This is the best zuppa toscana copy cat recipe I’ve ever tried….and I have been making different variations of this copycat soup for years. This is my mom’s recipe and I’m including both pressure cooker and slow cooker instructions so you can make it whatever way you desire!!
The only thing my mom does that is noticeably different than Olive Garden is she doesn’t use russet potatoes, she uses red potatoes. Here is why…(ready for an Idaho potato lesson?)
There are basically two different types of potatoes.
Baking potatoes
In the store you will find them as russets, russet burbank, russet arcadia, and Idaho..and many more. They have a brown rough texture on the outside.
Boiling potatoes
If you have ever mashed a red potato you probably notice it tasted fine but kind of had a texture of glue. they are not the best for mashing…
Boiling potatoes have a waxy, thin skin, in the store they are titles as red, yellow, salad, round white, etc potatoes.
With that alll being said. You can make your choice. My mom likes to let this soup simmer for a long time, let those flavors mingle baby, so she uses red potatoes. But I often interchange my potatoes, sometimes it just depends on what I have in my cupboard, sometimes its because I prefer the taste of one in a dish. I feel for this soup either potato will taste just fine, but if you are cooking it for a long period of time maybe go for the red potato.
How to make zuppa toscana
Start by cooking your ground sausage, and drain the grease. Then add in the bacon, garlic and onion. Cook until the onion is translucent and add in the broth and potatoes. Let it come to a soft boil and add chopped kale.Let simmer for about 30 minutes and then add cream if desired.
Pressure cooker zuppas toscana
To make this in the pressure cooker, cook meat in saute setting. Drain grease and still while on saute setting add onion, garlic and bacon. When onions are soft (after just a few minutes) add broth, potatoes and kale. Seal and cook on high for 4 minutes. Quick release, remove lid and stir in cream if desired. Serve immediately.
A healthy and delicious italian soup.
- 1 lb ground italian sausage
- 2-3 medium russet potatoes or 5 red potatoes * read potato tips on blog post
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1/4 cup real bacon pieces
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 32 oz chicken broth
- 1 cup chopped kale
- 1/4-1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Stove Top instructions: Brown sausage in pan drain excess grease.
Add garlic, onion and saute for a few more minutes until onions soften. Add chicken broth,potatoes and kale in pan bring to a boil and let simmer for 30 min-to 1 hour
before serving add desired amount of cream.
- Slow Cooker Instructions: Place sausage, chicken broth, garlic, potatoes and onion in slow cooker with just enough water to cover the veggies and meat.
cook on high for 3-4 hours until potatoes are soft.
30 minutes before serving add cream and kale to crock pot.
Pressure Cooker Instructions: Brown sausage on saute mode drain excess grease.
Add garlic, onion and saute for a few more minutes until onions soften. Add chicken broth,potatoes and kale. Cook manual high pressure 4 minutes. Quick release, and add cream before serving.
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Made this last week and it turned out GREAT! One of my favs at OG.
This is my favorite recipe!
I assume I’m supposed to slice the potatoes before cooking?? It doesn’t say…or am I just missing it…?
A million times better than Olive Garden.