Description
Hearty Zuppa Toscana is a comforting Italian-inspired soup featuring savory Italian sausage, tender Yukon Gold potatoes, kale, and a creamy broth enriched with parmesan cheese and a hint of lemon. Perfect for a cozy meal, this flavorful soup is made quickly on the stovetop and offers a delightful balance of textures and rich taste.
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
Main Ingredients
- 1 Pound Mild Italian Sausage, casing removed
- 1/4 Cup Arrowroot Starch or Tapioca Flour or Corn Starch (optional for thickening)
- 4 Small Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced into chunks
- 1 Cup Kale, chopped
- 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 extra for topping)
- 1 Lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Heat Pan: Begin by heating a large pot or Dutch oven on the stove over medium heat. Add the olive oil once hot to prepare for sautéing the aromatics.
- Soften Onions: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the heated oil along with Italian seasoning, red chili flakes, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions become soft and fragrant.
- Browns Sausage: Add the mild Italian sausage to the pan, removing the casing beforehand. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small pieces and cook thoroughly until browned, ensuring it is fully cooked and slightly crispy in spots.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in the arrowroot starch (or alternative thickener, if using), diced Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped kale, chicken broth, heavy cream (or dairy-free substitute), and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Boil and Simmer: Bring the soup mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and allow the soup to simmer for 15 minutes, cooking the potatoes until tender and allowing flavors to meld.
- Serve and Store: After simmering, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top of the soup and sprinkle additional parmesan cheese as a garnish. Serve hot and enjoy immediately. Store any leftovers in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, be sure to add the arrowroot starch, tapioca flour, or cornstarch as indicated.
- You can substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or any other dairy-free milk to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Kale can be swapped with other leafy greens such as spinach if preferred.
- Use mild Italian sausage for less spice, or spicy sausage for a little extra heat.
- Leftovers keep well for up to one week when refrigerated properly.
- Adding lemon juice at the end brightens the rich flavors of the soup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
