Ingredients:
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (or 2 cloves minced)
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth (this was 1 cardboard carton for me)
- 3 russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 cups baby spinach (almost a whole bag of spinach)
- 1 cup milk mixed with 1/2 stick of butter (to make a heavy cream subsitute)
- Pepper, to taste
- Optional: Bacon for topping soup
Directions:
- COOK Italian sausage in a skillet until browned, crumbling it as it cooks. I will say removing the casings was super easy, I slit the sausage at the top and just peeled it off. I didn’t even bother to drain the fat when it was done.
- HEAT olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
- ADD garlic and onion and cook until onions are translucent.
- ADD chicken broth and bring to boil.
- ADD potatoes and cook until tender, about 12 minutes.
- ADD sausage and spinach until spinach begins to wilt, about 2 minutes.
- STIR in milk + butter, heat about one minute and stir well.
- SEASON will pepper to taste. I didn’t add salt since chicken broth is usually high in sodium as it is.
- SERVE! Top with crumbled bacon if you’d like!
This is the milk + butter substitute:
Recipe adapted from Damn Delicious
Jerry Marquardt says
I used to work at Olive Garden during the 2000’s so I always wondered how they made it being just a waiter. Now I am going to replicate it, and have thanks going to you.
Heather Habib says
Yum – can’t wait to try this one! I’m from Vancouver Canada and the nearest Olive Garden is about an hour away and I love love this soup!
Linda Manns says
This looks so good. I love the food at Olive Garden. Thank you for sharing
Dorothy Boucher says
this looks like something I would and do cook, I don’t add beacon on top and I use bow noodles but mostly everything else seems right 🙂 yummy this is , love it on a cold day like today was a bit chilly 🙂 thanks for share
TrippyCusp93 says
Oh yum, this looks wonderful. Every time my husband and I go to Olive Garden I order this. I love putting bits of breadsticks in my Zuppa Toscana soup. Thanks for sharing your copycat recipe, I’ll be using it this Fall! 🙂
Laura P. says
This looks so yummy. This is my fiance’s favorite Olive Garden soup. I’d love to be able to make it at home. Thanks for the recipe.
Kathleen says
I’ve always loved getting this at the Olive Garden – great to know I can recreate it at home. Thanks for the recipe!
Cher says
No problem! It is super easy and yummy!
Cynthia L says
This soup looks delicious. Love the combination of italian sausage and spinach. I have never had it at Olive Garden, but I know my family would love it. I am stopping by from #SITSblogging!
Courtney says
OH GIRL. This looks amazing. Perfect time of year for a meal like that too! YUM. Love from SITS! xoxo
Cher says
It is super easy and my new favorite meal!
Christin Theiss says
This looks amazing!!!! YUM I can’t wait to try making it Thanks !
Cher says
No prob! Enjoy! It is my new favorite meal!
Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner says
I love soups this time of year and good job on the copycat version! #SITSBlogging
Crystal @TwoChicsAndABlog says
I have been looking for a recipe to use some Italian sausage in my freezer. I will have to try this one for sure!
Cher says
You won’t be disappointed!
Denise says
Mmmm, that looks good. I need more soup ideas for my winter dinner rotation! Pinned & following, from the SITSGirls.
Consie @ Atop Serenity Hill says
The recipe looks delish! I don’t think I have had that soup at Olive Garden! Will be pinning for future refernce! #SITSblogging
Cindy says
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it.
Cyndi says
Hi: I popped over from the SITS comment challenge. I have to say that this recipe looks like a must try for me. The pictures look delicious.
Cher says
It is seriously my new favorite!
Courtney @ What's Up with the Wilhelms says
This recipe looks so delicious! Thank you for sharing. I have pinned it for later. I am stopping by from the SITS Comment Love Tribe. Happy Monday!
Dawn says
I have made this with a few changes; kale instead of spinach, heavy cream instead of milk, and just plain ol’ JImmy Dean sausage and it always turns out fantastic! It’s the only soup my kids will eat and it’s soo good with some homemade bread sticks! 🙂
Stopping by from SITS…I enjoyed scrolling through your blog!
Dawn
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says
Yum looks delicious! #SITSBlogging
Dee says
Sounds like a great recipe! My picky eaters would probably even enjoy this soup–thanks for sharing! Dee 🙂
Clarissa Hooper says
This looks so good with just a simple list of ingredients! I will try soon, thanks!
Danielle says
I love Olive Garden, so LOVE simple copy-cat recipes! I wonder if this would work well with Kale instead of the Spinach…just because that’s what I currently have on hand. Thanks bunches for sharing, can’t wait to give it a try!
Damaris Mia // Le Magnifique Blog says
This is an interesting take on the Zuppa Toscana! I do something similar but use kale instead of spinach. Also, I always break off small pieces of the sausage and throw it in the pan. I might just put the whole sausage in next time (minus the casing) and chop it up with a wooden spoon while it cooks! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Cher says
That is exactly what I do with the sausage, whole package. I never tried Kale, I might have to try that next time. It is such a good soup!
Storm says
Oooh that sounds super delish! I’d skip the meat (vegetarian) and just bulk up on the veggies. Cant wait to see whats next!
Cher says
More veggies are good too!
Crystal says
Looks fantastic! Just pinned! Visiting from SITS comment challenge! 🙂
Cher says
Hope you like it!
Christine says
This looks delicious! I’m going to have to give this a try! I found your website from SitsGirls!
Cher says
Hope you like it, it is my new fave!
Christie says
I. Love. This. Soup! One of my all time faves. Now I can make it at home yum!
Cher says
It is seriously so easy and yummy! You won’t be disappointed!
Jodi Flaherty says
THANK YOU! this my favorite OG soup and I made it today! It was delicious!
Cher says
Glad you liked it! I made it yesterday, second weekend in a row we lived off it!
Sara G says
Actually, the real recipe uses Kale instead of spinach. I’m sure spinach works, but there is a texture and taste difference in using kale. I recommend putting it in right before you serve it and served with shredded parmesan cheese to optionally top is recommended as well.
Cher says
Ah Kale does sound better, I think Spinach is just easier (my Aldi carries Spinach but not Kale). To me I think it tastes the same but I’m sure frequent Olive Garden eaters would notice the difference. Cheese would be yummy as well!