What Is Zuppa Toscana?

Zuppa Toscana (meaning “Tuscan Soup” in Italian) is Olive Garden’s most beloved soup — and for many people, it’s the single reason they visit the restaurant. It’s a hearty, creamy soup made with spicy Italian sausage, thinly sliced russet potatoes, fresh kale, and a rich cream broth. The combination of spicy, creamy, and savory makes it incredibly addictive, and it’s been on the Olive Garden menu for decades.

It consistently ranks as the #1 most-ordered soup across all 900+ Olive Garden locations, beating out the Chicken & Gnocchi, Pasta e Fagioli, and Minestrone by a significant margin. On social media, it’s often cited as one of the top reasons to visit Olive Garden over any other casual dining chain.

Zuppa Toscana Price 2026

A single bowl of Zuppa Toscana at Olive Garden costs $8.79 as of February 2026. However, the best value by far is the unlimited lunch combo at $11.99, which lets you get unlimited Zuppa Toscana alongside unlimited salad and breadsticks, Monday through Friday from 11AM to 3PM.

If you’re dining in for dinner and ordering an entree, you also get unlimited soup as part of your meal — meaning you can have as much Zuppa Toscana as you want alongside dishes like Chicken Alfredo or Lasagna Classico.

Nutrition & Calories

One bowl of Zuppa Toscana contains approximately 300 calories:

• Calories: 300
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Carbs: 16g
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 1g

At 300 calories per bowl, Zuppa Toscana falls in the middle of Olive Garden’s soup range. The Minestrone is the lightest at 120 calories, while Chicken & Gnocchi is the heaviest at 350 calories. For the unlimited lunch combo, keep in mind that two bowls would be 600 calories plus salad and breadsticks.

Compared to Other Soups

• Zuppa Toscana: 300 cal — creamy, spicy, most popular
• Chicken & Gnocchi: 350 cal — thick, hearty, potato dumplings
• Pasta e Fagioli: 260 cal — tomato-based, high protein, filling
• Minestrone: 120 cal — lightest option, vegan-friendly

What Makes Zuppa Toscana So Good?

Several factors make this soup stand out:

• The sausage: Olive Garden uses spicy Italian sausage that gives the soup a gentle kick of heat. It’s browned before being added to the broth, which develops deeper flavor.
• The potatoes: Thinly sliced russet potatoes absorb the creamy broth and become silky and tender. They break down slightly as you eat, thickening the soup naturally.
• The kale: Fresh kale adds color, texture, and a slight bitterness that balances the richness of the cream. It wilts just enough to be tender while still having some body.
• The cream: A generous amount of heavy cream is stirred in at the end, creating that signature pale, creamy broth. It rounds out the spice from the sausage perfectly.

How to Make Zuppa Toscana at Home (Copycat Recipe)

Zuppa Toscana is one of the easiest Olive Garden recipes to recreate at home. The key is using quality Italian sausage and not skimping on the cream. Here’s a proven copycat recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage (ground or links with casings removed)
• 4 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
• 1 large bunch of kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 slices bacon, chopped (optional but recommended)
• Salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Remove and set aside.
2. If using bacon, cook it in the same pot until crispy. Remove and set aside.
3. In the remaining fat, sauté the diced onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4. Add chicken broth, water, and sliced potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 12-15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
5. Add the kale and cooked sausage (and bacon if using). Simmer 5 minutes until kale is wilted.
6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
7. Serve immediately with crusty bread or Olive Garden-style breadsticks.

Tips for the Best Copycat Version

• Use spicy, not mild sausage: The heat is essential to the authentic flavor
• Slice potatoes thin: They should be almost translucent — this helps them cook quickly and absorb the broth
• Add cream last: Stirring it in at the end prevents curdling and keeps the color creamy white
• Don’t over-cook the kale: It should be wilted but still slightly firm — overcooked kale turns mushy
• Bacon is optional but adds depth: Olive Garden’s version may not include bacon, but most copycat recipes agree it improves the flavor
• Make it ahead: This soup actually tastes better the next day after the flavors meld overnight

How to Order Zuppa Toscana at Olive Garden

You have several options for enjoying Zuppa Toscana at Olive Garden:

• Unlimited with lunch combo ($11.99): The best value — unlimited refills Monday-Friday 11AM-3PM
• Unlimited with dinner entree: Choose soup instead of salad with any dine-in entree
• Single bowl ($8.79): Available any time, dine-in or to-go
• To-go quart: Some locations sell soup by the quart — call ahead

Where to Get Zuppa Toscana Near You

Available at all Olive Garden locations for dine-in, to-go, or delivery. Most locations serve it daily, but it’s always smart to call and confirm. Find your nearest Olive Garden using our location finder tool with interactive map. For more soup details, see our guide to the unlimited soup, salad & breadsticks combo.