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–+ servings
Soup in a white bowl on a white plate with brown napkin

Zuppa Toscana Classic Tuscan Soup

My take on the classic Italian sausage, kale, and potato soup. An easy recipe and a family favorite.
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Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Course Main Course, Soup
Servings 6
Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 slices bacon sliced into bite sized pieces
  • 1 lb sweet Italian Sausage
  • 1 cup onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3 Tbs flour
  • 8 cups chicken broth low sodium if preferred
  • 1 bunch kale stemmed & chopped (about 3 cups packed)
  • 3 large potatoes cut into 1 inch cubes, or quartered then ½ inch slices (about 3 cups)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large soup pot brown the bacon pieces over medium - to medium high heat until crispy, spoon out bacon with slotted spoon, leaving behind the bacon drippings. Set aside.
  • Add the sausage and brown until cooked, spoon out with a slotted spoon and add to the reserved bacon pieces, leaving behind 3 Tbs of bacon & sausage drippings. Refrigerate until needed.
  • Add onion and red pepper flakes to the pot with the drippings, saute until onion starts to soften but not brown.
  • Add the 2 Tbs of flour and stir, scraping the bottom of the pot and coating the sauteed onion. Continue to stir 30 seconds until the flour starts to turn a very light blond color.
  • Add the chicken broth and stir, scraping the bottom and sides of the pot.
  • Add the potatoes, then the kale, stir and turn the heat to low to medium-low, partly covered with a lid. Simmer 20 minutes. Will take less time if potatoes are sliced rather than cubed.
  • Check potatoes for doneness. Should be fork tender.
  • Add back in the sausage and bacon, then the heavy cream. Stir to combine and the cream is heated through but do not boil.
  • Season with salt and pepper to your taste.

Notes

I often lighten this up by using turkey bacon and either regular whole milk or ½ and ½. It still has great body and creamy consistency. 

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 22gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 2281mgPotassium: 1429mgFiber: 5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2846IUVitamin C: 73mgCalcium: 152mgIron: 8mg
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