Homemade Zuppa Toscana Soup = One Happy Mama

So - if you have never been to Olive Garden and tried their "Zuppa Toscana" soup you have missed a bit of heaven (in my opinion!) I just recently went with some girlfriends, and had to ask our waiter for a bowl "to-go" because I love it so much.

I got home, and definitely hid the container in the back of the fridge - so that hubs wouldn't think he could take it to work with him the next day for lunch...

I'm a bit obsessed.

Then I start thinking...."why haven't I googled this recipe before? I'm sure someone has cracked the code on the yumminess of this soup..."

So I tip-tappittied away to find my beloved Zuppa Toscana soup.

To hubs delight (but not my children - their tastebuds haven't developed yet...) I made the sacred soup tonight, with a little caesar salad, and sourdough bread...

There was a twinge of guilt as I slurped my bowl down to nothingness... "I must share this recipe with the world, so that others, too, may enjoy a much cheaper bowl of yummy goodness also known as Zuppa Toscana."

So, because I haven't written in awhile, I decided to do a food post as a peace-offering to you all. Please make this soup! It's SOOOOOoooooo yummy.

Here it goes:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Makes: 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 lb ground Italian sausage
1½ tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced white onion
4 Tbsp bacon pieces
2 tsp garlic puree
10 cups water
5 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 3 large potatoes
¼ of a bunch of kale
Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.

In the same pan, sauté bacon, onions and garlic for approxiamtly 15 mins. or until the onions are soft.
Mix together the chicken bouillon and water, then add it to the onions, bacon and garlic. Cook until boiling.

Add potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
Add heavy cream and cook until thoroughly heated.
Stir in the sausage.
Add kale just before serving. Delicious!

Buon appetito!