Zuppa Toscana Italian Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Italian sausages (spicy)

• 4-6 russet potatoes, chopped

• 1 onion, chopped

• 4-5 strips of bacon pieces (optional, for garnish)

• 2 Tbsp minced garlic (about 3-4 cloves)

• 2 Tbsp olive oil (or the oil from bacon)

• 32 oz. chicken broth

• 1 c. kale or Swiss chard or spinach, chopped

• 1 can condensed mushroom soup (26 ounces) or 2 smaller cans (10.5 ounces)

• 1 cup water

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

• Red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)

You will need a mortar and pestle set. If you don’t have one, you can use a food processor.

Preparation

1. In a large skillet, cook 4-5 strips of bacon over medium heat until crispy (about 8-12 minutes). Then drain well on a paper-towel-lined platter or cooking rack.

2. In the same skillet, cook the sausages over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, turning them often so they cook evenly. You can tell the sausages are ready when the outside is a deep golden brown color and the inside is pale and any juices that come out of the sausages should be clear.

3. Next, cut the bacon and sausages into bite size pieces and set them aside.

4. In the same skillet, add your onions and garlic over medium heat and stir until tender (about 2-3 minutes). Then add the sausage pieces back into the skillet. Next, add the chopped potatoes. Then, slowly add the chicken broth. Add 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning and one cup of water and make sure everything is thoroughly covered. Cover the skillet with a lid and turn up the heat to medium high until the soup starts to boil. (Note: Make sure you have a large enough skillet so all the ingredients can be mixed thoroughly and it doesn’t boil over.)

5. When the soup boils, turn the heat down to medium-low and add the kale.

6. Next, add the can of mushroom soup. Or alternatively, you can add 1 cup of heaving cream instead of mushroom soup. This is what’s going to thicken the soup. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes.The soup should thicken up a bit during this time.

7. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir again and make sure everything is mixed thoroughly.

Serve and Enjoy!

Stir thoroughly and serve with the chopped bacon, Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs like cilantro or basil for a bit of freshness. For a little extra kick, you can also sprinkle in some red pepper flakes.