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You will fall hard for this easy Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana recipe. You can make this sausage and potato soup in the Instant Pot, crockpot, or on the stovetop. You’ll also find plant-based options in the recipe card.

zuppa toscana in an Instant Pot with bowls and a ladle.
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You’re in for a real treat with this Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana, my friends!

Made in the Instant Pot (or slow cooker OR on the stovetop. I mean, seriously, you have options) you’ll find yourself making this Olive Garden copycat soup again and again.

Ingredients

kale, potatoes, sausage, bacon, and other ingredients on a marble board.

This recipe uses:

  • Bacon – the candy of meat
  • Sausage – ground, or links with casings removed
  • Potatoes – I recommend Russet
  • Garlic, and lots of it
  • Onion
  • Chicken stock
  • Heavy cream
  • Kale – see notes about using other greens
  • Red pepper flakes if you’re feeling it. It’s your world, season as you see fit.

How to Make Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana

*I’ll walk you through it here with some photos and tips, and you’ll also find a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post with exact measurements, etc. You can also click “jump to recipe” to skip down.

Start by pressing saute on your Instant Pot. Let it get hot and then add the chopped bacon to the insert and let it cook for 3-4 minutes. You’ll want to stir it occasionally so that it doesn’t burn.

When the bacon is half-cooked, add the sausage and cook, stirring often, until the sausage is cooked through. All brands of sausage can vary on how much grease they produce, so I recommend draining all but ~1-2 tsp of fat once the sausage has been fully cooked.

Add a splash of the chicken broth and let it sit in the Instant Pot for a minute. Use a wooden spoon or a wooden scraper (like this one) and deglaze (it’s a fancy word for scrape) the bottom of the Instant Pot.

two photos showing how to make Zuppa Toscana in an Instant Pot.

You don’t want to skip the deglazing step for two reasons. One, anything stuck to the bottom of the Instant Pot insert can prevent it from coming up to pressure.

Two, scraping up the bits of caramelized stuck on bacon and sausage adds incredible flavor to the overall soup. Those bits are called “fond”, and now you get to be the coolest person with the nerdiest facts at your next dinner party. Congrats.

After you’ve scraped the bottom of the Instant Pot, add the onions, garlic, chicken stock, and potatoes. If you’re a fan of spice and you’re using the red pepper flakes, go ahead and add them now.

Pro tip: if you prefer that the kale is super duper soft in your zuppa toscana, go ahead and add it with the other ingredients now. Adding it later means it will be al dente. You get to choose!

two photos showing how to make Zuppa Toscana in an Instant Pot.

Lock the lid into place and set the steam release handle (valve on top) to “Sealing”. Press Manual>High Pressure>5 minutes.

When the cooking time is up, do a natural release for 10 minutes, and then flip the vent to “venting” and perform a quick release.

Remove the lid, add the heavy cream, and the kale, and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT

Storing Leftovers: Allow the Zuppa Toscana to fully cool before storing it in air-tight containers in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Reheating Leftovers: You can reheat the soup in the microwave. Start with 1 minute, stir, and then add an additional 30 seconds until it is heated to your liking.

Or, reheat on the stovetop for 5-10 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring often.

Freezing: You can freeze Zuppa Toscana and store it for 2-3 months with a few recommendations. I strongly encourage you to freeze the soup before you add the heavy cream and kale. This will prevent weird textures in the soup upon reheating. You can add those items to individual portions once thawed and ready to serve.

My favorite way to freeze leftover soup is in 1-cup or 2-cup Souper Cubes. Once frozen, I remove them from the trays and transfer them to freezer-safe silicone bags for the perfect zero-waste freezer method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, but it depends on the size of the Instant Pot that you’re using. It will easily double in an 8-quart or a 6-quart.

If you’re doubling the recipe, the cooking time remains the same. It will take longer to come to pressure with more volume, but you still only need to cook it for 5 minutes.

What kind of kale should I use?

My preference is lacinto kale which is also called dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale. It’s a flatter leaf and the ribs are easier to remove. Kale also holds up really well in the soup when reheated.

Can I use something other than kale in Zuppa Toscana?

Yes, absolutely! You can sub in spinach, escarole, or swiss chard without changing the flavor of the soup.

Spinach and escarole are less hardy than kale or swiss chard and they may wilt more when added to the whole pot of soup. If that isn’t the texture you’re going for, you can also add fresh spinach to each bowl and then ladle hot soup over it.

Can I use frozen kale or spinach in this recipe?

Yes, absolutely! Throw in some frozen spinachfrozen swiss chard, or frozen kale at the end of the cooking time.

Can I make this plant-based/dairy-free?

Yes! Use your favorite plant-based sausage, like Beyond’s spicy Italian sausage and either use a plant-based bacon or leave that out.

For non-dairy milk, full-fat coconut milk, cashew milk, or oat milk are my favorite. Do make sure that any plant-based milks are unsweetened and unflavored.

You’ll also want to use vegetable broth in place of the chicken stock.

Can I use something other than heavy cream?

Heavy cream will give you the best flavor, but I have successfully used half-and-half and whole milk when needed.

If you’re using something other than heavy cream, reduce the chicken stock by 1/2 cup.

Can I leave the peels on the potatoes?

Sure thing!

