Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup {Olive Garden Copycat Recipe} – An incredibly flavorful copycat Olive Garden recipe made in a crock pot! This recipe is easy to make and feeds a crowd!
Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup {Olive Garden Copycat}
If you’ve ever tried Olive Garden’s zuppa toscana soup, then you understand why it’s such a favorite online. This thick, chunky soup has italian sausage, kale, and potatoes in a cream-based broth that’s filled with flavor. It’s always a toss up for me whether to go with zuppa toscana soup or the chicken and gnocchi soup because both have such incredible flavors but zuppa toscana usually is the winner!
Now making zuppa toscana at home is the best because then you have a nice big batch that can either feed a crowd for dinner or there can be leftovers. I thought that the soup heated up well in the microwave or by popping it in a pan over medium heat on the stovetop. It’s a pretty cost efficient meal too which is a win!
To serve the soup, I like to put a bit of shredded parmesan on top and some bacon. The bacon adds a nice texture and bit of saltiness while the parmesan is always delicious on soup.
Common questions about making zuppa toscana
Is zuppa toscana gluten free?
This zuppa toscana recipe is gluten free but not all are so be careful and check the ingredients before you eat it if you have a gluten intolerance.
Is zuppa toscana Italian?
Yes, zuppa toscana is based on the flavors and ingredients of Tuscany, thus the name translating to “Tuscan soup”.
Is Italian sausage beef or pork?
In America, Italian sausage is usually a pork sausage flavored with fennel seeds and anise seeds.
Can you make soup in a crock pot?
Yes, making soup in a crock pot is very simple. In general, you combine the ingredients for the soup in a slow cooker and either put it on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours.
Tips and tricks on this slow cooker zuppa toscana soup recipe
- If you want to make it even spicier, you can do up to 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. I used about 1/8 tsp and it was on the edge of my super low spice threshold so don’t go too overboard!
- You can substitute kale for spinach.
- Turkey sausage is a great substitute for the italian sausage.
Looking for more easy soup recipes?
Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana {Olive Garden Copycat Recipe}

Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup - An incredibly flavorful italian soup! Sausage, potatoes, kale, and onions slow cooker together with a creamy broth and delicious blend of spices. This Olive Garden copycat recipe is a great way to feed a crowd and is so easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1/2 lbs italian sausage, mild
- 1/3 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 russet potatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed and chopped
Instructions
- In a large pan, brown sausage over medium heat with garlic and onions. Drain off extra grease before transferring to large slow cooker.
- Add sausage, onions, garlic, diced potatoes, chicken broth, bay leaf, italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the slow cooker. Set to HIGH and cook for 3-4 hours or LOW and cook for 5-6 hours.
- 30 minutes before serving, pour in heavy whipping cream and kale. Stir to combine.
Notes
Adapted from Bowl Me Over
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 224
Christie
That is a bowl of deliciousness! The potatoes are screaming EAT ME! And that hearty sausage. So yummy looking.
Debra @Bowl Me Over
Oh this soup is amazing and I love you transformed it into a slow cooker recipe, brilliant! Thank you for the kind words and sharing and just everything!! I’m just so happy you loved this soup as much as we do, your photographs are beautiful!!!
Candi
One of my favorite soups! This looks so comforting!
debi at Life Currents
This looks like the perfect dinner for these chilly days. Keep you warm on the inside!
Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish
I”m a big fan of soup and this one looks so rich and delicious!
Michele
This is one of my favorite soups but Ive never had it at home…. going to fix this very soon!
Angela
Such great flavors! I love a hearty soup and I love that you made this even easier by using the slow cooker! What fun!! Cant wait to give this soup a go!
Sandra Shaffer
Adding this to my meal plan this week. Love that you can make this in a slow cooker. It looks scrumptious!
Michelle
We’re such huge soup fans here! I hardly ever make them in the slow cooker though, so I am definitely going to have to try this!
Jennifer
All I need is a big spoon and a few dozen breadsticks and this pot of soup will be destroyed!
justine
I love that you made a slow cooker version, I rarely make soup in the crockpot so I love getting new recipes!
Michele @ Bacon Fatte
This soup looks wonderful! I love the fact that you’ve turned it into a slow cooker recipe… I bet the house smelled amazing while it was cooking. Looking forward to trying it!
Michaela Kenkel
This is my FAVORITE soup on the planet!! I love that you made it in the crock pot!! Totally trying this!
Lori Vachon
Going to snow here again, tomorrow and this soup has found me at the perfect time! Can’t wait to try your recipe!