Delicious & Healthy Zuppa Toscana: An Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

Craving the rich, creamy goodness of Olive Garden’s famous Zuppa Toscana but looking for a lighter, healthier option? Look no further! This copycat Zuppa Toscana recipe delivers all the hearty flavor you love, meticulously crafted to be lower in fat and calories without sacrificing an ounce of its comforting taste. It’s a perfect blend of tender potatoes, fresh spinach, savory Italian sausage, and a beautifully creamy broth that warms you from the inside out. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you simply desire a wholesome, satisfying meal, this soup is an excellent choice. Serve it alongside a crusty baguette for dipping, and you’ll have a complete, restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen.

⏲️ Prep and Cook Time: Making Zuppa Toscana Efficiently

One of the many appealing aspects of this Zuppa Toscana recipe is its relative quickness and ease, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or when you need a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This is largely a “prep then simmer” recipe, meaning the hands-on work is concentrated at the beginning, followed by a gentle simmer that allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

You’ll find that approximately 15 minutes is all you need for the initial preparation steps. This includes dicing your onion, preparing the sausage, mincing garlic, and peeling and dicing the potatoes. These are straightforward tasks that can be done quickly, especially if you have a sharp knife and a bit of kitchen rhythm. Once these ingredients are prepped and introduced to the pot, the soup simply needs about 45 minutes to simmer to delicious perfection. This simmering time is crucial for softening the potatoes and allowing the various flavors from the sausage, garlic, and broth to develop and deepen, creating that signature Zuppa Toscana taste.

The total time from start to finish is roughly an hour, which is remarkable for a soup that tastes like it’s been simmering all day. The 30-minute simmering period before adding the half-and-half is particularly convenient, as it frees you up to prepare any accompanying side dishes, such as a fresh green salad or toasting that perfect baguette. This efficient timing ensures that a wholesome, flavorful meal is always within reach.

🥘 Key Ingredients for a Lighter Zuppa Toscana

Our goal with this Zuppa Toscana recipe is to capture the essence of the Olive Garden classic while making it a bit kinder to your waistline. The primary strategy for reducing fat and calories lies in smart ingredient substitutions without compromising on the robust flavor profile. This version swaps traditional pork sausage and bacon for turkey alternatives, saving approximately 130 calories per serving. Here’s a closer look at the star ingredients and why they work so well:

• Italian Turkey Sausage: This is the heart of the soup’s savory flavor. Using turkey sausage, especially an Italian-seasoned variety, provides all the herbaceous and slightly spicy notes of traditional pork sausage but with significantly less fat. Removing it from its casings and breaking it into bite-sized pieces ensures that every spoonful gets a piece of this delicious protein. Look for both mild and hot Italian turkey sausage to adjust the spice level to your preference.
• Diced Onion: A foundational aromatic, diced onion is sautéed until tender, providing a sweet and savory base upon which the other flavors are built. Its gentle sweetness balances the richness of the sausage and broth.
• Cooked and Chopped Turkey Bacon: Just like turkey sausage, turkey bacon offers that essential smoky, salty crunch reminiscent of traditional bacon but with fewer calories and less saturated fat. Cooking it separately until crispy and then chopping it allows for texture variation and ensures its flavor is evenly distributed throughout the soup.
• Minced Garlic: The pungent, aromatic flavor of minced garlic is indispensable in Italian-inspired dishes. It adds a depth and warmth that brightens the entire soup. Freshly minced garlic is always recommended for the best flavor.
• Chicken Broth: This liquid forms the rich base of the soup. Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to better control the overall saltiness of the dish, allowing you to season it to your exact taste. Chicken broth brings a foundational umami that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
• Half and Half: To achieve that signature creamy texture without the heaviness of full-fat heavy cream, half-and-half is the perfect choice. It provides a luscious mouthfeel and helps to emulsify the soup, binding all the flavors together in a smooth, comforting embrace.
• Peeled and Diced Potatoes: Potatoes are essential for the hearty texture and substance of Zuppa Toscana. Peeling and dicing them into roughly equal sizes ensures they cook evenly and become fork-tender. Russet potatoes or Yukon Golds are excellent choices, offering a creamy texture when cooked.
• Chopped Spinach: Not only does spinach add a beautiful vibrant green color, but it also packs a nutritional punch, offering vitamins and minerals. Whether you use a package of frozen chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) or a generous amount of fresh chopped spinach, it wilts down into the soup, adding freshness and body.
• Parmesan Cheese for Garnish: A final flourish of freshly grated Parmesan cheese provides a salty, umami-rich topping that enhances the soup’s overall flavor. It melts slightly into the hot broth, adding another layer of creamy indulgence.

🍲 Crafting a Vegetarian Zuppa Toscana: Plant-Based Perfection

For those who prefer a meat-free meal, transforming this Zuppa Toscana into a delicious vegetarian soup is wonderfully simple and yields equally satisfying results. The core flavors of potato, spinach, and a creamy broth remain, offering a comforting experience for all.

