Hearty and flavorful, this copycat Zuppa Toscana based on Olive Garden's delicious recipe is a rich and filling soup made a little lower in fat and calories. It is the perfect blend of potatoes, spinach, sausage, and a creamy broth. Serve it with a fresh baguette for dipping and you don't need any other sides for a complete meal.
10ouncespkg. frozen chopped spinach, or fresh equivalent - about 2-½ cups chopped
4tablespoonParmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
Dice 1 large onion.
Remove 1 pound Italian turkey sausage from casings and cut into bite size pieces.
Sauté Italian sausage and onion in a large pot until sausage is cooked through and onion is tender.
Add 6 turkey bacon slices and 2 teaspoons minced garlic and sauté until garlic is slightly tender, about 2 minutes.
Add 8 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil.
Peel and dice 3 large potatoes.
Add potatoes and 10 ounces pkg. frozen chopped spinach, turn heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Add 1 cup half and half and cook until just heated.
Serve garnished with 4 tablespoon Parmesan cheese for garnish.
Notes
To make a vegetarian version, use Beyond Sausage Hot Italian, omit the turkey bacon, and use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth. If you like the smoked flavor of cured meat without the meat itself, add a drop of liquid smoke to the soup (a little of this goes a long way).