Instant Pot Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat
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This copycat tastes just like the restaurant version except you can make it in the pressure cooker. It is unbelievably easy and effortless – anyone can make it! It is basically fool-proof. Promise!
Greetings from South Korea!
We have a quick layover here in Seoul before we finally head home to Los Angeles.
It’s been an amazing two weeks in Thailand but I am very much ready to get back home to our 56 degree F weather.
When the scarves, Uggs and seat warmers come out.
And this IP Olive Garden copycat recipe.
It’s truly one of my favorite winter soups ever.
And it’s even more of a favorite now that I know I can make it in the Instant Pot.
It’s rich, it’s hearty, and it’s full of kale!
It’s a great way to sneak in those veggies for those picky eaters, or in my case, Ben.
I have never seen him eat so much kale.
He said, and I quote, ” The kale soaks up the flavors of the sausage so it just tastes like sausage.”
Instant Pot Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 russet potatoes, chopped
- 6 cups chicken broth
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
- 1 cup half and half
Equipment
Instructions
- Set a 6-qt Instant Pot® to the high saute setting. Add olive oil and sausage. Cook, stirring frequently, until sausage is lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the sausage as it cooks; drain excess fat.
- Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and oregano until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in potatoes and chicken broth; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Select manual setting; adjust pressure to high, and set time for 5 minutes. When finished cooking, quick-release pressure according to manufacturer's directions.
- Stir in kale until wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in half and half until heated through, about 1 minute; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
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Isn’t there diced bacon, and a little chilli flake in this soup
You can surely add these ingredients in if you prefer, David! Isn’t that the beauty of home cooking?
I prepared this soup with my grandaughter – it is sooo good!!!!
How fun!! So happy you enjoyed it!
I’ve been seeing all your FABULOUS Instant Pot recipes but don’t yet own an Instant Pot BUT I’m visiting my son & he has a brandnew one, I’m excited to be making this recipe as The First!!
It’s been a long time since I had this at Olive Gdn,, but as I recall the broth is supposed to be thin. It’s like milk. If you want a cream soup run an immersion blender in the potatoes when its done.
I prepped the ingredients before I realized that this recipe is for an Instant Pot. I don’t have one, so I prepared it on the stovetop. After the sausage was browned and the vegetable were sautéed, I simmered the potatoes for about 20 minutes until tender before adding the kale and half-and-half. Perhaps this soup is supposed to be the consistency of a chowder, but it is very thin with lots of broth. I followed the recipe, but substituted mild Italian chicken sausage and increased the amount of kale. After de-stemming, ½ bunch seemed a bit skimpy so I used all of it, which was not too much). This is a quick, tasty one-pot meal and I will definitely make it again, but will reduce the amount of chicken broth in the recipe.
I have an Instant Pot and it was really watery for me. I don’t think I’ll make this one again.
Can this be doubled in the instant pot?
Yes, of course, but cooking time may vary. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
I made this a few days ago but it turned out very runny. Still have lots of leftovers. Is there any way to salvage this? Also, it was pretty bland. Seemed like too much cream? And now I am rereading your recipe and see you specified half and half. LOL I totally messed up on this. Will try again. 😉
I also found it bland & the broth very thin. It needs something else to add some depth of flavor…more oregano? I think k the instant pot just create steam / water that goes into the broth? Not a fan unfortunately… :-/
If you’ve ever eaten this at Olive Garden you know it is a brothe based, not a cream soup. With 5 basic ingredients it requires high quality of each especially the broth. This is a delicious soup if made to the recipe.
This came out great! I used to make a stovetop version that took a lot longer. I really enjoy how the potatoes become so creamy. We doubled the sausage cause my boyfriend loves it and didn’t have to adjust anything else. I used 2 huge potatoes.
This was fantastic! Simple to make and hit the spot on a rainy evening! I doubled the kale since it cooks down so much and topped it off with some freshly grated parmesan cheese.
So I borrowed my friend’s instapot. The soup was a hit. My son ate 2 bowls yesterday and one today. My husband ate a huge bowl too. I used sweet Italian sausage by mistake so my daughter liked it because it wasn’t spicey. I used the kosher salt but it was still bland so I added pink salt instead. Tgank you for the recipe.
I just made the soup. It is very delicious! This is a keeper recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Can this be frozen.
Unfortunately, I cannot answer this with certainty as I have never tried freezing this myself. Please use your best judgment for freezing and reheating.
I was wondering the same thing. Did you ever try freezing it? I was hoping to make this again for company but I would like to make it ahead of their visit and freeze it.
Delicious soup!
I have frozen it before with no issues.
I make this but just a bit differently – I wait until it is served to add the cream/half-n-half. this way each person can make it as creamy as they would like or not add it at all if they don’t want too. When you do it this way it freezes very well with no separation from the dairy. If you can freeze it in individual 8-10 oz size containers it is great for lunches. I also serve this with fresh grated Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, and fried onions as optional toppings for the zuppa. I am making this recipe tonight and have a loaf of no-knead overnight bread in the oven now to go with it for dinner …….. makes my DH’s heart and tummy smile. 🙂
This was so good and so easy. Thank you. I might add more garlic just because I really like garlic. I didn’t have russet potatoes so I used 6 smaller red potatoes my husband approved. Thanks again. Definitely making this again. Mangia Mangia
In case this is helpful for anyone, I made this recipe and it’s SO good!! My modifications were to add 4 large carrots and instead of the half and half I blended two cans of white beans. It thickened the soup and increased the fiber. I will make this again and again!! Thank you, Chungah!!!
What size instant pot do you use? I cook your recipes all week long and I I am trying to decide on the size of one to buy.
I use a 6-qt.
What can I substitute for the half and half that’s non-dairy?
Thanks, Jan
Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
This looks wonderful, but I cannot have dairy… In your opinion, would you just leave the half and half out, or substitute a non dairy milk? Just wondering if it’s really needed or if I would alter the flavor too much with a different milk.. Thank you.
Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
I have made zuppa toscana with coconut milk and it was delicious, so you could try that!
I’ve been doing a copycat Zuppa Toscana for years without the dairy. It’s still delicious. I usually just keep the half n half on the side and let people add to their bowl, if/as desired. My family loves it with & without the cream. Makes it easier for reheating purposes too. Heat up the soup without the cream, then add in after.
I just use a lactose free evaporated milk! It’s great!
Use a little bit of instant mashed potatoes! You went even be able to taste it but it’ll thicken up nicely
yaaasssss!!!
Looks delicious, but I don’t have a pressure cooker/instant Pot. Have you ever made in on the stove top or in a Crock-Pot?
We have a non instant pot version of the recipe here: https://damndelicious.net/2013/12/07/olive-garden-zuppa-toscana-copycat-recipe/
Can I make this in a crockpot? Thank you and I enjoy your recipes. John
Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.