Looking for a cozy and satisfying meal that’s both simple and delicious?

This creamy Italian Zuppa Toscana is your answer.

With hearty chunks of sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and fresh spinach all simmered in a rich, creamy broth, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s sure to warm you up on even the coldest days.

Perfect for beginners and guaranteed to please, this recipe transforms everyday ingredients into an irresistible bowl of goodness.

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Ingredients

• 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
• 1 ¼ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 4 slices bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 5 (13.75-ounce) cans chicken broth
• 6 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ bunch fresh spinach, tough stems removed

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Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Sausage

In a Dutch oven (or large pot), cook the Italian sausage with the crushed red pepper flakes over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until the sausage is crumbled, browned, and cooked through (about 10 to 15 minutes). Once done, drain the excess fat and set the sausage aside.

Step 2: Crisp the Bacon

• Using the same Dutch oven, cook the bacon pieces over medium heat until they become crispy (about 10 minutes).
• After cooking, drain the bacon, but leave a few tablespoons of bacon drippings in the pot for flavor.

Step 3: Sauté Onions and Garlic

• Add diced onions and minced garlic to the bacon drippings in the Dutch oven.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).

Step 4: Add Broth and Potatoes

• Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil over high heat.
• Once boiling, add the thinly sliced potatoes. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender (about 20 minutes).

Step 5: Stir in Cream, Sausage, and Spinach

• Lower the heat to medium. Mix in the heavy cream, cooked sausage, and spinach.
• Continue to cook and stir until the spinach is wilted and the sausage is heated through.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Once everything is well combined and heated, your soup is ready to serve.
• Ladle it into bowls and enjoy this rich and hearty meal!

FAQs

Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes! If you prefer a spicier soup, you can use hot Italian sausage. You can also swap for chicken or turkey sausage if you want a lighter option.

Can I substitute the heavy cream with something else?

You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version. However, the soup will be less creamy and rich.

Quick Creamy Italian Zuppa Toscana

This creamy Italian sausage and potato soup combines flavorful sausage, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and fresh spinach in a rich, comforting broth that's easy to make and perfect for any meal.

Print Pin Rate

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
• ▢ 1 ¼ tsp teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• ▢ 4 slices bacon cut into ½-inch pieces
• ▢ 1 large onion diced
• ▢ 1 tbsp garlic minced
• ▢ 5 cans chicken broth (13.75-ounce)
• ▢ 6 medium potatoes thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
• ▢ ¼ bunch fresh spinach tough stems removed

Instructions

Cook the Sausage

1. In a Dutch oven (or large pot), cook the Italian sausage with the crushed red pepper flakes over medium-high heat.

   Stir occasionally until the sausage is crumbled, browned, and cooked through (about 10 to 15 minutes).

   Once done, drain the excess fat and set the sausage aside.

Crisp the Bacon

1. Using the same Dutch oven, cook the bacon pieces over medium heat until they become crispy (about 10 minutes).

   After cooking, drain the bacon, but leave a few tablespoons of bacon drippings in the pot for flavor.

Sauté Onions and Garlic

1. Add diced onions and minced garlic to the bacon drippings in the Dutch oven.

   Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).

Add Broth and Potatoes

1. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil over high heat.

   Once boiling, add the thinly sliced potatoes.

   Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender (about 20 minutes).

Stir in Cream, Sausage, and Spinach

1. Lower the heat to medium.

   Mix in the heavy cream, cooked sausage, and spinach.

   Continue to cook and stir until the spinach is wilted and the sausage is heated through.

Serve and Enjoy

1. Once everything is well combined and heated, your soup is ready to serve.

   Ladle it into bowls and enjoy this rich and hearty meal!

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