Quick n Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup

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Zuppa Toscana, a classic Italian-inspired soup, is a dish that brings warmth and comfort to any meal. With its creamy broth, hearty potatoes, savory sausage, and nutritious greens, this soup is a favorite for both its rich flavor and simplicity. In this guide, we’ll take you through a step-by-step process to create a delicious Zuppa Toscana in your kitchen, along with tips to make it even better and variations for different cooking methods like slow cookers.

Whether you’re a busy home cook or a culinary enthusiast, this Quick n Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.

Why This Zuppa Toscana Stands Out

  1. Quick and Easy Preparation: This recipe is designed to minimize prep time without sacrificing flavor.
  2. Rich and Creamy Broth: The perfect balance of savory sausage, tender potatoes, and creamy broth.
  3. Versatile Cooking Options: You can make it on the stovetop or use a slow cooker for hands-off convenience.
  4. Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level and ingredients to suit your taste.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious soup:

  • 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, depending on your preference)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder
  • 1-2 tsp hot sauce (Frank’s Red Hot recommended)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 medium potatoes, cleaned and sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 3 cups kale or spinach, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes

  • Minced bacon
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Red pepper flakes

Instructions: How to Make Quick n Easy Zuppa Toscana

Stovetop Method

  1. Cook the Sausage
    • In a large soup pot over medium heat, cook and crumble the sausage until browned (about 10 minutes). Reserve 1 tablespoon of drippings, then set the sausage aside. If there are no drippings, use an extra tablespoon of butter.
  2. Sauté Onions and Garlic
    • Add the onions to the pot with the butter and drippings. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
    • Stir in the garlic, mustard powder, hot sauce, soy sauce, and spices. Cook for an additional minute.
  3. Make the Roux
    • Add the flour to the pot, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
  4. Add Broth and Cream
    • Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously. Then add the heavy cream, mixing well. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  5. Prepare the Potatoes
    • Halve the potatoes lengthwise and slice into 1/4-inch pieces. Add the potatoes and the cooked sausage back to the pot.
  6. Simmer the Soup
    • Let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
  7. Add Greens and Finish
    • Stir in the kale or spinach and cook for another 5 minutes until the greens are wilted.
  8. Serve
    • Ladle the soup into bowls and top with bacon, Parmesan, or red pepper flakes, if desired.

Slow Cooker Method

For a hands-off cooking option, follow these steps:

  1. Prepare the Sausage and Onion
    • Cook the sausage and onions on the stovetop as per steps 1 and 2 of the stovetop method.
  2. Assemble in the Slow Cooker
    • Transfer the cooked sausage and onions to the slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, garlic, mustard powder, soy sauce, and hot sauce.
  3. Add Potatoes Later
    • Cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours, adding the potatoes in the final 45 minutes to prevent overcooking.
  4. Finish with Cream and Greens
    • Stir in the heavy cream and kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  5. Serve and Garnish
    • Ladle into bowls and garnish as desired.

Tips for Perfect Zuppa Toscana

  1. Flavor Enhancers
    • The hot sauce, soy sauce, and mustard powder don’t overpower the soup but instead enhance the flavor profile. Adjust these to your taste for the perfect balance.
  2. Choosing Sausage
    • For traditional Zuppa Toscana, use hot Italian sausage. For a milder version, substitute with mild Italian sausage or Jimmy Dean Original Pork Sausage.
  3. Perfect Potatoes
    • Use firm potatoes like Yukon Gold to avoid mushiness. Ensure they are sliced evenly for consistent cooking.
  4. Thick and Creamy
    • If you prefer a thicker soup, add an extra tablespoon of flour when making the roux.
  5. Storage and Freezing
    • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid overcooking the potatoes if you plan to freeze the soup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Quick n Easy Zuppa Toscana recipe is the perfect blend of simplicity and flavor. It’s hearty enough to be a main meal, yet light enough to enjoy as a starter. The creamy broth, tender potatoes, and savory sausage make every spoonful a delight.

Whether you’re making it for a cozy dinner at home or serving it at a gathering, this recipe is sure to impress. Plus, the slow cooker method makes it even more convenient for busy days.

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