It's cold in Texas. Let's make soup! Zuppa Toscana

When it gets cold or anytime you want a cozy, hearty soup, make this Olive Garden duplicate recipe for Zuppa Toscana.
This hearty, creamy soup is packed with flavorful spicy Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and vibrant kale, all swimming in a rich, comforting broth. Perfect for a cozy meal, and you can top it off with crispy bacon and Parmesan cheese for an extra boost of flavor!
Ingredients:
1 pound spicy Italian ground sausage
4 tablespoons butter
½ white onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
4-5 yellow potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups heavy cream
4 cups chopped kale
Chopped bacon or bacon bits (optional, for topping)
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions:
Cook the Sausage:
In a large pot, heat the 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat.
Add the spicy Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Once cooked, remove the sausage from the pot and set it aside, leaving some of the rendered fat in the pot.
Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring often to avoid burning the garlic.
Simmer the Soup:
Pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring to combine. Scrape the bottom of the pot to get all the bits on the bottom. Add the diced potatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
Add the Cream and Kale:
Once the potatoes are tender, return the cooked sausage to the pot and stir to combine. Add the chopped kale and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the kale is wilted and tender. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the soup back to a simmer.
Adjust Seasoning:
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serve and Garnish:
Ladle the soup into bowls, then garnish with chopped bacon (or bacon bits) and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Enjoy!
This soup is perfect for chilly days and works well as leftovers, as the flavors meld even better the next day!