Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

Slow cooker Zuppa Toscana is a comforting soup that combines sausage, kale, and potatoes in a creamy broth. This crockpot version of the classic Olive Garden soup is simple yet tasty. Perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends. Make this soup as healthy as you want; substitutions to make this dairy-free and Whole30 compatible are included in the blog post. How to make zuppa Toscana in the Instant Pot are also included.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

• Ground Sausage
• Russet Potatoes
• Kale
• Onion 
• Garlic
• Chicken Broth
• Water
• Heavy Cream 
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
• Cooked Bacon (optional for garnish)

How To Make Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

Slow Cooker

1. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the ground sausage and cook until no longer pink. Crumble the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the sausage, broth, water, potatoes, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6.
4. Stir in kale and cream or coconut milk. Cover & cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until kale is soft.
5. Garnish with bacon before serving (if using).

Instant Pot

• Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Once hot add oil to the pot. Add the ground sausage and onion cook 3-5 minutes or until onions are soft and sausage is browned. Crumbling the sausage as it cooks. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute. Turn off and drain any excess grease if needed.
• Pour in broth and deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon.
• Stir in potatoes, garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Close lid and seal valve. Select high pressure and set time for 20 minutes. When cook time is completed, quick release the pressure.
• Turn the pressure cooker to sauté and stir in kale and heavy cream.
• Cook an additional 5-10 minutes on sauté or until kale has is softened.
• Garnish with bacon before serving (if using).

FAQs & Tips

What Is Zuppa Toscana?

Zuppa Toscana means Tuscan soup in Italian. A more traditional zuppa toscana uses veggies, beans, potatoes, and fresh herbs. This slow cooker Zuppa Toscana is not the traditional version; it’s inspired by the Americanized version. Most Americans know Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden.

What type of sausage should you use?

This slow cooker Zuppa Toscana recipe uses your preferred ground sausage. If you can’t find a ground sausage, you can simply uncase sausage links. For a list of compatible Whole30 sausages, see HERE. Keep in mind what type of sausage you use might alter the taste of the soup.

What type of potatoes should you use?

The recipe calls for russet potatoes but technically you can use your preferred potato. Other suggestions include baby potatoes or even sweet potatoes. 

Can you use frozen kale?

You can! 

Should you use coconut milk or heavy cream?

Traditionally Zuppa Toscana uses a cream like heavy cream or half & half. To make this dairy-free & Whole30 compatible, use full-fat coconut milk instead. 

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze leftover soup, let the soup cool completely. Once cooled, add the soup to an air tight container or freezer-friendly plastic bag. Store the soup in your freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat frozen soup, you have two options. You can either thaw the soup overnight  in the refrigerator OR add the soup directly to the slow cooker or Instant Pot & thaw on the warm setting!

What size slow cooker should you use?

I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Sausage Recipes 

• Sausage, Bell Peppers, Onions

• Tuscan White Bean

• Sausage Gnocchi Kale

• Spicy Chicken Sausage

• Sausage, Potatoes, Green Beans

• Cajun Chicken Sausage

• Sausage Bean Veggie Soup

Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

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Slow cooker Zuppa Toscana is a comforting soup that combines sausage, kale, and potatoes in a creamy broth. This crockpot version of the classic Olive Garden soup is simple yet tasty. Perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends. Make this soup as healthy as you want; substitutions to make this dairy-free and Whole30 compatible are included in the blog post. How to make zuppa toscana in the Instant Pot are also included.

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Total Time: 3 hours 10 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground sausage
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• 1 pound russet potatoes, diced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cups water (or more broth)
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt (or more)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 4 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Slow Cooker

1. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the ground sausage and cook until no longer pink. Crumble the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the sausage, broth, water, potatoes, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6.
4. Stir in kale and cream or coconut milk. Cover & cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until kale is soft.
5. Garnish with bacon before serving (if using).

Instant Pot

• Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Once hot add oil to the pot. Add the ground sausage and onion cook 3-5 minutes or until onions are soft and sausage is browned. Crumbling the sausage as it cooks. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute. Turn off and drain any excess grease if needed.
• Pour in broth and deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon.
• Stir in potatoes, garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Close lid and seal valve. Select high pressure and set time for 20 minutes. When cook time is completed, quick release the pressure.
• Turn the pressure cooker to sauté and stir in kale and heavy cream.
• Cook an additional 5-10 minutes on sauté or until kale has is softened.
• Garnish with bacon before serving (if using).

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive money if you make a purchase using one of the links. For more about my disclosure policy see here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/.

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