This easy Zuppa Toscana soup is the cozy, one-pot dinner your busy weeknights need. First, brown the turkey sausage. Then, simmer the potatoes and stir in the kale. As a result, a warm, creamy bowl of soup is on the table in about 30 minutes.
If you love the Zuppa Toscana at Olive Garden, you are going to love this lighter homemade version. Traditional recipes use pork sausage and heavy cream. Instead, I use Italian turkey sausage, chicken bone broth, and fat-free half and half. That way, you still get a rich, creamy soup with a lot less saturated fat. In fact, each bowl has 41 grams of protein, so this high protein soup keeps you full and satisfied for hours.
As a dietitian and a mom, I need dinners that are healthy, fast, and family-friendly. Thankfully, this healthy Zuppa Toscana checks every box. Plus, everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is quick too. Best of all, it is a healthy family dinner that tastes like you ordered it at a restaurant.
Ingredients in Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup
1 lb Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 tsp garlic, minced
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
¼ tsp black pepper
4 cups low-sodium chicken bone broth
2 cups water
1 lb baby potatoes, quartered
3 cups chopped kale
1 cup fat-free half and half (or lite coconut milk for dairy-free)
2 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
¼ cup grated parmesan
How to Make Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup
- First, brown the turkey sausage in a large pot, then set it aside.
- Next, sauté the onion and garlic with olive oil and seasonings for 3 minutes.
- Then, add the potatoes, bone broth, and water. After that, bring to a boil and simmer for 10–12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, microwave your bacon while the potatoes cook.
- After that, add the sausage back in along with the half and half and kale.
- Then, simmer for 3–5 minutes to soften the kale.
- Finally, top with bacon and parmesan.
Want to see how quickly this soup comes together? Watch the recipe video on YouTube. (Link the public video URL here, not the YouTube Studio edit link.)
Nutrition Facts: This recipe makes 5 servings: Calories: 446 Total Fat: 20 g Saturated Fat: 5 g Carb: 21 g Fiber: 3 g Sugar: 5 g Protein: 41 g Sodium: 800 mg
Variations of Zuppa Toscana Soup
This Zuppa Toscana soup recipe is easy to change up based on what your family enjoys and what you have on hand.
Turn Up the Heat: Use hot Italian turkey sausage or add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes. On the other hand, if your kids prefer mild food, choose sweet Italian turkey sausage and skip the red pepper flakes.
Make It Dairy-Free: Replace the half and half with lite coconut milk. Then, skip the parmesan or sprinkle on a little nutritional yeast instead.
Swap the Greens: Not a kale fan? Stir in baby spinach instead. However, spinach wilts quickly, so add it during the last 1–2 minutes.
Change the Potatoes: Baby potatoes cook quickly and need no peeling. However, diced Yukon Gold or red potatoes work well too. For a lower-carb soup, swap the potatoes for cauliflower florets.
Switch the Protein: Italian chicken sausage makes a great substitute. Alternatively, use lean ground turkey and add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
Add More Fiber: Stir in a can of rinsed and drained cannellini beans along with the sausage. As a result, you get extra fiber and even more staying power.
Make It in the Crockpot: First, brown the sausage on the stove. Next, add everything except the half and half and kale to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. Finally, stir in the half and half and kale, then cook for 15–20 more minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zuppa Toscana Soup
What is Zuppa Toscana? First of all, Zuppa Toscana means “Tuscan soup” in Italian. However, the version most of us know is the creamy sausage, potato and kale soup made popular by Olive Garden.
Is Zuppa Toscana healthy? It certainly can be! Typically, restaurant versions rely on pork sausage and heavy cream. However, this healthy Zuppa Toscana uses turkey sausage, bone broth, and fat-free half and half instead. As a result, you get protein, veggies, and comfort in one bowl.
How much protein is in this soup? Each serving has 41 grams of protein. In fact, the turkey sausage and chicken bone broth do most of the work. Therefore, this is a true high protein soup.
Can I use spinach instead of kale? Yes! In fact, spinach is a great swap. However, stir it in at the very end, because it only needs 1–2 minutes to wilt.
Do I need to peel the potatoes? No, and that is one reason this recipe is so quick. After all, baby potatoes have thin, tender skin. Plus, leaving the skin on adds a little extra fiber.
How do I make Zuppa Toscana thicker? First, mash a few of the cooked potatoes against the side of the pot. Then, stir them into the broth. As a result, the potatoes thicken the soup naturally, so you do not need flour.
Will the half and half curdle? It can separate if the soup boils hard. Therefore, lower the heat before you add it. After that, keep the soup at a gentle simmer.
Is this Zuppa Toscana soup gluten-free? Yes, the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Still, double-check the labels on your sausage and broth to be sure.
How to Store and Reheat Zuppa Toscana Soup
This soup makes great leftovers, so it is perfect for meal prep lunches all week.
Store: Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Also, keep the bacon in a separate container so it stays crisp.
Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months. Dairy can separate a bit after freezing, so for the best texture, freeze the soup before adding the half and half. Then, stir it in while you reheat. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Warm a single portion in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Or, reheat a larger batch on the stove over medium-low heat. If the soup thickened in the fridge, add a splash of broth.
Add your bacon and parmesan right before serving so they stay fresh.
What to Serve with Zuppa Toscana Soup
This soup is a hearty meal on its own, but these simple sides turn it into a full family dinner:
- Side Salad: A crisp Italian-style salad with a light vinaigrette gives you that soup-and-salad restaurant feel at home.
- Whole Grain Bread: A slice of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the creamy broth.
- Garlic Bread or Breadsticks: The classic pairing, and the kids love them.
- Roasted Veggies: Roasted broccoli or green beans add extra color and fiber..
Looking for more cozy, high-protein soup recipes?
Try our Crockpot White Bean Chicken Chili or our Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup for another healthy family dinner with just 10 minutes of prep.
Zuppa Toscana Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian turkey sausage remove casing
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Yellow onion chopped
- 2 tsp Garlic Minced or jarred
- 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 4 Cups Low-sodium chicken bone broth
- 2 Cups Water
- 1 lb Baby potatoes quartered
- 3 Cups Kale chopped
- 1 Cup Fat free half and half or lite coconut milk for dairy free
- 2 Slice Bacon cooked + chopped
- 1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Brown the turkey sausage in a large pot, then set aside.
- Sauté onion and garlic with olive oil and seasonings for 3 minutes.
- Add potatoes, bone broth, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10–12 minutes.
- Microwave your bacon while potatoes cook.
- Add sausage back in with half and half and kale.
- Simmer for 3–5 minutes to soften the kale.
- Top with bacon + parmesan.
Nutrition
About the Author: Rachel Roberts Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist
Rachel Roberts is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist in Rhode Island, a Certified Personal Trainer, business owner, mom, wife, and self-proclaimed foodie with over 20 years of experience in the field of health and wellness. She believes that healthy eating should not be complicated or time-consuming. Follow her on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram for more Dietitian approved recipes and healthy lifestyle tips to improve your health.
Need some help getting your health on track? Rachel and her team of Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists help people lose weight and achieve their health and wellness goals! Meet in person with one of our Nutritionists in RI. We also offer online nutrition coaching sessions to people in RI, MA, CT and FL. Click here to schedule a consultation. In most cases our nutritionists are 100% covered by health insurance.