To begin your vegetarian rendition, you’ll need to make a couple of key substitutions:

• Plant-Based Sausage: Instead of Italian turkey sausage, opt for a flavorful plant-based Italian sausage. Products like Beyond Sausage Hot Italian are excellent choices, as they mimic the texture and spice profile of traditional Italian sausage very well. Simply remove the casings (if applicable) and crumble the plant-based sausage as you would its meat counterpart. This ensures you maintain the savory and aromatic foundation of the soup.
• Omit Turkey Bacon: Since the turkey bacon is a meat product, it should be entirely omitted for a vegetarian version.
• Vegetable Broth: Replace chicken broth with a high-quality vegetable broth. Again, a low-sodium option is recommended for better control over seasoning. Vegetable broth provides a clean, earthy base that allows the other plant-based flavors to shine.

An optional, yet highly recommended, addition for a truly authentic flavor is a drop of liquid smoke. Many people enjoy the smoky undertones that bacon traditionally brings to Zuppa Toscana. A tiny amount of liquid smoke, added towards the end of the cooking process, can impart a wonderful cured meat flavor without any actual meat. Remember, a little goes a very long way – start with just one drop and taste before adding more, as it can be quite potent.

By making these simple adjustments, you can enjoy a hearty, flavorful, and completely vegetarian Zuppa Toscana that is just as delicious and comforting as the original.

📋 Detailed Instructions for Your Perfect Zuppa Toscana

Creating this delicious, healthier Zuppa Toscana is a straightforward process. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a flavorful and perfectly textured soup:

1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Before you start cooking, it’s always helpful to have all your ingredients prepped. Dice your large onion, remove the Italian turkey sausage from its casings and break it into bite-sized pieces, mince your garlic, and peel and dice your potatoes. Cook and chop your turkey bacon if it’s not already. This “mise en place” makes the cooking process much smoother.
2. Sauté the Sausage and Onion: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the Italian turkey sausage and diced onion. Break up the sausage with a spoon as it cooks. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is thoroughly cooked through and browned, and the onion pieces have become translucent and tender. This browning step is crucial for developing deep, savory flavors.
3. Add Bacon and Garlic: Once the sausage and onion are cooked, stir in the cooked and chopped turkey bacon and the minced garlic. Sauté for about 2 minutes more. Be careful not to burn the garlic; you want it to become fragrant and slightly tender, but not browned, as burnt garlic can taste bitter.
4. Introduce the Broth and Boil: Pour in the 8 cups of chicken broth. Use a spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot (this is called deglazing, and it adds immense flavor to your soup). Bring the broth to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
5. Add Potatoes and Spinach, Then Simmer: Once the broth is boiling, add the peeled and diced potatoes and the chopped spinach (if using frozen, ensure it’s thawed and squeezed of excess water; if fresh, it will wilt down quickly). Stir everything together, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and allow the soup to simmer gently for 30 minutes. This simmering time is essential for softening the potatoes and allowing the flavors to meld. It’s also a perfect window to prepare any side dishes, such as a fresh salad or slicing and toasting your baguette.
6. Finish with Creaminess: After 30 minutes, the potatoes should be tender. Remove the lid and stir in the 1 cup of half and half. Continue to cook over low heat for just a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup is thoroughly heated through. Be careful not to bring it back to a vigorous boil after adding the half and half, as this can sometimes cause dairy to curdle.
7. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot Zuppa Toscana into bowls. Garnish each serving generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. A little extra sprinkle of black pepper or red pepper flakes (for a touch of heat) can also be added if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite crusty bread.

Following these steps will ensure you create a truly satisfying and delicious bowl of Zuppa Toscana every time.

Recipe

Zuppa Toscana

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Hearty and flavorful, this copycat Zuppa Toscana based on Olive Garden’s delicious recipe is a rich and filling soup made a little lower in fat and calories. It is the perfect blend of potatoes, spinach, sausage, and a creamy broth. Serve it with a fresh baguette for dipping and you don’t need any other sides for a complete meal.

AuthorAuthor: Mary Ann

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Dish, Soup

Cuisine Gluten-free, Italian

Servings 8 servings

Calories 254

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound Italian turkey sausage
• 1 large onion
• 6 turkey bacon slices, cooked and chopped
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup half and half
• 3 large potatoes
• 10 ounces pkg. frozen chopped spinach, or fresh equivalent – about 2-½ cups chopped
• 4 tablespoon Parmesan cheese for garnish

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Instructions

• Dice 1 large onion.
• Remove 1 pound Italian turkey sausage from casings and cut into bite size pieces.
• Sauté Italian sausage and onion in a large pot until sausage is cooked through and onion is tender.
• Add 6 turkey bacon slices and 2 teaspoons minced garlic and sauté until garlic is slightly tender, about 2 minutes.
• Add 8 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Peel and dice 3 large potatoes.
• Add potatoes and 10 ounces pkg. frozen chopped spinach, turn heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Add 1 cup half and half and cook until just heated.
• Serve garnished with 4 tablespoon Parmesan cheese for garnish.

Notes

To make a vegetarian version, use Beyond Sausage Hot Italian, omit the turkey bacon, and use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth. If you like the smoked flavor of cured meat without the meat itself, add a drop of liquid smoke to the soup (a little of this goes a long way).

