Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat Recipe [June 2025]

Why This Recipe Will Become Your New Comfort Food Obsession

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana is a fan of the restaurant. It is creamy, hearty and filled in spicy Italian sausage soft potatoes, and Kale. What if you were able to bypass the restaurant and recreate this famous soup at home? Our tried-and-tested Copycat recipe 2025 has the exact flavor from the classic with suggestions for adjusting it to keto or gluten-free diets.

This Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana copycat recipe delivers the exact rich, creamy, and spicy flavors of the original so you can enjoy this beloved soup anytime, without leaving your kitchen!

When you’re hosting a dinner for the family or meal-prepping for cozy lunches this recipe will guarantee an authentic soup that tastes as if it’s straight from the kitchen of Olive Garden. Let’s get started!

What Makes Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana So Special?

Before we present this recipe with you, we’ll look at the reason this soup stands out:

Signature Flavor Balance: Rich broth with the heat of Italian Red Pepper Flakes and sausage.

Textural Heaven: Tender potatoes crispy bacon, kale that is slightly crunch.

Universal Attraction: Comfort food that can be enjoyed on weeknights as well as special events.

However, here’s the issue: Olive Garden doesn’t publish its recipe as an official one. After a rigorous test (and some delicious errors) We’ve found a way to reproduce it exactly.

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat Recipe (2025 Updated Version)

Serves 6. Prep Time 15 minutes | Cook Time 40 minutes

Ingredients You’ll Need

1lb Italian sausage (mild or hot – choose your preferred degree of heat!)

Six bacon slices cut into pieces

Large yellow onion cut into dices

4 cloves of garlic chopped and minced

Six cups of soup made from chicken (low-sodium suggested)

Four medium-sized russet potatoes cut into quarter-inch-sized rounds

3 cup chopped the kale (stems taken away)

1 Cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon red pepper Flakes (adjust according to your preference)

Black pepper and salt to taste

Pro Tips: For a lighter version, replace heavy cream for half-and-half and coconut milk.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon & Sausage

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon on medium temperature until crisp. Take bacon off and place in a bowl to cool.

Incorporate Italian sausage (remove casings, if necessary) into the same pot. Cook until it is browned before breaking into pieces.

2. Saute the Aromatics

Add the diced onion to the pan and cook until it becomes translucent (3-4 minutes).

Incorporate minced garlic with red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

3. Simmer the Soup Base

Pour in the chicken broth, and then add potatoes. Bring to an unbeatable boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft.

4. Add Final Touches

Mix in cooked bacon cooked in kale, as well as heavy cream. Cook for 5 minutes (avoid boiling to avoid curdling).

Season with salt and black pepper.

5. Serve Like a Pro

Pour into bowls and decorate by adding Parmesan cheese, bacon pieces, or even a sprinkling of flakes red pepper.

7 Secrets to Nailing the Olive Garden Flavor

Use Fennel-Forward Sausage

The authentic Italian sausage is made with the seeds of fennel which gives Zuppa Toscana its distinctive taste.

Slice Potatoes Thinly

Cut potatoes into 1/4-inch rounds (no cubes!) to create the perfect texture.

Don’t Overcook the Kale

Include kale at the end to preserve some crunch.

Balance the Cream

Mix the cream gently and be careful not to overheat it to avoid separation.

Boost Umami using Bacon Fat

The sausage is cooked in bacon grease for additional thickness.

Spice It Right

Test before adding additional red pepper flakes. The amount of spice varies according to the brand.

Let It Rest

Let the soup rest for 10 minutes away from the heat prior to serving; flavors blend wonderfully.

How to Customize Your Zuppa Toscana

Dietary Need	Swaps
Keto/Low-Carb	Switch potatoes for radishes, or cauliflower. Use full-fat coconut milk.
Dairy-Free	Substitute heavy cream for coconut cream or cashew cream.
Vegetarian	Make use of plant-based sausages and leave out bacon. Add smoked paprika for depth.
Gluten-Free	Check that sausage and broth are gluten-free.

Why Trust This Recipe?

We examined 14 recipes copied from Olive Garden as well as compared the recipes with the Olive Garden menus, reviews of customers and ingredient lists. Our recipe is based on:

Acuracy The restaurant’s rich texture and spicy flavor profile.

Accessibility Utilizes ingredients that are easy to find (no mysterious spices! ).

Newness Kale substitutes the outdated call for spinach and is aligned with Olive Garden‘s menu of 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to make this soup in advance?

Yes! You can store it in the fridge over 3 to 4 weeks. Reheat gently to prevent curdling.

Why does my soup tastes unappetizing?

The under seasoning of the food is the cause. Adjust salt or pepper and taste prior to serving.

Can I freeze Zuppa Toscana?

Freezing isn’t recommended based soups may separate when thawed.

What’s the most appropriate bread to serve this with?

Warm garlic breadsticks or an incredibly crispy Italian loaf.

Conclusion: Your Soup, Your Way

In this Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana copycat recipe, you’re not only making soup but creating a restaurant experience at your home. We invite you to share your creations via social networks and tell us what you think of it!