Description
Hearty Zuppa Toscana blends Italian countryside comfort with creamy potato and spicy sausage perfection. Rustic flavors and simple ingredients combine for a soul-warming bowl that brings Tuscan warmth right to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 4 strips bacon, chopped
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 3 cups kale, chopped
Liquid and Seasoning:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate heat until achieving a crisp golden texture, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a separate plate, reserving the rendered fat.
- Introduce Italian sausage directly into the same pot, methodically fragmenting the meat while cooking. Allow the protein to brown completely and release its rich flavors, about 6-7 minutes. Carefully drain any excess lipids.
- Gently incorporate diced onions into the meaty foundation, sautéing until translucent and softened. Introduce minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes, allowing the aromatics to bloom and release their intense fragrances.
- Cascade chicken broth into the pot, nestling sliced potatoes within the liquid landscape. Elevate the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce thermal intensity, permitting potatoes to tenderize for 12-14 minutes.
- Delicately fold chopped kale into the simmering liquid, watching the verdant leaves wilt and integrate seamlessly. Reduce heat and stream heavy cream, creating a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Season the soup with judicious amounts of salt and freshly cracked black pepper, tasting and adjusting to personal preference.
- Ladle the steaming zuppa into serving vessels, garnishing with crisp bacon fragments and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Accompany with rustic bread for an authentic Tuscan dining experience.
Notes
- Swap Italian sausage with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tempeh or vegan sausage for a vegetarian version that maintains the hearty texture and flavor profile.
- Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes, allowing everyone from mild-loving to heat-seeking diners to enjoy the soup comfortably.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to manage salt content, especially helpful for those watching their sodium intake without compromising the rich taste.
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for better texture, as they hold their shape during cooking and provide a creamy, smooth consistency to the zuppa.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg