• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Contact
Check out my cookbook

The Toasted Pine Nut

fun. flavorful. feel-good recipes.

  • Check out my cookbook!
  • Recipes
    • Dessert
      • Cookies
      • Bars & Brownies
      • Breads & Muffins
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Pies & Crumbles
      • Candy
      • No Bake
    • Meal
      • Breakfast
      • Main Dishes
      • Appetizers
      • Sides
      • Snacks
      • Drinks
      • Salads
      • Sauces & Dips
      • Dessert
    • Diet
      • Gluten Free
      • Dairy Free
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
      • Egg Free
      • Kid Friendly
      • Low Carb
      • Nut Free
    • Meat
      • Fish & Seafood
      • Chicken & Poultry
      • Beef & Pork
      • Meatless
    • Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Oven
      • Grill
      • Stovetop
    • Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Recipe Filter
  • Shop
    • My Baking Mixes
    • Kitchen Essentials
    • Pantry Items
    • Kid Favorites
    • Photography
  • Cookbook
  • Videos
Home Recipes Soups
★★★★★ 5 from 4 Reviews

Quick 30-Minute Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana Soup

30 min
GF Gluten-Free EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free
Avatar by: Lindsay Grimes
December 30, 2020 (Updated: December 2, 2021)
Jump to Recipe
Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This is an overhead image of a soup bowl on a white counter. The soup has a creamy broth with pieces of meat, kale, and potatoes in it. Text overlay reads "instant pot zuppa toscana"
This is a side image of a soup bowl with a cream broth, sausage, kale, and potatoes. A spoon scoops a potato and leans against the side of the bowl. The bowl sits on a white counter. Text overlay reads "instant pot zuppa toscana"
This is an overhead image of a soup bowl on a white counter with a blue dish towel at the top of the image. The soup bowl has a cream broth with meat, potatoes, and kale inside.
This Instant Pot zuppa toscana soup recipe is packed full of potatoes, kale, sausage, and bacon in a silky and creamy broth. Inspired by Olive Gardens famous soup, this homemade version comes together in just 30 minutes and is even more delicious! It’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner and can be made using the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or stovetop.

Whenever I’m in a soup mood, I always do an inventory of all my soup recipes and start craving all their cozy, comforting vibes.

This is a copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup that’s better than the restaurant version. It has a brothy, creamy base, tons of juicy, sausage flavor, some buttery potatoes, and some kale for good measure.

I love instant pot soup recipes like this Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup and this Instant Pot Chicken Zoodle Soup which is a fun play off of an instant pot chicken noodle soup.

If you love cooking, check out my cookbook Cauliflower Power which contains 75 gluten free recipes using cauliflower in fun and creative ways!

What is zuppa toscana soup?

Zuppa Toscana translates to “Tuscan soup.” It’s a traditionally Italian soup that contains kale, zucchini, beans, potato, carrots, onions, and topped with cheese.

In this pressure cooker zuppa toscana, we’re using a mix of sausage and bacon, onion, potatoes, and garlic in a brothy cream sauce.

This is a side image of a soup bowl with a cream broth, sausage, kale, and potatoes. A spoon scoops a potato and leans against the side of the bowl. The bowl sits on a white counter with a blue napkin blurred in the background.

Ingredients in Zuppa Toscana:

  • Avocado Oil: This is my favorite cooking oil lately because it’s super mellow and has a high smoke point, but you can use whatever your favorite cooking oil is.
  • Onion: I love using sweet onions, just dice it up and go! Or, you can save time and buy some pre-chopped onions at the grocery store.
  • Sausage: I used mild Italian sausage for this recipe, but you can really control the heat and spice by bumping it up to a medium or spicy sausage. If you get sausage links, make sure to remove the meat from the casing for this recipe.
  • Bacon: Adds some extra flavor to this soup that is AHH-MAZING.
  • Garlic: because garlic is happiness. It’s science.
  • Chicken Broth: Will be the main base of this soup, but if you’re in a pinch, feel free to use veggie broth or even beef broth.
  • Cream: I used regular, good old fashioned heavy cream. If you can’t do dairy, try subbing in coconut cream. Or, make a less creamy broth and leave it out completely. Just make sure to add in some water in its place.
  • Potatoes: I used gold potatoes for two reasons. First, they have a buttery soft middle that is smooth and glorious. I knew they would provide a perfect potato slice to sink my teeth into as I slurp my soup. Second, they have a super thin skin and so I felt zero need to peel them. If you are using any other potato, I definitely recommend you peel the potatoes before you cut them and add them to your instant pot. Gold potatoes? Some of the skins come off in the cooking process, some stay on. Either way, they were delish!
  • Kale: I used frozen chopped kale that was stashed away in the back of my freezer for smoothies. Fresh kale works too, just make sure to pull the leaves away from the stem, discard the stem, and chop the leaves before you add them to your soup.
  • Salt & Pepper: to taste.

How to make Zuppa Toscana in your Instant Pot:

It’s so simple! We’re making this entire soup in our Instant Pot so it comes together really quickly too.

Sauté. First we’ll sauté the onion, sausage, and bacon in the instant pot until golden brown.

Add everything else. This step is pretty straight forward 🙂

Pressure cook for 15 minutes!

Serve. I topped mine with some shredded Romano cheese and freshly cracked pepper.

This is a close up image of a spoon leaning against the side of the bowl. The spoon dips down into a creamy broth with sausage, kale, and potatoes. The spoon scoops up a small potato piece.

Can this soup be frozen and reheated?

Yes, you can store it in an airtight container in the freezer up to three months. Defrost it in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Can I make this in my slow cooker or stovetop?

Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana:

Sauté the onion, sausage, and bacon in avocado oil in a large skillet. Once golden brown, add the garlic and sauté for another two minutes.

Transfer the onions and meat to your slow cooker along with the broth, potatoes, kale, salt, and pepper. Cover and set on low for 5 – 6 hours or high for 3 – 4 hours. Stir in the cream stir and enjoy!

Stovetop Zuppa Toscana:

Use a large soup pot or dutch oven. To the pot, add the avocado oil, sausage, onion, and bacon to the pot and sauté until it starts to get golden brown. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for another two minutes.

Place the broth, potatoes, kale, salt, and pepper into the pot. Gently boil for about 15 – 20 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender. Stir in the cream and enjoy!

Is Zuppa Toscana Soup healthy?

Healthy is relative and everyone has a different definition of what that means. Here’s what I will tell you. This soup is naturally gluten free and grain free.

It uses dairy cream, but you can sub in coconut cream if you’re dairy free to doing a whole30.

I used potatoes in this recipe, but if you’re sticking to a low carb lifestyle, you can sub in some cauliflower florets to boost up the fiber and veggies while lowering the carbs.

This is an overhead image of a soup bowl on a white counter. The soup has a creamy broth with pieces of meat, kale, and potatoes in it.

More Recipe Tips:

Make this recipe whole30: Replace the cream with coconut cream.

Too much grease from the meat browning: This is personal preference. I don’t mind it and just keep it in the soup. But, if it bothers you, you can remove the meat and onions from the pot when you are done browning, drain the grease. Then, add the meat mixture back to the pot and continue to cook as directed. 

More soup recipes:

  • Instant Pot Chicken Cauliflower Rice Soup
  • Slow Cooker Cheddar Cauliflower Soup
  • Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup
  • Instant Pot Chicken Zoodle Soup
  • Acorn Squash Soup with Thai Pesto
  • Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower Soup
  • Orange Ginger Carrot Soup

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

This is an overhead image of a soup bowl on a white counter. The soup has a creamy broth with pieces of meat, kale, and potatoes in it. Recipe
GF Gluten-Free EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free

Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana

This Instant Pot zuppa toscana soup recipe is creamy, decadent, and packed full of satisfying flavors. Stovetop and slow cooker instructions included too!

AvatarRecipe by:Lindsay Grimes
★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews
Prep: 15 minCook: 15 minTotal: 30 min
Print recipe Rate recipe Pin Save recipe
Servings: serves 10 1x

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 16 oz. Italian sausage (I used mild sausage)
  • 6 slices bacon, cut in small 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 sweet onion, diced (2 cups diced onion)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 lb. gold potatoes, cut in small pieces
  • 2 cups chopped kale
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper + more for serving
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • shredded Romano cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Turn your pressure cooker to the sauté mode for 10 minutes and add the oil, sausage, and bacon to the instant pot. 
  2. Sauté for 10 minutes until the onions, sausage, and bacon starts to brown and caramelize. 
  3. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes. 
  4. Add the broth, cream, potatoes, kale, salt, and pepper to the instant pot. 
  5. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the pressure cooker to high for 15 minutes. 
  6. After the 15 minutes, flip the switch to allow the steam to release from the pressure cooker. 
  7. Add the cream to the soup. Give it a good stir and ladle into bowls. 
  8. Shred Romano cheese on top of each bowl and sprinkle with freshly ground pepper. 

Tips

Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana:

Sauté the onion, sausage, and bacon in avocado oil in a large skillet. Once golden brown, add the garlic and sauté for another two minutes.

Transfer the onions and meat to your slow cooker along with the broth, potatoes, kale, salt, and pepper. Cover and set on low for 5 – 6 hours or high for 3 – 4 hours. Stir in the cream and enjoy!

Stovetop Zuppa Toscana:

Use a large soup pot or dutch oven. Add the avocado oil, sausage, onion, and bacon to the pot and sauté until it starts to get golden brown. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for another two minutes.

Add the broth, potatoes, kale, salt, and pepper to the pot. Gently boil for about 15 – 20 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender. Stir in the cream and enjoy!

Nutrition Info:

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 0.8g
  • Sodium: 1049mg
  • Fat: 28.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 11.7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8.9g
  • Fiber: 0.8g
  • Protein: 16.8g
  • Cholesterol: 84mg
© The Toasted Pine Nut

Did you make this?

I love seeing what you made! Tag me on social @thetoastedpinenut

Rate recipe Tag me on Instagram
187 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Save
  • Email
overhead image of a gluten free sprinkle cookie with a bite taken out on a white counter

Never miss a recipe!

