Easy Beef Zuppa Toscana: Creamy & Flavorful Soup

Why Make This Easy Beef Zuppa Toscana: Creamy & Flavorful Soup

If you’re looking for a comforting and hearty soup that warms your soul, look no further than Easy Beef Zuppa Toscana. This delightful dish combines seasoned beef, crispy bacon, and fresh kale in a creamy broth, making every spoonful a treat. It’s perfect for chilly evenings and is incredibly satisfying while maintaining a level of ease that makes it great for any home cook. The layers of flavor develop beautifully as the ingredients mingle, creating a meal that not only nourishes the body but also pleases the palate.

How to Make Easy Beef Zuppa Toscana: Creamy & Flavorful Soup

Making this delicious soup at home is a straightforward process that doesn’t require gourmet cooking skills. With just a bit of prep work and simmering time, you’ll have a rich and flavorful bowl of soup. Follow the step-by-step directions, and in no time, you’ll be serving up a dish that will have your family asking for seconds!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound mild or hot beef sausage, casings removed
• 6 slices thick-cut beef bacon, diced
• 4-5 medium Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (about 2 pounds), sliced
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4-5 cups fresh kale (1 large bunch), tough stems removed and chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup non-alcoholic white wine or white grape juice (optional, for depth)
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Directions:

1. Prep Meats & Vegetables: Dice the beef bacon. Remove casings from the beef sausage. Slice the potatoes and cover them with cold water to prevent browning. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the kale, removing tough stems.

2. Cook Beef Bacon: In a large pot, cook the diced beef bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving the delicious fat in the pot.

3. Brown Beef Sausage: Add the beef sausage to the pot and brown it while crumbling it, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and leave 1-2 tablespoons of fat in the pot.

4. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Sauté the diced onion until soft, around 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), and nutmeg; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

5. Simmer Soup Base: Pour in the chicken broth and white wine or grape juice, if using. Scrape the pot to deglaze. Add the drained potatoes, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Finish Creamy Soup: Reduce the heat to its lowest setting. Stir in the heavy cream, ensuring it doesn’t boil.

7. Add Meats & Kale: Return the cooked beef sausage and bacon to the pot. Add the chopped kale, stir, cover, and let sit until the kale wilts, about 3-5 minutes.

8. Season & Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed. Let rest for a few minutes. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (approximately 1 cup):

• Calories: 420
• Total Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Cholesterol: 85mg
• Sodium: 600mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 26g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 2g
• Protein: 15g

How to Serve Easy Beef Zuppa Toscana: Creamy & Flavorful Soup

This creamy soup serves excellently as a main course. Pair it with crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up the amazing broth. A fresh side salad can balance the richness and make it a complete meal. If you’re serving guests, consider presenting the soup in rustic bowls, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh black pepper for added flair.

How to Store Easy Beef Zuppa Toscana: Creamy & Flavorful Soup

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, warm gently on the stove over low heat to avoid curdling the cream. If the soup thickens in the fridge, adding a splash of broth or water while reheating will restore its creamy consistency.

Expert Tips for Perfect Easy Beef Zuppa Toscana: Creamy & Flavorful Soup

• Ingredient Substitutions: If you want a lighter version, you can substitute turkey sausage for beef sausage. For a vegetarian twist, use plant-based sausage and vegetable broth.
• Make Ahead: This soup can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Just be mindful of the kale, which can become too soft if left in the soup for too long.
• Adjusting Spice Levels: Feel free to omit the red pepper flakes or adjust the amount to your desired heat level.

Delicious Variations

• Add Different Greens: Spinach or Swiss chard can be substituted for kale, providing a different flavor while maintaining the nutritional benefits.
• Switch the Protein: Try using chicken or a mix of meats for a unique twist. Shredded rotisserie chicken works wonderfully for a quick alternative.
• Load It Up: Add extra vegetables like carrots or bell peppers for more nutrition and color.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I freeze this soup?
  Yes, this soup freezes well! Cool it completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. It can last up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

• Can I make it dairy-free?
  Absolutely! Substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or other dairy-free alternatives like almond milk or cashew cream.

• What can I serve with Beef Zuppa Toscana?
  Crusty bread, a side salad, or even breadsticks are excellent choices. Pairing it with something that can soak up the creamy soup makes for a complete meal.

Conclusion

Easy Beef Zuppa Toscana is a comforting and delicious soup that blends savory flavors with hearty textures. It’s an excellent option for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings with friends and family. The ease of preparation and the satisfying result make it a must-try for any soup lover. Grab your ingredients and whip up this delightful dish—you won’t regret it! Let us know how it turned out for you, or share your variations and tips in the comments!

Easy Beef Zuppa Toscana

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• Author: acheyakh-mohamed
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Carnivore

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Description

A comforting and hearty soup with seasoned beef, crispy bacon, and fresh kale in a creamy broth, perfect for chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound mild or hot beef sausage, casings removed
• 6 slices thick-cut beef bacon, diced
• 4–5 medium Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (about 2 pounds), sliced
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4–5 cups fresh kale (1 large bunch), tough stems removed and chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup non-alcoholic white wine or white grape juice (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. Dice the beef bacon and remove casings from the beef sausage. Slice the potatoes and cover them with cold water to prevent browning. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the kale.
2. In a large pot, cook the diced beef bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pot.
3. Add the beef sausage to the pot, brown it while crumbling it, about 5-7 minutes, and remove, leaving 1-2 tablespoons of fat in the pot.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and sauté the diced onion until soft, around 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and nutmeg; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and white wine or grape juice. Add the drained potatoes, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting, stir in the heavy cream, ensuring it doesn’t boil.
7. Return the cooked beef sausage and bacon to the pot, add the chopped kale, stir, cover, and let sit until the kale wilts, about 3-5 minutes.
8. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. This soup freezes well for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: soup, hearty, creamy, beef zuppa toscana, comfort food, Italian soup