This keto Zuppa Toscana is easy to make, low in carbs, gluten-free, and absolutely delicious.
It’s rich in Italian flavors with the perfect amount of heat and creaminess that everyone will enjoy. It’s the best Olive Garden copycat recipe!
This low carb soup features a creamy broth base, fresh kale, aromatic Italian spices, and pumpkin.
The star of the show in this Tuscan soup is the ground spicy Italian sausage, which adds satiating fat and flavor to this dish.
Keto Zuppa Toscana
Now, if you don’t know, Zuppa Toscana happens to be my favorite soup from that certain Italian chain with unlimited breadsticks. That’s right; we’re talking about a keto-friendly Olive Garden copycat here.
The original creamy soup and inspiration for this keto Zuppa Toscana recipe include creamy chicken broth, kale, Italian sausage, and potatoes.
The real twist is that my low carb version turned out better than the original! With tons of flavor, it’s the best way to enjoy a classic zuppa Toscana minus all the carbs!
Plus, at 4.9 grams of net carbs per serving, it’s a hearty soup that the entire family will love, even if they are not on a ketogenic diet.
Keto Copycat Zuppa Toscana
Although traditional zuppa Toscana soup is off limits while doing a keto diet because it uses potatoes, you can make an easy swap for the potato with cauliflower florets, butternut squash, or fresh pumpkin, as I did for this low-carb version.
This comforting soup is a great recipe you’ll want to add to your meal plan so that when the temperature drops, you can enjoy it on repeat.
How to Make Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
This keto Zuppa Toscana can be made in a few different ways: On the stovetop, slow cooker, and even instant pot. It’s extremely easy and quick to put together, whichever route you choose.
The Crockpot version is a great option when you have time to plan.
The stovetop version is straightforward and takes a bit longer than the Instant Pot but is quicker than the slow cooker.
Choosing which method to use is indeed a matter of preference and preparedness. There is no right or wrong way, but I prefer the stovetop method, and you’ll find instructions in the recipe for this method.
But don’t worry; I’ll also explain how to make it in a Crockpot or Instant Pot below.
Keto Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
Making a low-carb Zuppa Toscana in the slow cooker is super simple.
You simply need to brown the ground Italian sausage with half of the spices, onions, and garlic on medium-high in a skillet, then transfer to the crockpot.
Add in the chicken broth, pumpkin, remaining spices, and salt.
Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, then continue with the rest of your day. Resist the urge to daydream about your soup.
When you’re almost ready to serve, add in the kale and heavy cream, and allow to cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the kale has mostly cooked.
Easy Keto Zuppa Toscana Instant Pot
Making this keto Italian soup in a pressure cooker, such as an Instant Pot, is quick and straightforward as well. You really can’t go wrong with making this delicious soup.
You’ll start with browning the ground Italian sausage with half of the spices, onions, and garlic in either your Instant Pot if you have the sautee feature or in a skillet.
Then add the broth, pumpkin, and the other half of the spices and salt. Set to manual, high pressure, and cook for 6 minutes.
I recommend you opt for a natural release versus a quick release of the pressure when it comes to something with a lot of liquid.
Once all of the steam has left and the floating valve has dropped, open up the Instant Pot and add in your kale and heavy cream.
Let it for 5 minutes to allow the kale to cook down, and then serve.
You see, it’s really simple any way you cook it and, best of all, a yummy recipe that is well received.
What You’ll Need
The following are the ingredients and tools you’ll need. Note that the full printable recipe card and nutrition facts are at the bottom of the page.
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- 4-quart pot with lid or an Instant Pot, or a Crockpot
- Chicken stock or broth
- Ground Italian sausage
- Fresh pumpkin chunks
- Fresh kale chopped
- Heavy cream
- Thyme
- Italian seasoning
- Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
Is The Soup Freezer Friendly?
This soup is absolutely freezer-friendly. In fact, you can freeze this soup for up to 3 months without a problem.
I recommend you thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat the soup on the stovetop at medium-low heat.
Optional Ingredients And Substitutions
This keto version of Zuppa Toscana is great, as listed but if you want to change things up, you add some crispy bacon right before serving.
Although the classic recipe calls for kale, you could swap it out for fresh spinach if you prefer.
