Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat) tastes just like the original, but it’s made super quick and easy with the help of your electric pressure cooker. Hearty, creamy & packed with flavor, it will quickly become your favorite instant pot soup recipe.
This Olive Garden copycat recipe for Zuppa Toscana is super simple to make with simple ingredients. Plus, for all of you with kiddos at home, I guarantee they will love it too!
Because this Zuppa Toscana is made in the Instant Pot, most of the process is hands off, leaving you free to go about your business while it cooks away.
Or, if you’re anything like me, you’ll use that time to also whip up some Olive Garden copycat Italian Margaritas and fried ravioli. You know? For the full experience…
Don’t have an Instant Pot? I’ve also included instructions for making Zuppa Toscana in the slow cooker or on the stove, below.
Ingredients Needed
- Italian Sausage – My favorite ingredient in so many recipes!
- Onion
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Chicken Broth – Or, you can use homemade instant pot bone broth.
- Kale (or Spinach)
- Heavy Cream – If you have extra, you can freeze it using this handy guide!
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
How to Make It
- Use the sauté mode and brown the sausage.
- Add onion & garlic, and saute.
- Add potatoes and chicken broth.
- Pressure cook on HIGH manual pressure for 5 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Add kale and stir until wilted.
- Stir in heavy cream and season.
Stovetop Directions
- Saute sausage, onions and garlic in a large pot. Add broth and potatoes, bring to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in kale and simmer until softened. Off heat, stir in the heavy cream and serve.
Slow Cooker Directions
- Saute sausage, onions and garlic in a skillet. Add to a slow cooker, along with broth and potatoes. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or low for 5-6 hours. Stir in kale and let cook on HIGH for 30 minutes. Sin the heavy cream and serve.
How to Make Low Carb Zuppa Toscana
- If you’d like to make this a keto Zuppa Toscana, you can swap out the potatoes for cauliflower florets. Use about 1 ½ pounds of cauliflower that has been cut into large florets.
Recipe Tips
- Love bacon? Add in a few strips of chopped up bacon when you are cooking up the sausage.
- Want to make this soup more mild? Swap out the HOT Italian sausage for MILD Italian sausage. I use link sausages, and remove the casings before cooking, but you can also use bulk ground Italian sausage.
- Want to lighten things up? Use chicken sausage or turkey sausage in place of the pork sausage. You can also swap in milk for the heavy cream.
- Want a creamier soup? Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes in the soup.
- Don’t like kale? You can also use a couple handfuls of baby spinach.
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut milk in place of the heavy cream.
How to Make Ahead & Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Or, freeze for up to three months. The potatoes will break up a bit in the freezer, but it will still be delicious.
Wine Pairings
- This soup pairs well with a rich, brightly acidic white like a Pinot Gris.
- A dry Riesling, with its hint of sweetness and rich acidity, is another great match for this creamy, slightly spicy soup.
More Copycat Recipes
- Bistro Boxes (Starbucks Copycat)
- Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat)
- PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Orange Julius Recipe
- Boston Market Meatloaf Copycat Recipe
- Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
More Instant Pot Soup Recipes
- The BEST Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
- Instant Pot French Onion Soup
- Instant Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Bean Soup with Pesto
- Instant Pot Weight Loss Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup
More → 25+ Classic Italian Soups
Did you try this Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana Soup?
If you loved this soup I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage (casing removed)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 large russet potatoes (cut into ½ inch cubes (about 1 ½ pounds))
- 6 cups bone broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 bunch fresh kale (stems removed and chopped)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half and half
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to SAUTE. Add olive oil.
- Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking sausage into smaller pieces until no longer pink, 5 minutes.
- Add onions and garlic, saute for 2 minutes. Hit CANCEL.
- Add potatoes and chicken broth.
- Place lid on pot and set to seal. Press MANUAL high pressure and cook for 5 minutes. It will take about 15 minutes for the pressure to build, then the countdown timer will begin.
- When time is up, let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure.
- Remove lid and add kale. Stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add cream and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can freeze this soup for up to three months. The potatoes will break up a bit in the freezer, but it will still be delicious.
Equipment
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2020. It was updated in 2023 to add new content. The recipe remains the same. Enjoy!
Just made this now for my lunch for the week, and it’s so tasty! I’ve never used the saute function before on my instant pot so I was a little hesitant. The directions were easy to follow and I’m eager to make this again soon!
I’m so happy you liked it Amelia!
My husband and I agree it tastes excellent! I use turkey Italian sausage from a local specialty store. Goofed and peeled the potatoes. Used the stovetop method. I will make it again. Another great recipe Erin. Thank you.
This soup is delicious!! I added bacon and it made it that much better! Will definitely try again! Thank you for posting this recipe!
You’re welcome Patty! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Looking forward to trying the recipe. I broke my instant pot lid, how can I make this on the stove?
Hi! Saute sausage, onions and garlic in a large pot. Add broth and potatoes, bring to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in kale and simmer until softened. Off heat, stir in the heavy cream and serve.
You can get a new lid from Instant Pot and save not buying the whole unit.
Do you think if I doubled this it would fit in my 6 qt instant pot?
I tried a Zuppa Toscana copycat recipe before (not using an Instant Pot), and it was good but not great. This recipe in the IP is GREAT! Thank you for the detailed recipes and videos. I used to be afraid of the IP but you’ve made it so easy.
Thank you JoAnne! I’m glad it was helpful!
Any words I would use to compliment this recipe don’t do it justice. My whole family loved it, and my 3 year old gave me a thumbs-up and a huge smile.
Also, kudos on your Instant Pot “come to pressure” timeline. Recipes typically say it will take 5, 10, or 15..and then it takes 45 minutes, and that is with me following the recipe to the letter. I exactly followed your recipe, and it came to pressure in 17 minutes
Thank you so much Charles – I’m glad you enjoyed it!
My family of six loved this soup. It’s better than Olive Garden and super budget friendly too! Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
You’re so welcome Natalie! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This version is excellent! Our local store didn’t have spicy Italian sausage so I had to buy mild and added a teaspoon of cayenne. Absolutely perfect!
I’m so glad you liked it Marianne. Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Can half & half be used in place of the heavy cream for this soup?
Hi Beth – It sure can!