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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I veganized this soup and it was easy and delicious! Subbed vegan sausage, veggie broth, and sunflower crème. Big hit with my family ~ will make again often. Thank you!
Soooooo good, made it yesterday and then again today!
I Love your recipes! You have made me a Rockstar in the kitchen! I’m an OR nurse so working long days and my days off during this Pandemic so being a picky eater I enjoy cooking and eating at home…especially now. I’ve taken in a homeless person that I went to high school with and he’s my #1 fan, every time I cook he says it’s the best he’s ever had…thank you! Made the beef stroganoff last night…so damn delicious! Just wondering if you would consider copycat recipes for Olive Gardens…Pasta e Fagioli and Carrabba’s…Mama Mandola’s Silicilian chicken soup. Two of my favorites but can’t wait to try this one as well!
I make this for my roommates and parents all the time! I’ve even made it for a party and everyone was asking me for the recipe. It’s pretty spot on to Olive Garden and goes great with bread.
I love this soup! Our family keeps it in our biweekly rotation, and I always look forward to the left overs. I use the whole bushel of kale, and add a can or two or white beans for extra protein. So delicious! Thank you for sharing such an amazing recipe. I am hooked!
Can I use heavy cream instead of half and half?
No
This is a favorite in our household. Thanks for this recipe! Love your blog!!
yes you absolutely can if you don’t mind the extra fat, it will taste even better.
You can totally make your own half-and-half. Use 3/4c. heavy cream and 3/4c. milk. I did and it worked great 🙂
I used heavy cream because I didn’t have half and half. Tasted great.
Love this recipe. Thank you!
Yes, I do, and it’s great!
Used 1 bunch kale instead of 1/2, hot sausage, and full fat coco milk instead of half and half. Delicious!
this was sooooo perfect! I did add cremini mushrooms and a can of pureed canalinni beans. Thank you so much for the recipe
Love this, been using this recipe for a year now. Suddenly the recipe is not visible on this page (only the video is available)…will you be putting it back up? Specifically I don’t know if we are doing a Natural Pressure Release or a Quick Release.
Please advise, Thanks!
Hi Moses! There was a system glitch last night but all recipes have been restored. I recommend clearing your cache to view the recipe. SO SORRY for the inconvenience!
Whoo hoo! Its back up, thanks!
Directions say quick release
Excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐… will make again. I went heavy with garlic and Italian seasoning (instead of only oregano), and used red potatoes instead. We loved it!
This is the best soup! I make it all the time. If you are ill or had surgery this is what I bring. I also made a vegan version no meat vegetable broth and almond milk …it was.. Damn delicious also! thanks for sharing your talents. Monique
This Zuppa was absolutely amazing. The recipe is a 5* keeper!
My husband and I really enjoyed this. We added a dash of hot sauce to our bowls and found it perfect. My daughter wouldn’t eat it because she is 5 and will not eat anything. She said it was “spicy” because she is allergic to flavor. The fact that she thought it was spicy means that it does have a very nice flavor and is not bland. Next time I will add more potatoes and kale because we had a lot of broth left.
Hvaen’t tried it yet but wondering if anyone has done it with vegetarian Italian sausage? Wondering how I should change the recipe if we substitute that. I know part of the flavor comes from the fat that cooks out of the sausage so don’t know what to sub in for that. Let me know if you have any ideas. I love the taste of this soup but my stomach doesn’t like real Italian sausage.
Did anyone respond to this? I’m going to try vegan sausage tomorrow.
Yes made it with vegan sausage and it was really good, we aren’t even vegetarians.
This recipe is FAB!!! I followed the directions directly as stated. The Kale basically taste very similar to spinach, therefore either option is great. Easy to make. Great for family dinner or an entertaining option (Has a nice presentation). My husband is from Louisiana, and therefore robust flavor is required in all recipes. This recipe was added to the “approved list!”
It was good, but not enough flavor. When I make it again, I would use the spicy italian sausage instead
Perfect replica
I have made this soup twice now. Once as written and once with substitutes. Hillshire farms makes a roasted garlic chicken sausage, and substituted spinach for the kale, we also added some shredded carrots because I had them and they needed to get eaten. – ALSO a winner! my family ate it up. This is going to become a staple in our house during cold Kansas winters. Thank you so much for sharing!
great recipe for first time using insta pot. doubled the oregano, added basil and red pepper flakes. turned out great!
Turned out great! Tastes close to olive gardens. I have found that different brands of sausage can make a huge difference. We also add extra potatoes and kale.
This recipe is spot on! Absolutely delicious and super easy to prepare.