Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana: The Best Olive Garden Copycat Recipe (Easy & Healthy!)

Prepare to fall in love with this Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana, a rich, creamy, and incredibly hearty Italian soup that tastes just like your favorite restaurant version – perhaps even better! It’s not only quick and easy to whip up in your Instant Pot, but also surprisingly healthy, making it a perfect weeknight meal or a cozy weekend treat. Forget long simmering times on the stove; with the magic of pressure cooking, you can achieve deep, complex flavors in a fraction of the time.

Close up of a bowl of Zuppa Toscana topped with parmesan cheese

If you’ve ever savored a bowl of Zuppa Toscana at Olive Garden, you know its comforting power. This iconic Italian stew, bursting with spicy sausage, tender potatoes, fresh kale, and aromatic garlic, has captured the hearts of many. My mission was to recreate that irresistible flavor at home, and this Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana recipe achieves exactly that, elevating it to new heights of homemade deliciousness and convenience. Using an Instant Pot isn’t just about speed; it’s about infusing every ingredient with incredible flavor, giving you the depth of a soup that’s simmered for hours, all done in just 45 minutes from start to finish. You absolutely have to try making this incredible Olive Garden copycat soup!

Why You’ll Adore This Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana Recipe

This Zuppa Toscana recipe is a constant in my kitchen, especially when the weather turns chilly. It’s the epitome of cozy, healthy, and vibrant comfort food. Here’s an even deeper dive into why I’m confident you’ll make it a staple too:

Unbeatable Speed & Simplicity. We all crave flavorful meals that don’t demand hours of our precious time. This Italian sausage soup is precisely that! From initial prep to serving, it’s ready in approximately 45 minutes, with the majority of that time spent in the Instant Pot, allowing you to multitask or simply relax. The steps are straightforward, easy to follow, and the one-pot nature minimizes cleanup, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
A Superior Olive Garden Copycat. This isn’t just a copycat; it’s an enhancement of the beloved Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana. It retains all the elements you cherish – the spicy sausage, the creamy broth, the earthy kale, and the satisfying potatoes – but amplifies them. The flavors are bolder, the fresh herbs and greens shine brighter, and the entire dish tastes remarkably fresher and heartier. You have control over the quality of ingredients, allowing for a truly gourmet experience that surpasses the restaurant version. If you’re an Olive Garden enthusiast, prepare for your new favorite Zuppa Toscana!
Surprisingly Healthy & Wholesome. Don’t let the indulgent taste fool you; this soup is incredibly good for you. It’s packed with nutrient-dense kale, offering a fantastic source of vitamins K, A, and C, along with fiber. By utilizing low-sodium chicken broth, you control the salt content, and you can even opt for leaner protein options like chicken or turkey sausage to further boost its health profile. It delivers immense satisfaction and comfort without the guilt.
Perfect for Any Occasion. Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner party, looking for a comforting family meal, or meal prepping for the week, this Zuppa Toscana fits the bill. Its robust flavors are universally appealing, and it scales well, making it easy to prepare for a crowd or just a few.
Deep Flavor in Record Time. The Instant Pot is a game-changer for soups, and Zuppa Toscana is no exception. Pressure cooking locks in moisture and infuses every ingredient with flavor more efficiently than stovetop simmering. The result is a soup that tastes like it’s been cooking all day, but is ready in under an hour.

Overhead view of the ingredients needed for Zuppa Toscana: a plate of Italian sausage, a bowl of kale, a bowl of minced onion, a pyrex of chicken broth, a bowl of garlic, three potatoes, a jug of olive oil, and a carton of cream

Essential Ingredients for Your Zuppa Toscana

Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards this delightful Italian sausage and potato soup. Below is everything you’ll need to create this rich and hearty dish. For precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card located at the bottom of this page.

Hot Italian Sausage: The star of the show! It brings a wonderful savory and spicy kick. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can easily substitute with sweet or mild Italian sausage. Ensure it’s good quality for the best taste.
Olive Oil: A staple in Italian cooking, used for sautéing the sausage and aromatics. Extra virgin olive oil will impart a richer flavor, but any good quality olive oil will work.
Onion: A medium yellow onion is typically best for its balanced sweetness when cooked, providing a foundational aromatic base for the soup. White or red onions can also be used in a pinch, though their flavor might be slightly different. Finely chopped onions will melt into the soup more seamlessly.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is crucial here, offering a pungent, fragrant depth that canned or jarred garlic simply can’t match. Zuppa Toscana is known for its garlicky goodness, so don’t be shy!
Dried Oregano: Essential for that authentic Italian flavor. For the most traditional taste, opt for Italian oregano over Mexican oregano, as they have distinct flavor profiles.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: The liquid base of our soup. Using low-sodium broth allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish, ensuring it’s seasoned perfectly to your taste. You can also use homemade chicken stock for an even richer flavor.
Russet Potatoes: These starchy potatoes are ideal for soups as they break down slightly, contributing to the creamy texture while still holding their shape. Peeled and diced, they absorb the flavors beautifully.
Fresh Kale: This vibrant green adds a healthy boost, a slight earthy bitterness, and beautiful color. Curly kale is common, but Lacinato (dinosaur) kale also works wonderfully. Remember to remove the tough stems before chopping. Spinach is a great alternative if kale isn’t your preference or available.
Heavy Cream: This is what gives Zuppa Toscana its signature velvety richness and creamy consistency. It’s added at the end to prevent curdling and maintain its luxurious texture.
Parmesan Cheese (Optional Garnish): A final flourish of freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, umami kick that perfectly complements the soup. While optional, it’s highly recommended for an authentic finish.

Effortlessly Crafting Your Delicious Zuppa Toscana

Get ready to create this healthy, hearty, and unbelievably rich stew in just about 45 minutes, thanks to the efficiency of your Instant Pot. Follow these simple steps for a truly comforting meal:

Initiate Sauté and Heat Oil. Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function. Once it reads “Hot” (or after a couple of minutes), add the olive oil to the inner pot. Allow it to heat slightly.
Brown the Sausage and Onion. Add the hot Italian sausage to the heated olive oil. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, break the sausage apart into crumbles. Immediately add the finely chopped onion. Sauté the sausage and onion together for approximately 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is thoroughly cooked through and beautifully browned, and the onions are softened and translucent. Achieving a good brown on the sausage is key to developing deep flavors.
Infuse with Garlic. Once the sausage is cooked, add the minced garlic to the Instant Pot. Continue to sauté for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
Introduce Broth, Spices, and Potatoes. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, add the dried oregano, and gently stir in the diced russet potatoes. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot with your spoon to loosen any browned bits from the sausage. This not only adds extra flavor but also helps prevent a “Burn” notice during pressure cooking.
Pressure Cook to Perfection. Secure the lid onto your Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing ring is properly in place and the vent is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) setting on High pressure and set the timer for 5 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the 5-minute cooking cycle begins.
Allow Natural Release, Then Quick Release. Once the 5-minute pressure cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes (NPR). After 10 minutes, carefully switch the vent to the “Venting” position for a quick release (QPR) to release any remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, you can safely open the lid.
Stir in Final Freshness. With the pressure released and the lid open, add the heavy cream and the chopped kale to the soup. Gently stir these ingredients into the hot broth.