winter. I will absolutely try to make this soup and will add this to my recipe book.
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful! I know you’ll love it Elizabeth! It’s so hearty with big flavor. Just delicious!
Lori Vachon
I'm totally feeling the soup vibes right now with our temps dropping, this looks perfect!
Bowl Me Over
I’ll put your order in for a big bowl! 🙂 Seriously though, I hope you give it a try - enjoy!
Mama in Heels
Actually, your butternut squash soup looks so delicious!
Bowl Me Over
That soup is AMAZING, enjoy!
Emma, PathofPresence
This is my favorite soup at Olive Garden & now, I can’t believe I have the recipe. Excited to try it out! ?? Thank You
Bowl Me Over
Awesome, you're going to love it Emma! So delicious and easy to make and you'll save a ton-o-dollars making it at home, enjoy!
kimberly lewis
this is my all time favorite soup! I might need to make some tonight!
Bowl Me Over
Let me know what time dinner is ready Kimberly! 😉 Seriously though, I think you'll really enjoy this soup, it's a great hearty meal!!!
AnnMarie John
It looks really good! I think it's the kind of soup that you'll really enjoy during this season. It's also not so difficult to make!
Bowl Me Over
Gotta love a quick and easy meal, I hope you give it a try AnnMarie!
Czjai Reyes-Ocampo
I haven't tried this soup before but it does look yummy. Perfect for cold nights like tonight!
Bowl Me Over
You should definitely give it a try if you’ve never eaten it before. It’s so easy and has big flavor, thanks for stopping by Czjai!
Kelly Reci
Perfect for cold weather. It's tempting to stay at home and wrapped up and have some Zuppa Toscana soup. I'd like to make my own version of it
Bowl Me Over
It is easy to stay at home! Big bowl of soup, a comforter and a good book and I’d be set for the evening!
Healing Tomato
I have always been a fan of Olive Garden Soups. Its so much fun to reverse engineer their soups, isn't it? This soup looks just like their soup.
Bowl Me Over
Yes! I do enjoy trying to figure them out!! Thank you!!
Rachel
Don't think I've tried anything like this before, it looks super warming and yummy though.
Bowl Me Over
Time to get cooking Rachel, enjoy!!
Julie
What a beautiful pan of soup. I'd love a big ole bowl with a hunk of crusty bread!
Bowl Me Over
That’s exactly how we enjoyed it Julie, I hope you do too!
Sandi
OOohhhh! I LOVE kale. What a fun ingredient to add to your Italian soup recipe. A hot bowl full would be perfect tonight, it is so cold here!
Bowl Me Over
Here too Sandi! This is the perfect meal for a cold night!