Description
Hearty Zuppa Toscana is a flavorful Italian-inspired soup featuring savory Italian sausage, tender Yukon Gold potatoes, hearty kale, and a creamy broth enriched with Parmesan cheese and a splash of lemon juice. This comforting soup is easy to prepare on the stovetop and perfect for a nourishing family meal.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Yellow Onion, diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 Teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
- 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
Meat
- 1 Pound Mild Italian Sausage, casing removed
Thickening Agent (Optional)
- 1/4 Cup Arrowroot Starch or Tapioca Flour or Corn Starch
Vegetables & Greens
- 4 Small Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced into chunks
- 1 Cup Kale, chopped
Liquids & Dairy
- 32 Ounces Organic Chicken Broth
- 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream or Full-Fat Coconut Milk or Dairy-Free Milk of Choice
- 1/3 Cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated (plus more for topping)
Garnish
- 1 Lemon, juiced and squeezed over the finished soup
Instructions
- Heat Pan: Begin by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the olive oil to warm up.
- Soften Onions: While the oil heats, dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, red chili flakes, kosher salt, and ground black pepper to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions start to soften and become fragrant.
- Browns Sausage: Remove the casing from the Italian sausage and add the meat to the pot with the softened onions. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until it is browned and cooked through.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in the optional arrowroot starch (or tapioca flour or cornstarch), diced potatoes, chopped kale, chicken broth, heavy cream or dairy-free milk, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix everything well and bring the soup to a gentle boil.
- Boil and Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the potatoes to become tender and the flavors to meld.
- Serve and Store: Finish by squeezing fresh lemon juice over the soup and sprinkling additional Parmesan cheese on top. Serve hot and enjoy. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- The arrowroot starch, tapioca flour, or cornstarch is optional but helps to thicken the soup for a heartier texture.
- You can substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or any dairy-free milk for a vegan-friendly version.
- Add extra Parmesan cheese on top as a garnish for enhanced flavor.
- Leftover soup stores well in the fridge for up to 7 days, making it great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian