Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden

[Abbybob]

I freaking love this stuff, however "all you can eat" for me is about 3 bowls. And my pregnant palate doesn't really like salad, so the all you can eat soup, salad and bread sticks is really not worth it. (it's $7.95 here- I checked the other day, when I was really jonesing for some)

So, the other day I turned to google for a recipe. I made it yesterday and we had it yesterday for lunch, tonight for dinner and I just popped the last 8 cups into the freezer for dinner next week.

I used the recipe here: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana: Tuscan Soup Recipe made at the restaurant

However:
I used Spicy Turkey sausage (italian), garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.
Re-hydrated dehyrdated onion (just pour them into a bowl and pour boiling water over them, when they "puff" up, use them like regular chopped onions).
I used a can of evaporated milk instead of cream- it's better for you and it's what we had.
I just used the potatoes we had in the house, I don't know if they are Russets or not.
Spinach instead of Kale- Kale has a weird texture that ooks me out.
Swanson's low sodium broth instead of buillion cubes and water (it's what we had) + 2 extra cans of water.
I used 2 pepper flake packets left over from when we had ordered pizza last month (those little condiment packages DO come in handy).

It's pretty spicy, especially when it sits overnight, so if you like it less spicy, skip the peppers and use regular Italian Sausage.

I calculated costs and the whole pot of soup (about 12 servings- I used extra sausage and potatoes and a little extra liquid than what the original recipe calls for) and it was approx. $8.00 for the whole pot. Not bad for 3-4 meals.

If you love this soup too, I totally recommend this recipe. My mom uses the recipe exactly as it's printed and it's pretty good (but I like mine better!)

[rbunnymom]

Thanks! I will have to make some.

[Jen1]

I too love, love love this soup! My dh just started making it at home too - we use bob evans breakfast sausage in ours - not spicy at all.

[Donnaquilt]

Sounds great! I'm going to try it your way as it sounds much healthier!