Make your own Olive Garden version of their Zuppa at home! This cream based soup is such a comfort food for cold weather and is so easy to make.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Serves: About 8

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild for kids, spicier for some heat)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (or 2 Tablespoons jar garlic, if you’re me)
• 1 medium white (or yellow) onion, diced
• About 5-6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 3 cups fresh kale
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• Salt and pepper
• 6 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled

• Cook Italian sausage in a large pot over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, breaking the sausage into smaller pieces as it cooks.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a separate plate, leaving the grease, and set aside.
• Add onions to the pot with the grease and saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic for another minute.
• Add potatoes, chicken stock, and sausage and continue cooking until the mix reaches a simmer.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
• Stir in the cream and the kale, and simmer an additional 5-10 minutes until kale is softened.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Top with crumbled bacon. Serve warm.

• You can make this recipe in a slow cooker as well by adding the cooked sausage, potatoes, chicken stock, and some salt and pepper to a crock pot and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2-3. When getting ready to serve, add the cream and kale for 5-10 minutes and then serve warm with bacon bits on top.
• If you don’t want to use the grease from the sausage, you can absolutely remove the grease and use olive oil instead. I think it tastes a bit better leaving the grease from the sausage–more flavorful–but subbing olive oil would be a suitable healthy swap.
• This reheats just fine so if you have leftovers, add them to lunch sized containers and you’ll be set on lunch or dinner the next few days.
• We serve ours with breadsticks or a nice hunk of crusty bread for the full soup experience.

This recipe is so simple to make but tastes like it takes hours. It’s great for days when it’s really cold out or when you’re wanting some comfort food. Eating a bowl is like having a warm hug from an Italian grandmother. It’s one of mine and my husband’s favorite recipes to make and has been for years. I hope you enjoy it too!