Join our pine nut family and get recipes delivered right to your inbox.

Join now!
15 no bake desserts

You May Also Like...

  • This is an overhead image of a bowl of vegetable soup. The soup bowl is on a white counter with a blue napkin at the top of the image. The soup has a red broth and chunky vegetables.
    Super Hearty Instant Pot Vegetable Soup (only 10-Min to Prep!)
  • Instant Pot Beef Stew
  • This is an overhead image of a white bowl filled with cauliflower soup. The soup is topped with some oil, garlic, and sage. The bowl sits on a white counter with some fresh sage. A silver antique spoon is in the soup bowl.
    Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

If you love this recipe it would mean SO MUCH to me if you give it a star rating and leave a comment about it. Not only do I love basking in the glory of your recipe love, but (perhaps more importantly 😋) it helps other readers find my recipes online. Thanks so much for your feedback!!

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. AvatarKatie says

    Posted on 1/7/21 at 6:45 pm

    So good! Made in the slow cooker (my instant pot still intimidates me!). Both my husband and I loved it. Will definitely be making again!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 1/9/21 at 12:06 pm

      Awesome!! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed! xo

      Reply
  2. AvatarMary says

    Posted on 1/10/21 at 7:07 am

    Hi! Do you know if this recipe can be made in the instant pot duo mini size? Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 1/10/21 at 7:32 pm

      I don’t know if the mini will be big enough. You may need to work in batches. Let me know how you make out!! xo

      Reply
  3. AvatarMarta Klemens says

    Posted on 1/10/21 at 2:17 pm

    For the sausages , do I just cut them up into bite size pieces ? I’m confused 🙂 thanks!

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 1/10/21 at 7:35 pm

      I buy my sausage already out of the casings, but if yours are in the outer casing, you want to cut it open and remove the meat from the casing. I hope you love it!! xo

      Reply
  4. AvatarJackie says

    Posted on 1/11/21 at 9:31 am

    Delicious! Made it the day you posted and my family hasn’t stopped asking for another batch since! Making it again tonight 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 1/11/21 at 4:14 pm

      Yay! I love that so much!! Sending you lots of love!! xo

      Reply
  5. AvatarCourtney says

    Posted on 1/17/21 at 9:22 am

    Can coconut milk replace heavy cream?

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 1/20/21 at 12:09 pm

      Yes that works! I hope you love it!! xo

      Reply
Newer Comments

Primary Sidebar

Lindsay

Hi Friend!

I'm Lindsay I love sharing simple, better-for-you recipes. When I'm not in the kitchen, you can find me at the beach watching my kids boogie board and soaking in that warm Cali sun (with sunscreen, of course).

Read more...

Recipe Key

GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free V Vegan VG Vegetarian EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free P Paleo Browse All

Most Popular

This is a horizontal image of a hand with deep pink nail polish holding a chocolate quinoa crisp in between their thumb and pointer finger. More chocolate quinoa crisps are blurred in the background.

5-Min Crunchy Chocolate Quinoa Crisps

overhead image of a muffin tin filled with 12 raw eggs sprinkled with pepper

Perfect Oven-Baked Eggs in a Muffin Tin

This is a side view of a chocolate almond butter bar with a bite taken out of it. The bar sits on a white piece of parchment paper and is sprinkled with salt. More bars are blurred in the background.

No Bake Almond Butter Bars

Lemon & Avocado Kale Salad

Freebie alert!

Get My Free No Bake Desserts eBook!

Explore

More Soups

This is an overhead image of a shallow bowl with pumpkin soup on a white counter. The soup is topped with sage leaves, pecans, and quinoa. A spoon is dipping into the soup to the left side of the bowl. Another bowl of soup is to the top left of the image.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup

This is an overhead image of a white crock filled with french onion soup. On top of the soup is a piece of French bread, melted cheese, and thyme. The crock sits on a white counter with an off-white tea towel to the left side of the image.
★★★★★

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

This is an overhead image of a white bowl filled with cauliflower soup. The soup is topped with some oil, garlic, and sage. The bowl sits on a white counter with some fresh sage. A silver antique spoon is in the soup bowl.
★★★★★

Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup

This is an overhead image of a bowl of vegetable soup. The soup bowl is on a white counter with a blue napkin at the top of the image. The soup has a red broth and chunky vegetables.
★★★★★

Super Hearty Instant Pot Vegetable Soup (only 10-Min to Prep!)

Browse All
15 No bake desserts

Download my FREE No Bake Dessert Ebook!

As seen on:

Food Network
Shape
Men's Health
NBC
Kitchn
Glamour
  • Browse by Diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Dairy Free
    • Vegan
    • Egg Free
    • Low Carb
    • Recipe Filter
  • Explore Resources
    • FAQ
    • My Baking Mixes
    • Cookbook
    • Shop Favorites
    • Web Stories
    • Meet Lindsay
Follow

@thetoastedpinenut

Accessibility

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Contact

© 2023 The Toasted Pine Nut
|
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Support by Foodie Digital
Back to Top
187 shares