An easy, low carb version of flavorful, creamy Tuscan soup. This version of zuppa toscana tastes a lot like the version served at Olive Garden.
After an unusually warm week, this week it’s back to chilly temperatures, so I’ve been craving soup. And after a weekend of overindulging on carbs, I wanted something low carb. So I made a low carb version of one of my favorite soups.
It’s been many years since I’ve eaten at Olive Garden, but I still remember having my first taste of zuppa toscana there. It’s remained a favorite in my house and I love how easy it is to prepare.
Low Carb Substitutes
- Most of the soup ingredients are already low carb. The only big change is having to replace the potatoes. I substituted the potatoes with cubes of cauliflower. Not only are they similar in appearance, but the cauliflower also absorbs the flavors of the soup, much like potatoes.
- Instead of serving the soup with toasted bread, I recommend serving it with my easy low carb biscuits or keto garlic breadsticks. The biscuits are super easy to make, but if you want a true soup and breadsticks experience like at Olive Garden, then the garlic breadsticks are a great low carb breadstick substitute.
Ingredients
- Italian Sausage
- Onion
- Chicken Broth
- Cauliflower
- Salt
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Cauliflower
- Heavy Cream
- Kale
Low Carb Zuppa Toscana
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb ground Italian pork sausage
- 1/2 small onion finely diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cubed cauliflower
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- salt to taste
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups chopped kale
Instructions
- Bring a large soup pot to medium heat. Cook and crumble sausage in pot until it is fully cooked. Remove sausage and set aside. Drain out oil but leave behind about 1 tbsp. Add in diced onions and cook until soft and translucent.
- Add in broth and bring soup to a simmer. Add in cauliflower and sausage and cook until cauliflower is soft. Add in red pepper flakes and season with salt. Add in heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Add in kale and cook until kale is just tender. Remove soup from heat. Serve soup while still warm.
Notes
- I like serving my soup with low carb biscuits or keto garlic breadsticks.
- If you are looking to reduce calories, you can substitute pork sausage with turkey or chicken sausage.
- If you would like to make the soup creamier, you can add a little more heavy cream.
- If you prefer a less spicy soup, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes added and use a mild Italian sausage.
- If you don't like kale, you can substitute with spinach.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Hi, what do you consider a serving? Is it 1 cup? 2 cups? I’m always confused in that regard about lots of recipes. Thanks.
the full recipe makes 8 servings, as stated in the recipe box.