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    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker » Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe (Slow Cooker + Stove Top)

    LAST UPDATED: November 4, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: January 19, 2021 By Toni Dash 20 Comments

    Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe (Slow Cooker + Stove Top)

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Zuppa Toscana title image

    Bring a taste of Tuscany to your crock pot! Zuppa Toscana is made with flavorful Italian Sausage, bacon, kale and a touch of cream. This favorite soup cooks in the slow cooker for a hearty, satisfying meal that’s easy and absolutely delicious. 

    Zuppa Toscana title image

    There is nothing better than a flavor-packed, filling soup recipe brimming with loads of great texture.

    This is one of those family loved great recipes that’s easy to make any time. 

    It’s perfect as a main dish or a starter recipe. It’s naturally gluten-free and irresistibly good!

    Add some Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, Homemade Garlic Bread or Breadsticks or Creamy Tuscan Chicken  for a complete Italian feast.

    Jump to:
    • What is Zuppa Toscana?
    • Recipe Ingredients + Notes
    • Variations + Time Saving Tips
    • How to Make it – Step-by-Step
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to make it on the Stove Top
    • Storing Leftovers
    • More Recipes You’ll Love!
    • Recipe

    What is Zuppa Toscana?

    Zuppa Toscana translates directly as “Tuscan Soup.” In Italy, this often refers to a brothy white bean soup with bacon, vegetables and toasted bread.

    Thanks to Olive Garden, most of us are more familiar with the American spin on Zuppa Toscana.

    It’s a cream based soup that’s filled with bacon, lots of Italian sausage, kale and potatoes too.

    This copycat Zuppa Toscana recipe tastes just as good as the Olive Garden version. 

    Plus, you can toss it together in your slow cooker and let it simmer all day long!

    It will fill your kitchen with the tantalizing aroma of garlic and Italian herbs!

    Zuppa Toscana soup close up

    Recipe Ingredients + Notes

    Here’s what you need to make the best ever crock pot Zuppa Toscana recipe: 

    Italian Sausage. Use mild ground (also called ‘bulk’) Italian sausage. Do not use sausage in casings.

    Yellow Onion. Chopped onion adds wonderful flavor to the soup.

    Bacon. The bacon should be cooked on the stove top before starting the soup recipe. When cooking the bacon is should be fully cooked but not crisp.

    Drain on paper towels and cut it into pieces before adding to the crock pot.

    Potatoes. We recommend using Yukon Gold potatoes. They are a dense potato that holds their shape through cooking.

    Yukon Gold potatoes are thin skinned so peeling is optional. They can be scrubbed and cut into bite-size pieces (this recipe does not used sliced potatoes).

    Broth. Use low sodium chicken or vegetable broth. 

    Seasonings: Garlic powder, oregano, ground black pepper and salt.

    Kale. Torn kale leaves will be used. Be sure to remove the center stems before using.

    Heavy cream. Just a bit is added at the end to give the soup a creamy texture.

    Parmesan cheese. This is optional to add to the top of the soup when serving. Shaved parmesan cheese gives a delicious boost of flavor.

    Zuppa Toscana soup bowl

    Variations + Time Saving Tips

    Kale. Purchase prepared, washed torn kale bagged in the produce section of the grocery store.

    The stems are usually still intact so cut that out. This saves alot of prep time!

    Onion. Buy already chopped onion OR use a mini chopper to quickly chop the onion. I personally use a mini chopper for all prep chopping and it saves so much time!

    Bacon. Use ‘real bacon bits‘. This is cooked bacon that is chopped and sold in resealable bags in the chilled section of the grocery store.

    Unlike hard little bacon bits it IS real bacon. Because it’s going into the slow cooker it does not need to be warmed before using. 

    Lower carb (and calorie) substitution for potatoes? Use cauliflower instead! Cut up the florets into bite -size pieces.

    You can even buy cut cauliflower florets to save time.

    Lower fat substitute for the Italian sausage? Use chicken Italian sausage or turkey Italian sausage instead.

    The ground version can be hard to find. If so buy the fresh version in link form, cut open the casings and use the ground sausage from inside!

    How to Make it – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1. Brown the sausage

    Cook the sausage on the stove top in a skillet over medium high heat.

    Drain the excess fat and place the cooked sausage at the bottom of the slow cooker (photo 1).

    STEP 2. Slow Cook

    Add the potatoes, onion, broth, seasonings and bacon to the slow cooker (photos 2 and 3).

    Cook on LOW for 5 – 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 -4 hours (photo 4). Stir occasionally during cooking.

    Zuppa Toscana recipe steps 1-4

    STEP 3. Add kale and cream

    Five minutes before the end of cooking time, stir in the chopped kale (photo 5).

    When the kale is wilted (photo 6), turn off the crock pot (or turn to “keep warm”). Stir in the heavy cream (photo 7). 

    STEP 4. Serve

    Ladle Zuppa Toscana into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan, if desired.

    Serve with a side of crusty bread or breadsticks and enjoy!

    Zuppa Toscana recipe steps 5-8

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What kind of sausage to use for Zuppa Toscana?

    For this Zuppa Toscana crock pot soup recipe, use mild Italian sausage. If you like a spicier soup, swap it out for medium or hot Italian sausage! Make sure to choose a ground sausage without casing. 

    Can you use milk or half and half instead of heavy cream?

    I don’t recommend substituting a lower fat dairy for the heavy cream. The soup won’t be as rich and will lose some of the flavor that makes Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana so delicious. However if for dietary reasons substituting Half and Half or whole milk is necessary, do it! Use the cornstarch thickening trick below for more substance in the broth.

    What can I substitute for the potatoes?

    Substitute cauliflower florets for a lower carb option. Cut the florets in even bite-size pieces so they cook evenly.

    How can I thicken the soup?

    This recipe does not make a thick broth. If you would prefer it thickened:
    1. Stir 2 tablespoons of cornstarch into the heavy cream.
    2. Whisk to fully blend in.
    3. Pour into the slow cooker and stir to mix in.
    4. Allow it to warm for a few minutes before serving.

    How to make it on the Stove Top

    Yes. You can make the Zuppa Toscana soup recipe on the stove instead of using a slow cooker! 

    • Brown the sausage in a large stock pot.
    • Drain the fat, then add all the ingredients except the kale and cream to the pot.
    • Bring to a boil and simmer until the potatoes are tender (about 30 minutes).
    • Stir in the kale and cook another few minutes before removing from heat and adding the heavy cream. 
    ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP ON LADLE

    Storing Leftovers

    There are two ways Zuppa Toscana soup for later:

    Refrigerator

    When the soup is cooled transfer to an airtight container and place in the fridge. Enjoy within 3 days.

    It reheats beautifully in the microwave or warmed in a pot on the stove.

    Freezer

    • Transfer fully cooled soup to heavy freezer bags or containers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
    • When ready to heat, let the soup thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
    • Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top and enjoy.

    Freezing cream-based soups can be tricky. They often will separate when thawed. 

    However because this Zuppa Toscana has mostly stock it should be fine.

    Be sure to stir it well when reheating to blend the cream back if there is any separation.

    Zuppa Toscana soup bowl with spoon

    More Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Crock Pot Garlic Chicken
    • Peppery Sausage White Bean Kale Soup
    • Slow Cooker Chorizo Kale Soup
    • Vegetable Beef Soup

    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Recipe

    Zuppa Toscana Soup (Slow Cooker)

    Everyone loves this Italian Sausage soup with bacon and herbs. It's hearty, filling and absolutely delicious.
    5 from 19 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours 13 minutes
    Total Time: 6 hours 28 minutes
    Servings: 8 1-cup servings (total yield: 8 cups)
    Calories: 217kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    6 quart slow cooker

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground mild Italian sausage not in casing
    • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
    • 5 slices cooked bacon chopped
    • 3 cups Yukon Gold potatoes scrubbed and cut into bite-sized pieces
    • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth low sodium
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 cups fresh kale de-stemmed, washed and roughly chopped
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • Shredded parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

    Instructions

    • In a medium skillet over medium high heat, brown the ground Italian sausage breaking it apart into small pieces until it is cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
    • Place the cooked sausage in the bottom of the slow cooker.
    • Add in the diced onion, bacon, potatoes, broth and seasonings to the slow cooker with the sausage and stir.
    • Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
    • Stir in the chopped kale for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
    • Turn off the slow cooker and stir in the cream. Serve immediately with fresh parmesan cheese and a side of your favorite crusty bread.

    Video

    Notes

    Cooked in a 6 quart Crockpot.
    For added heat to the soup, replace the mild italian sausage with hot italian sausage.
    To make it on the Stove Top
    • Brown the sausage in a large stock pot, drain the fat, then add all the ingredients except the kale and cream to the pot.
    • Bring to a boil and simmer until the potatoes are tender (about 30 minutes).
    • Stir in the kale and cook another few minutes before removing from heat and adding the heavy cream. 
    Storing the soup
    Refrigerator: When the soup is cooled transfer to an airtight container and place in the fridge. Enjoy within 3 days.
    Freezer: Transfer fully cooled soup to heavy freezer bags or containers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
    When ready to heat, let the soup thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
    Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top and enjoy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 686mg | Potassium: 622mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2111IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Everyone loves this Italian sausage soup with bacon, kales and herbs. Say good bye to boring soup recipes and make way for a creamy, hearty bowl of Zuppa Toscana!

    « Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe
    White Bean Soup (Instant Pot recipe) »

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maria San Juan says

      January 14, 2022 at 8:37 am

      5 stars
      This looks good! Will surely try!

      Reply
    2. Priya Srinivasan says

      January 13, 2022 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars
      Oh delish that’s one hearty soup! Amazing flavors! Love your variations list, great tip on freezing it for later use!

      Reply
    3. Dana Sandonato says

      January 13, 2022 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      This soup is a hug in a bowl! There are so many comfort food components to this. Absolutely perfect for this chilly weather.

      Reply
    4. Gail Montero says

      January 13, 2022 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      There’s nothing better than a delicious soup when winter comes around and this delicious bowl of zuppa toscana is definitely the antidote to winter blues!

      Reply
    5. Irena says

      January 13, 2022 at 1:19 pm

      5 stars
      Love a good Tuscan soup and wanted to try it in my slow cooker for a while. I used the IP slow cooker function to try it and made it over lunch for dinner that day. Delicious and kale was a great nutrition boost.

      Reply
    6. katerina says

      January 13, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness!! This is incredibly delicious!! I can’t wait to make it again.

      Reply
    7. Betsy Carney says

      January 13, 2022 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      My favorite soup! We love this recipe so much.

      Reply
    8. Kristyn says

      January 13, 2022 at 10:31 am

      5 stars
      This has always been one of my favorite soups!! It’s loaded with so much flavor & is nice & hearty!

      Reply
    9. Patti says

      January 22, 2021 at 7:15 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! I did some substitutions, I used sweet Italian sausage instead of mild and a can of coconut milk instead of heavy cream. I will certainly keep and make this again.

      Reply
    10. Lindsay Cotter says

      January 21, 2021 at 11:33 am

      The house smelled amazing while this was cooking! Tasted even better! Definitely will be on dinner repeat!

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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