Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana Soup (italian sausage and potato soup)

This is my favorite soup at the Olive Garden.  This is the perfect soup on a cold winter's evening and now that the weather is starting to cool down, I couldn't wait to make it.  Everyone who has tried this soup loves it so let's give it a try.

Here is what we will need...

1 package of hot italian sausage (5-6 links)

2 tbs. crushed red pepper flakes

4 garlic cloves

1 cup of diced white onion

16 oz. heavy whipping cream

5 tbs. of chicken bouillon (or 5 cubes)

10 cups of water

6-8 red potatoes (depending on size)

1 bunch of kale (shown below)

Ready to get started?  Let's do this! 

I suggest that you dice your onion and garlic ahead.

Remove the casing from the italian sausage and break it into bite size pieces and add it to a deep pot.  

Add your 2 tbs of crushed red pepper flakes.  The measurement is a starting point.  I often do not measure I just add what looks right for me.

Saute your italian sausage turning often and cooking thoroughly. Sorry about this picture.  

Now that it's cooked we will remove the sausage from the pot and place it a a bowl and place in the fridge until later.

In the same pot we will add 1 cup of diced onion.  I usually use 1/2 of a medium onion but if you are into measuring 1 cup should be good.

Now add your 4 diced garlic cloves.

Saute for about 3 minutes until they are softened and brown.

Next we will add 10 cups of water and 5 tbs. of chicken bouillon.  Mix with a wisk to get all the flavors from the bottom of the pot mixed in.

While you wait for the mixture to boil you can slice your red potatoes.  If the potatoes are small I just slice them.  If they are larger I slice them and then cut them in half.  Once the water is boiling you can add the potatoes.  You will cook it for about 30 minutes or until your potatoes are some what softened.

At this point we will add 16 oz. of heavy whipping cream and cook until it is thoroughly heated.

Now get the sausage from the fridge and add it to the soup.  Make sure you get all of the yummy juices!

Wash and chop your kale into pieces and then add to the soup.  Stir the soup and cook for another 5 minutes.  And you've done it!!! I love to serve this with garlic bread.  So so good!

Enjoy!  

This soup is just as good reheated another day.

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