This Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana is made with spicy, gluten-free Italian sausage, potatoes, kale, and a creamy broth, and it’s a delicious and satisfying meal. You’ll love how simple it is to make, and I’ve included cooking directions for the Instant Pot and Slow Cooker. Be prepared for everyone wanting seconds of this delicious, heart-warming soup. For another favorite, don’t miss my dairy-free Buffalo Chicken Soup.
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Ingredients
If you prefer beef in this dish, try my Italian Beef Sausage.
Slow- Cooker instructions
- In a large skillet, fry the Italian sausage for 5 minutes, chopping it while it cooks to get it crumbly.
- Add in the garlic, onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat and place the sausage mixture in a slow cooker.
- Add chopped potatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on high for 4 hours, then add chopped kale and coconut milk. Replace the lid and cook on low for 15 more minutes.
- Serve. Season with more red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
Instant Pot instructions
- Set a 6-qt or 8-qt Instant Pot to the saute setting and add the oil and sausage. Stir frequently and crumble the sausage as it cooks until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. If there is any excess fat, drain it off.
- Continue cooking and add the garlic, onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir frequently until the onion is cooked, about 3 minutes.
- Add in the chopped potatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
- Press the manual setting to set the timer for 5 minutes at high pressure. When time is up, use the quick-release method to open.
- Stir in the kale and coconut milk and let heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve. Season with more red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
More soup recipes you’ll love:
Dairy-Free Zuppa Toscana (Gluten-Free)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Delicious Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana made dairy-free & gluten-free with directions for Instant Pot and Slow-Cooker.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 1 pound gluten-free Italian sausage, casings removed
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 russet potatoes, chopped
- 6 cups gluten-free chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ bunch kale, stems removed and torn into bite-size pieces
- 1 13.5 oz can coconut milk, stirred
Instructions
Slow-cooker Instructions:
- In a large skillet fry the Italian sausage for 5 minutes; chopping it while it cooks to get it crumbly.
- Add in the garlic, onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat and place sausage mixture in a 6-qt. slow-cooker.
- Add chopped potatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on high for 4 hours and then add in chopped kale and whisked coconut milk and let heat through for a few minutes.
- Serve with additional red pepper flakes if desired.
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Set a 6-qt or 8-qt Instant Pot to the saute setting and add the oil and sausage. Chopping while it cooks to crumble the sausage until lightly browned about 5 minutes. If there is any excess fat drain it off.
- Continue cooking and add the garlic, onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stirring frequently until the onion is cooked, about 3 minutes.
- Add in the chopped potatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
- Press manual setting for set timer for 5 minutes at high pressure. When time is up, use the quick-release method to open.
- Stir in the kale and coconut milk and let heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve. Season with more red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
Notes
If you prefer beef in this dish, try my Italian Beef Sausage.
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For more delicious soup recipes, be sure to see my Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Soups.
Amber
Do you think it would be any good if I substituted the sausage with ground beef? Just curious.
MamaShire
You could definitely use ground beef. I would add some additional seasoning to it though, like Italian seasoning and a little fennel. That will help bring out the flavor.
Laura
Would this freeze well?
MamaShire
Yes, make sure it’s completely cooled before freezing.
Heather
Tried this soup tonight and it was so tasty! Didn’t miss the dairy at all and I couldn’t tell it had coconut milk! Yum! Thank you for sharing ☺️
MamaShire
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Emily
This pleased everyone in our family, even a couple of super picky eaters who usually don’t go for kale or onions (or soup really at all). Definitely a keeper! Thanks!
Heather
Best soup EVER! I love Zuppa Toscana but since cutting out dairy I’ve had to avoid it…this recipe is absolutely perfect and tastes just like the traditional version. It’s also one of the easiest recipes ever–I make it all the time. Thank you for sharing!
MamaShire
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Joe
We just made this and the potatoes were not close to done. I am not sure if another 2 hours on low would have done it. It probably needed 4 hours on high or potatoes that were boiled ahead of time. We are quite disappointed.
MamaShire
Thanks for letting me know. My apologies to you. It definitely needs to be on high. I will update the post and double-check for any other issues with it.
KD
This does not fit into a 4qt crockpot.. which I learned the hard way. Left out a potato to save some room. Will most likely have to transfer half into a soup pot then add the kale and coconut milk. Hope it turns out well🤷🏻♀️
Nina
This soup is absolutely delicious! We used a mix of mild and spicy Italian sausage and it gave it a great kick!
MamaShire
So glad you enjoy this and the spicy Italian sausage sounds great!
Melissa
Super yummy! Wondering how much a serving size is? Had to use spinach instead of kale bc of a husband purchase error lol. Also good!
MamaShire
Yes, I think spinach is an excellent choice too! 🙂 Serving size is “around” 1 1/2 cups. But it can always differ depending on who you’re serving, some people need a big serving and others don’t.
Chris Ann
Which coconut milk? Unsweetened full fat?
MamaShire
Yes, full-fat regular coconut milk.
Madison
This has become our favorite recipe! I’m recently dairy free (sad!) and my boyfriend is gluten-free so it’s tough to find easy, tasty recipes to fit both of our allergies but this checks all the boxes. Highly recommend!
MamaShire
Oh, I’m so glad it checks your boxes and that you can both enjoy it! Food allergies can be a bear.
Lisa
I have a 3qt instant pot what are the adjustments I need to make.
MamaShire
I would not recommend the 3-quart instant pot for this. It would be too small.
Claudia
Absolutely delicious! I was worried about the coconut milk, and there was a slight coconut flavor but no where near as poignant as I would have thought, I am sure the mild coconut flavor was all in my head because no one else commented on it or even knew!
MamaShire
Oh, that’s wonderful! It’s surprising how the flavor of coconut milk can disappear with savory seasonings.
KT
I was concerned about the coconut milk, but it was delicious! So glad I came across this version!
MamaShire
So glad you enjoyed it!
Melissa
Hi!
Can I make this with dairy? If so, what do you suggest to substitute coconut milk with? My husband is only gluten free but can have dairy.
MamaShire
You can use about 1 cup of heavy whipping cream.
Geri
I made this on top of the stove and it tuned out so delicious. The only used bulk sausage and skipped the oil.
Shannon Fuller
Do you think you can make this with just broth and no coconut cream. No cream at all?
MamaShire
Yes, that would work. You could also substitute with almond or cashew milk if you’re wanting to avoid coconut.
Emily
Easily our favorite soup! So delicious – and nutritious!
Shannon
I’ve made this recipe twice now, once with sweet Italian sausage and the next with Mild Italian sausage and both times it was amazing! I have to half or quarter the amount of red pepper flakes because my little kids can’t tolerate spice. This recipe is so easy and I love that it cooks on high in only 4 hours. Two of my family members are allergic to dairy so this recipe is a new favorite and will be added into regular rotation. Thank you!
MamaShire
So glad your family is enjoying it!
marion
i have made this twice now for my gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free sister, and she loves it better than the original from olive garden!
MamaShire
That’s so great!