I love adding hot Italian sausage to this recipe, but you could use mild Italian sausage or even use ground chicken if you rather not have pork.
Although the soup calls heavy whipping cream, you could swap out the cream for coconut milk or even almond milk for a dairy-free option.
Keto Soups
If you’re a fan of soups, you should also check out our other low-carb, keto-friendly soups.
- Keto Chicken Taco Soup
- Keto Tomato Bacon Cheddar Soup
- Keto Cheeseburger Soup
- Keto Broccoli Cheese Slow Cooker Soup
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I sure hope you will give this Toscana Keto Zuppa recipe a try and will help us share it. If you give it a try, make sure you remember to tag us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
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Keto Zuppa Toscana (Gluten-Free)
This keto zuppa toscana is easy to make, low in carbs, gluten-free, and absolutely delicious. It features a creamy chicken broth base, kale, aromatic Italian spices, and pumpkin. The star of the show in this keto zuppa toscana is the ground Italian sausage which gives the satiating fat and flavor to this perfection.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of ground spicy Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 6 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1lb fresh pumpkin, chopped in 2" pieces
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup of Parmesaen cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot, add the ground sausage, half of the seasonings, minced garlic, and onion on medium-high heat.
- Cook until the sausage is browned and the onion is translucent.
- Next, add in the chicken broth, pumpkin, and remaining seasonings.
- Cook over medium-high for 20 to 30 minutes, until the pumpkin is tender.
- Add in the chopped kale and allow it to cook down for about 5 minutes.
- Lastly, stir in the heavy cream.
- Serve topped with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (optional). Enjoy!
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Slow Cooker Instructions
To make it in a slow cooker, you simply need to brown the ground Italian sausage with half of the spices, onions, and garlic on medium-high in a skillet, then transfer it to the crockpot. Add in the chicken broth, pumpkin, remaining spices, and salt.
Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours; when you’re almost ready to serve, add in the kale and heavy cream, and allow to cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the kale has mostly cooked.
Instant Pot Instructions
To make in an Instant Pot, or any pressure cooker, you’ll start with browning the ground Italian sausage with half of the spices, onions, and garlic in either your Instant Pot if you have the sautee feature or in a skillet. Then add in the broth, pumpkin, and the other half of the spices and salt. Set to manual, high pressure, and cook for 6 minutes.
I recommend you opt for a natural release versus a quick release of the pressure when it comes to something with a lot of liquid. Once all of the steam has left, and the floating valve has dropped, open up the Instant Pot and add in your kale and heavy cream. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow the kale to cook down and then serve.
Optional Ingredients And Substitutions
** Note you can also substitute the fresh pumpkin for butternut squash or raw cauliflower florets.
Although the classic recipe calls for kale, you could swap it out for fresh spinach if you prefer.
I love adding hot Italian sausage to this recipe, but you could use mild Italian sausage or ground chicken if you would rather not have pork.
Although the soup calls heavy whipping cream, you could swap out the cream for coconut milk or even almond milk for a dairy-free option.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 216Total Fat: 16.7gSaturated Fat: 6.4gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 810mgCarbohydrates: 6.6gNet Carbohydrates: 4.9gFiber: 1.7gSugar: 2.2gProtein: 10.4g
Linda Primmer
Sunday 17th of September 2023
Yumm, I have made a version similar to this and we loved it. I shall give it a try. I am happy to feature your Keto Zuppa Toscana soup at Love Your Creativity.
Joanne
Thursday 14th of September 2023
This looks so delicious!
Hilda Solares
Thursday 14th of September 2023
Enjoy Joanne!
Estelle Forrest
Wednesday 13th of September 2023
This is one of my favorite soups! I need to try this keto version. Thanks for sharing on SSPS, hope to see you again next week.
Mike Daniels
Tuesday 20th of July 2021
How much potato’s do I use? It’s not mentioned in receipe.
Hilda Solares
Wednesday 21st of July 2021
Hi Mike, since this is a keto-friendly version of Zuppa Toscana the classic potato was swapped for pumpkin. You could also use cauliflower instead.
shelli french
Tuesday 12th of May 2020
I use turnips roots for the potatoes.
Hilda Solares
Wednesday 13th of May 2020
Absolutely, Shelli, that's a great option too.