Kick it up a notch with this Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana!
Inside: Kick it up a notch with this Olive Garden copycat Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana soup!
The first time I tried to recreate my favorite Olive Garden soup at home, my husband looked at it and asked, “What’s the green stuff?”
That’s the same reaction I usually get from my kids—an immediate “ewww, it’s green…”
But coming from my husband, the question earned an eyeroll.
That “green stuff” came from my garden. It was the only plant I didn’t manage to kill during my first year of gardening.
He tried the soup anyway.
And now?
Now he asks me to make Zuppa Toscana in the Instant Pot every week.
Pressure Cooker Kale and Sausage Soup
Maybe it’s because that one year I only successfully grew kale, or maybe it’s because my kids will actually eat kale without dramatics. Whatever the reason, kale is a big part of our meals, and I don’t shy away from adding a lot of it to this Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana.
I don’t believe you can have too much kale in this soup. The recipe below is the version I make for my family—balanced, flavorful, and not overly spicy.
When I make this just for my husband and me, I make two adjustments: I add an extra tablespoon of crushed red pepper for heat and a tablespoon of anise for depth. The heat, subtle licorice hint from the anise, and the kale’s texture make a wonderful combination.
Ready to get cooking? This Instant Pot version brings the comforting flavors of olive oil, Italian sausage, potatoes, cream, and plenty of kale together quickly and easily—perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want a hearty bowl without a long wait.
Follow your Instant Pot recipe instructions for browning the sausage, sautéing aromatics, adding diced potatoes and broth, pressure cooking to tender, then finishing with cream and chopped kale. Adjust crushed red pepper to taste and add a touch of anise if you like a warm, slightly sweet spice note.
This Zuppa Toscana is comforting, family-friendly, and adaptable: make it mild for kids or turn up the heat and aromatics for adults. Leftovers keep well and taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
[mpprecipe-recipe:38]
Pin This!
