Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana is a rustic Italian soup notable for its robust combination of Italian sausage, potatoes, kale, and heavy cream. The combination of these ingredients creates a rich, savory broth.

As the name suggests, the soup originates from the Tuscany region of Italy. Traditional versions in Italy often feature cannellini beans instead of potatoes and kale, though the Americanized version uses the latter ingredients.

The soup became massively popular in the US due to the Olive Garden restaurant chain. The chain's heavily adapted version introduced millions of Americans to the dish, making it a highly requested menu item.

The primary thickening agent in Zuppa Toscana is the heavy cream, which gives the broth its signature richness. Additionally, the natural starch released from the diced potatoes helps to slightly thicken the soup base as it simmers.