Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana, Salad and Bread sticks
Who doesn’t like the all you can eat soup, salad and bread sticks from the Olive Garden??
It’s such an easy place for lunch, and it’s always good!!
My niece and I used to go there quite a bit, and one time we tried the Zuppa Toscana
soup and it was so yummy!!
I had to figure out how to make it!
If you ever want to make something that you have had a restaurant, the site you need to check is copy kat recipes. Thank God for google, I found it and use it A LOT.
So, that is where this recipe came from, copykatrecipes.com It’s not mine, it’s not theirs,
it’s the Olive Garden’s.
But I am going to share this with you.
And then you need to pass it on… get it?
for other copy kat recipes click HERE
When you make this soup, you will be instantly hungry! From the moment the Italian sausage starts to brown with the red pepper flakes, to sauteing the onion, garlic and bacon, your tummy will begin to growl!
Fall has hit our area, and we are HUGE soup eaters. This rainy, cold and gloomy Monday just called for this body warming soup!
With the spiciness of the peppers and sausage to the creaminess of the broth, it’s a match made in heaven… or at least the Olive Garden!
*~*
Zuppa Toscana
INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1½ tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced white onion
4 Tbsp bacon pieces (I bought the REAL bacon pieces in the salad section, worked great and not as much grease)
2 tsp garlic puree
10 cups water
5 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 3 large potatoes (sliced with skins left on)
¼ of a bunch of kale chopped (I used my kitchen shears)
1.Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
2.In the same pan, sauté bacon, onions and garlic for approximately 15 mins. or until the onions are soft.
3.Mix together the chicken bouillon and water, then add it to the onions, bacon and garlic. Cook until boiling.
4.Add potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
5.Add heavy cream and cook until thoroughly heated.
6.Stir in the sausage.
7.Add kale just before serving.
Makes 6-8 Servings ( I always double it!!)
*~*
Olive Garden Salad Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoon corn syrup
2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoon Romano cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, or one clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 tablespoon lemon juice
sugar (optional)
Place all ingredients in a blender until well mixed. If this is a little too tart for your own personal taste, add a little extra sugar. You can enjoy your Olive Garden salad dressing for about 10 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
*~*
Olive Garden Salad
1 bag Dole American Blend Salad
4-5 slices red onion
4-6 black olives
2-4 pepperoncini (if you like a sweet pepper, you could use a banana pepper)
1/2 cup croutons
1 small tomato, quartered
freshly grated Romano cheese (Parmesan Cheese works well too!)
Chill one salad bowl in freezer for at least 30 minutes. Place bag of salad in bowl. Place on top of the lettuce the red onion, black olives, pepperoncinis, tomatoes, and croutons. Add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese if you like, and add plenty of Olive Garden Salad Dressing on top.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to know! Snap a picture, share the photo on social media with the hashtag #AnAffairFromTheHeart – I’d love to see what you made! – Michaela
Arielle Matlin says
January 16, 2014 at 3:30 pmThese recipes look great! I am an editor on AllFreeCopycatRecipes.com and would love to feature your recipe as a linkout to your blog. Check out our site and let us know if you would like to work with us! Have a great day and keep on cooking!
Michaela says
January 16, 2014 at 5:04 pmArielle, I would LOVE to! What is the best way to get in touch with you? Or you can email me at anaffairfromtheheart@gmail.com Thanks for browsing my site! Michaela
Aunt Bee says
September 4, 2014 at 8:53 pmMy favorite SOUP and my favorite SALAD all in one post!!! YUM!
Tanya says
December 15, 2014 at 9:11 pmI made the salad and it was very very good! Dressing is nice and tangy! YUMMO! Will make again.
Michaela Kenkel says
December 15, 2014 at 9:51 pmSo glad to hear that you enjoyed it!! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Rochelle says
January 21, 2019 at 12:18 amIs there a recipe here for the bread sticks?
Michaela Kenkel says
January 21, 2019 at 9:39 amRachel – I don’t have one for the bread sticks. I typically purchase the garlic breadsticks in the freezer section.