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 254 calCarbohydrates: 18 gProtein: 18 gFat: 13 gSodium: 1714 mgFiber: 4 gSugar: 3 gNet Carbohydrates: 14 g

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🥗 Perfect Side Dishes to Complement Your Soup

Zuppa Toscana, with its blend of protein, vegetables, and starches, is a remarkably complete meal on its own, especially when served in generous portions. However, part of the joy of a truly comforting soup is pairing it with the right accompaniments. When planning your meal, consider serving smaller portions of the soup to make room for delectable side dishes that enhance the dining experience.

The most classic and arguably essential accompaniment for any creamy, hearty soup like Zuppa Toscana is fresh, crusty bread. There’s an undeniable satisfaction in dipping a piece of warm, crusty bread into the rich, flavorful broth, soaking up every last drop. A fresh baguette, ciabatta, or even a rustic sourdough loaf would be perfect. You can lightly toast the bread or rub it with garlic and olive oil for an extra layer of flavor.

Beyond bread, a light and refreshing salad offers a wonderful contrast to the soup’s richness. A simple mixed green salad with a bright vinaigrette, perhaps with some cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a sprinkle of croutons, can cleanse the palate and add a refreshing element to the meal. The crispness of fresh greens and the tang of a lemon-herb dressing would beautifully complement the creamy, savory notes of the Zuppa Toscana.

For those looking for more Italian-inspired pairings, a plate of marinated olives or a simple bruschetta could also be delightful additions, providing small bursts of flavor and texture that elevate the meal without making it overly heavy.

🌟 Why Opt for This Healthier Version?

The original Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana is beloved for its decadent flavor, but it can be quite rich in calories and fat. Our copycat recipe offers a fantastic alternative for several compelling reasons:

• Reduced Fat and Calories: By substituting pork sausage and bacon with their turkey counterparts, we significantly cut down on saturated fat and total calories per serving. This makes the soup a more health-conscious choice without compromising on the robust, savory flavors you expect.
• Retained Flavor Profile: The beauty of this recipe lies in its ability to mimic the signature taste of Zuppa Toscana. The blend of Italian spices in turkey sausage, the smoky hint of turkey bacon, the freshness of spinach, the heartiness of potatoes, and the creamy broth remain perfectly balanced, providing a familiar and satisfying experience.
• Wholesome Ingredients: This recipe prioritizes wholesome ingredients like lean protein, fresh vegetables (spinach), and potatoes, making it a nutrient-dense meal. You get fiber, vitamins, and protein in every bowl.
• Control Over Ingredients: Making soup at home gives you complete control over what goes into it. You can choose low-sodium broths, organic produce, and adjust seasonings to your dietary needs and preferences, avoiding artificial additives often found in restaurant versions.
• Versatility and Customization: As demonstrated with the vegetarian option, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can tweak ingredients to suit various dietary requirements or simply to use what you have on hand, ensuring it fits perfectly into your lifestyle.

Choosing this healthier Zuppa Toscana means enjoying a guilt-free pleasure that doesn’t compromise on the comforting, hearty qualities that make this soup a perennial favorite.

🧊 Storage and Reheating Tips

Zuppa Toscana is an excellent soup for meal prepping and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to deepen. Proper storage and reheating will ensure you can enjoy your delicious homemade soup for days to come:

• Storing Leftovers: Once the soup has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to airtight containers. You can store individual portions for easy grab-and-go lunches or larger containers for family meals. Refrigerate promptly. The soup will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing Instructions: Zuppa Toscana freezes beautifully, making it perfect for long-term storage. Allow the soup to cool completely. Transfer it to freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace as liquids expand when frozen. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Note that sometimes potatoes can become a bit softer in texture after freezing and thawing, but the flavor will still be excellent.
• Reheating from Refrigerator: For refrigerated soup, reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, using short intervals and stirring between each to ensure even heating. If the soup has thickened too much, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
• Reheating from Freezer: If reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Once thawed, follow the stovetop or microwave instructions as above. If you’re in a hurry, you can reheat directly from frozen on the stovetop over very low heat, stirring frequently and breaking up the frozen block as it melts, adding liquid if necessary.

With these simple storage and reheating tips, you can enjoy the comforting flavors of your homemade Zuppa Toscana long after it’s initially prepared.

📌 Pin This Recipe for Later!

Don’t let this incredible recipe get lost in the depths of your browser history! This healthy and flavorful Zuppa Toscana is too good not to save. Whether you’re planning your next family dinner, looking for a comforting meal for a chilly evening, or simply want to try a lighter take on an Olive Garden favorite, be sure to pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board. It’s perfect for meal planning, easy weeknight dinners, or whenever you need a hearty soup that truly satisfies. You’ll be glad you did when you’re craving a rich, creamy bowl of goodness that also happens to be a healthier choice.

We hope you enjoy making and savoring this delightful homemade Zuppa Toscana. It’s more than just a soup; it’s a comforting experience that brings the taste of Italy, with a healthy twist, straight to your dining table.