Description
Rustic homemade zuppa toscana soup blends Italian countryside flavors with hearty ingredients from Tuscany. Rich broth combines spicy sausage, tender potatoes, and kale for a comforting meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 4 cups (946 ml) russet potatoes (sliced thin or cubed)
- 3 cups (710 ml) kale (stems removed, chopped)
- 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
- 2 cups (473 ml) water
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup (237 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (118 ml) cooked bacon (crumbled, for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sizzle Italian sausage in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it into rustic fragments until golden brown. Remove sausage, reserving the rich, caramelized drippings.
- Aromatic Foundation: Sauté diced onions in the same pot until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, allowing its fragrance to bloom for one minute, creating a robust flavor base.
- Liquid and Potato Infusion: Pour chicken broth and water into the pot, submerge cubed potatoes, and bring to a vigorous boil. Reduce heat, allowing potatoes to simmer and tenderize for 12-15 minutes until fork-tender.
- Green Integration: Reincorporate the reserved sausage and fold in chopped kale, letting the greens wilt and intertwine with the soup’s essence for 4-5 minutes, creating a vibrant, hearty mixture.
- Creamy Finale: Gently stream heavy cream into the pot, stirring to create a luxurious, unified texture. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to elevate the soup’s depth.
- Serving Flourish: Ladle the soup into warm bowls, garnishing with crispy bacon bits and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a decadent finishing touch.
Notes
- Sausage Browning Technique: Ensure thorough caramelization by breaking sausage into small, uneven pieces for maximum flavor development and crispy texture.
- Potato Cooking Precision: Cut potatoes into uniform cubes to guarantee even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Cream Integration Strategy: Add cream at the end and avoid boiling to maintain its smooth texture and prevent potential separation or curdling.
- Kale Wilting Wisdom: Add kale near the end of cooking to preserve its vibrant color, nutrients, and prevent overcooking into a soggy, bland state.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg