How to make: Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

Italian sausage

🥗Healthier: turkey sausage

💰Cheaper: pork sausage

Turkey sausage offers lower fat content while still providing flavor.

kale

🥗Healthier: spinach

💰Cheaper: cabbage

Spinach is more tender and widely available.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor without dairy.

First chop up your kale. If you've never worked with greens before, it's important to remove the stems and wash any grit off.

Cut the kale in a 'V' pattern to separate the leaves from the stem. Chop up leaves into bite size pieces. You want about 2 cups worth.

Put chopped kale into a colander and rinse well to remove any dirt or grit that might still be hanging on. I like to massage the kale at this point. This will help to really to soften it up. Let it drain well.

Meanwhile, in a large pot, brown and crumble sausage along with onions.

During the last couple minutes of cooking, toss in minced garlic.

Once sausage is fully cooked, drain excess grease.

Return sausage mixture back to pot and pour in chicken stock.

Then add in cubed potatoes.

Cover pot and allow potatoes to simmer for about 15-20 minutes, until tender.

Once potatoes are tender, pour in heavy cream and stir. Season with salt and pepper.

Then add in kale and chopped, cooked bacon.

Stir again. Bring mixture back up to a simmer and allow the kale to soften and wilt.

Give it a taste test (be careful - it's hot!) and see if you need more seasoning like salt or pepper. Then serve.

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens