THE. Best. Soup. Of. All. Time.

Brace yourselves.

I'm about to tell you guys about a favorite of mine.

Quite possibly, my favorite meal to eat right now.

No matter if it's 100 degrees outside, I'm still craving this masterpiece.

It's a little something called Zuppa Toscana. You've heard of it, I'm sure. Probably scarfed down a bowl or two at Olive Garden with some breadsticks. But have you tried Reeni's version? Because it completely blows Olive Garden's outta the water! I'm all for recipes that turn out better homemade than from the restaurant.

This soup is everything. 

Spicy. 

Creamy. 

Hearty. 

Filling. 

Satisfying. 

Meaty. 

Comforting.

The perfect fall and winter food. But like I said earlier, I can eat this soup when it's burning hot out!


 

Zuppa Toscana

from Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice

• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 lb ground hot Italian sausage
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups (32 oz) chicken stock
• 3 cups russet potatoes, cubed
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups kale, in bite size pieces
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• parmesan cheese, grated
  

In a large pot, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain the grease. Add the sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once sausage is browned and crumbled, drain off grease leaving a tbsp to saute the onion.

Push the sausage and bacon to the edge of the pot and add the onion to the center; saute until translucent; add garlic; saute until fragrant.

Stir in the stock and potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Add kale and heavy whipping cream. Bring to a simmer. Top with parmesan cheese, when serving. 
 
Printable Recipe


 

I am contributing this to Souper Sundays over at Kahakai Kitchen.

*Notes: I have tried this soup using mild sausage, and it's just not the same. You've gotta use the hot stuff. The first time I made it, I also used hot sausage links, and had to remove the casings. If you can get ground hot sausage instead of the links, that's really better.


I can't say enough good things about this soup. Just make it, and you'll see for yourself what I'm talkin about :)

Perfection.

Come join SoupaPalooza at TidyMom and Dine and Dish sponsored by KitchenAid, Red Star Yeast, and Le Creuset!!!

Peace, and bacon grease!

 



Also linking to:  Savory Sunday, Just Something I Whipped Up, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Hunk of Meat Monday, Homemaker Monday, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, MAFF Monday, Mangia Monday, Sharing Monday, Made By You Monday, Recipe Sharing Monday, On the Menu Monday, Makin' You Crave Monday, Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits