Description
There’s something about a big pot of soup simmering away that makes a home feel extra cozy. One of my family’s absolute go-to recipes is Delicious Zuppa Toscana. It’s packed with tender potatoes, spicy sausage, and hearty kale in a creamy broth that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1/2 lb. Italian sausage, hot or mild
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz.) can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 lb. red potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1/2 lb. kale, chopped, stems removed
- 2 cups half and half, room temperature
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- Freshly cracked black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Add the sausage to a large soup pot and cook over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces. Most sausages have enough fat, but if it sticks, drizzle in a little olive oil.
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Stir them into the pot and sauté until the onions soften. The onion’s moisture will loosen up any browned bits on the bottom.
- Stir in the beans, smoked paprika, chicken broth, and water. Cover the pot and let it come to a gentle simmer.
- Slice the potatoes into thin 1/8-inch pieces. Add them along with the chopped kale. Don’t worry if the kale fills the pot — it will wilt quickly. Stir occasionally to help it along.
- Let everything cook for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk some hot broth into the room-temperature half and half to temper it. Slowly stir this mixture back into the soup. Keep the heat gentle — don’t let it boil.
- Taste and add red pepper flakes or cracked black pepper if you like a little heat. Serve hot with crusty bread.
Notes
Make ahead: This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors get even better overnight.
Freezer tip: Freeze without the half and half, then stir in cream after reheating.
Customize: Swap kale for spinach, or use turkey sausage for a lighter version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: unknown
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: unknown
- Unsaturated Fat: unknown
- Trans Fat: unknown
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: unknown