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • This soup is meant to have a thin broth with a hint of creaminess. It’s delicious and so good but it is not a thick cream-based soup like a chowder. If you want to make the texture thicker, remove some of the potatoes, mash them with a bit of the broth, and stir them back into the soup.
  • I made this in an 8-quart Instant Pot. It will work in a 6 quart without issue. You would need to make adjustments to the measurements (slide the servings lever on the recipe card below) to make it in a 3 quart.
  • Need a low-carb option? Sub in cauliflower florets or radishes.
a black bowl of sausage and potato soup topped with crunchy bacon.
5 from 29 ratings

Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Pressurizing/Depressurizing: 15 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
zuppa toscana in an Instant Pot with bowls and a ladle.
You will fall hard for this easy Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana recipe. You can make this sausage and potato soup in the Instant Pot, crockpot, or on the stovetop. You'll also find plant-based options in the recipe card.

Ingredients 

  • 4 strips bacon {chopped}
  • 1 lb ground sausage {casings removed if using links}
  • 1/2 cup white onion {diced}
  • 6 cloves garlic {minced}
  • 5 cups chicken stock {low sodium recommended}
  • 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream {non-dairy cream works well too}
  • 2 cups kale {sliced into ribbons}
  • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes {optional}
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Set the Instant Pot to saute. Add the bacon and cook for 3-4 minutes stirring so that it doesn't burn. 
    4 strips bacon
  • Add the sausage and break it up, stirring often. Drain all but 1-2 tsp of fat. 
    1 lb ground sausage
  • Add a splash of chicken broth and use a scraper to deglaze the bottom of the Instant Pot. Don’t skip this step as anything stuck to the bottom can prevent the Instant Pot from coming up to pressure.
  • Add the onion, garlic, broth, and potatoes. If using red pepper flakes, add here.
    1/2 cup white onion, 6 cloves garlic, 5 cups chicken stock, 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes, 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Lock the lid into place and set the steam release handle (valve on top) to “Sealing”. Press Manual>High Pressure>5 minutes.
  • When the cooking time is up, do a natural release for 10 minutes, and then flip the vent to "venting" and perform a quick release.
  • Add heavy cream and kale and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
    3/4 cup heavy cream, 2 cups kale, salt and pepper to taste

Notes

  1. If you want to make the texture thicker, remove some of the potatoes, mash them with a bit of the broth, and stir them back into the soup.
  2. You can leave the peels on the potatoes if desired.
  3. Non-dairy milk or creamer works well in place of heavy cream.
  4. If you’re doubling the recipe, the cooking time remains the same. It will take longer to come to pressure with more volume, but you still only need to cook it for 5 minutes.
  5. You can sub in spinach, escarole, or Swiss chard without changing the flavor of the soup.
Stovetop Instructions
  1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan set to medium, cook the bacon and break it up, stirring often. Add the sausage and cook until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Add the onion, garlic, broth, and potatoes and cook on low for 20-35 minutes, or until the potatoes are softened. If using red pepper flakes, add here.
  3. Add cream and kale and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
Slow Cooker Instructions
  1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan set to medium, cook the bacon and break it up, stirring often. Add the sausage and cook until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Transfer to a slow cooker.
  2. Add the onion, garlic, broth, and potatoes and cook on low for 6 hours, or until the potatoes are softened. If using red pepper flakes, add here.
  3. Add milk and kale and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 412kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 19gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 312mgPotassium: 1186mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 770IUVitamin C: 37.8mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 5.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah

Helping you serve up budget-friendly sustainable recipes with a side of balanced living.
Come for the food. Stay for the snark.

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57 Comments

  1. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SOUP! It’s been forever since we made it. This time around I used our Butcher Box bacon and breakfast sausage and Ripple Original Unsweetened in place of the cream. I doubled the recipe (I think ended up with about 5 cups of kale) and we are all so excited about leftovers!!5 stars

    1. Tina, you’re a woman after my own heart! Doubling soup and enjoying the leftovers is the best part of life.

      Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

  2. I made a dairy free version on this crisp Fall Sunday and it was a hit! Everyone wanted a second bowl. Requests were made to add it to the regular Fall/Winter Sunday Soup rotation. I did pull about 1 cup of potatoes out after they were soft, blend them, and then add them back in to thicken the soup a bit. We used 3/4 cup of coconut cream to make it dairy free. Two thumbs up and five stars for the stove-top method!5 stars

  3. LOVE this soup! I took the lazy route and bought the pre-chopped kale, but it wasn’t really chopped, so wasn’t a time saver… I’m sad it’s taken me so long to make it since the last time!5 stars

  4. Seriously the simplest soup and amazing during the week when you want something warm and hearty without having to spend all day at the stove. Thanks for such a great recipe, Sarah!5 stars

  5. This soup was amazing! We’ve had an instant pot for years but I’d never used it (I know, shameful!) because I found it kind of intimidating. Your recipe was so easy to follow and everything worked perfectly. Thank you! The instant pot definitely won’t be collecting dust anymore.5 stars

    1. I’m so glad you loved it, Amanda. And YES to taking that Instant Pot out of the box!!! That is a huge step; nice work.

  6. Zomg. Amazing! I haven’t had time to cook in ages but I came across a bag of chopped kale and have been thinking about this recipe for weeks. 

    Today was the day—I got some Spicy Italian sausage out of the freezer, bought potatoes and milk (didn’t use the milk) and started cooking. 

    I didn’t feel like defrosting bacon, so skipped that. Missed the part where I take the fat out after cooking the sausage (oops), used plain water and skipped the milk but it was still amazing!!! 5 stars