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Home » Weeknight Meals

Healthy Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup

by lena

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HEALTHY KETO ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP

From stove to bowl in just 30 minutes, you’ll fall head over heels with my version of Healthy Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup. This copycat Olive Garden recipe has been transformed to include crispy bacon, roasted cauliflower, and juicy sausage.

JUMP TO RECIPE
HEALTHY KETO ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP with cauliflower, kale, and bacon

For the Best Keto Soup, Try This Healthy Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup

Ever since I started the Keto diet back in October, I have been trying to create recipes that are flavorful, easy, and creative. Through some trial and error, I’m happy to report that I’ve found great success! This copycat Healthy Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup is not only allergen and diet friendly, but possibly even tastier than the Olive Garden version. 

What is Zuppa Toscana?

Zuppa Toscana loosely translates to Tuscan soup. It’s traditionally loaded with all the good stuff, like potatoes, sausage, kale, cream, and bacon. Olive Garden made this dish famous by including their own version on their menus.

It’s rich, creamy, and irresistible. I took on the challenge of recreating this famous soup because it’s a dish that’s so widely enjoyed, but I felt it could benefit from a few healthy alternatives. Thus, my Healthy Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup was born.

A bowl of soup on a serving platter with a spoon, bacon, and chili flakes

What’s The Difference Between the original and keto recipes?

To align my Zuppa Toscana Soup with a keto and low-carb diet, I’ve swapped the potatoes in the original recipe for roasted cauliflower. Using this as a base instead of the potatoes means the soup will have significantly less calories, carbs, and higher levels of vitamin K and C. Plus, cauliflower has a similar texture to white potatoes, so you’re not missing out on any creaminess or flavor. If you’re a die-hard potato lover, I urge you to make the switch.

Paired with bacon, sausage, and plenty of veggies, the result is a soup that makes you feel much lighter by the time you slurp your last spoonful.

HEALTHY KETO ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP with bacon and red pepper flakes

How does this Healthy Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup come together so quickly?

Want to know the secret to saving a ton of time? Use pre-cut cauliflower florets and baby kale. With these already prepped, half the battle is already done for you!

As the cauliflower is roasting, you’ll prepare the rest of the ingredients: 

  1. Leave 6 of the bacon strips as in, and cut the other 4 into small strips. Fry up the bacon, then set aside on a plate with paper towel. Sauté the chopped onion and garlic in the leftover bacon grease and season.
  2. Add the pork or sausage and break apart with a spoon. Cook until the pieces are no longer raw, then add in chicken stock. Raise the heat slightly until it boils. Add the baby kale and allow it to cook for 1 minute.
  3. By this point, your cauliflower should be fragrant and roasted. Remove from the oven and add it to the soup along with the 4 pieces of cut bacon. Adjust seasoning to your taste.
  4. Serve hot with a slice or two of crispy bacon.
Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup served with bacon and chili flakes.

More Soup Recipes To Try

I have a bunch of soups that I would love for you to try! Check out these recipes:

  • Roasted Tomato Soup And Grilled Cheese
  • Celeriac, Fennel & Sweet Potato Soup
  • Potato Leek Chowder

If you make my HEALTHY KETO ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP, please be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram. Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

HEALTHY KETO ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP

Healthy Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup

5 from 22 votes
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Lena Gladstone
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From stove to bowl in just 30 minutes, you’ll fall head over heels with my version of Healthy Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup. This copycat Olive Garden recipe has been transformed to include crispy bacon, roasted cauliflower, and juicy sausage.

Ingredients

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

  • 4 cups cauliflower florets, cut into 1/2″ pieces
  • 2.5 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP

  • 1.25 lbs Ground pork or pork sausage
  • 64 oz (2 32 oz) low sodium chicken stock
  • 5 oz (1 box) baby kale
  • 12 oz (10 slices) bacon
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk for dairy free version
  • 1 medium sweet onion, finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 4 tsp sea salt, plus more to your taste if needed
  • top with red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

  • Preheat oven to 450ºF. Cut cauliflower into about 1/2" pieces. Toss with olive oil and sea salt. Roast for 20 minutes. Set aside once done.

ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP

  • While the cauliflower is roasting, cut 4 pieces of bacon into 1/2 inch strips. Reserve the other 6 for cooking whole.
  • Chop the onion into small 1/2 inch pieces, and peel and slice garlic thinly. 
  • In a large, heavy bottomed pot, cook the cut bacon pieces until crispy. Set aside on a paper towel lined plate. Leaving the bacon grease in the pot, add the onions and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Add a tablespoon of sea salt and all of the dried oregano.
  • Continue to add in pieces of the pork or break apart the raw pork sausage out of the casing (I just broke it down with the wooden spoon into smaller bite size pieces). Cook until no visible raw pieces are left. 
  • Pour in the chicken stock. Raise the heat slightly and bring it to a boil. Add in the remaining salt and the entire box of baby kale. Cook for one minute. Add in the cooked bacon, roasted cauliflower and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Turn off the heat, stir in the heavy cream and cook the 6 bacon strips in a frying pan until crispy. Serve the finished soup with one or two pieces of bacon per bowl. Top with red pepper flakes if you like a little spice.
Course: Dinner, Soup
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: 30 minute meal, copycat, dinner, easy, fast, healthy, keto, olive garden, soup

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Calories: 745kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 63g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 2756mg | Potassium: 1025mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2758IU | Vitamin C: 65mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 3mg

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Salmon Sushi Bowl
Oven-Baked Steelhead Trout
Easy Chicken Piccata
Potato Vareniki (Ukrainian Pierogi Recipe)

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Recipe Rating




Reviews
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Comments

  1. Kaila

    at

    5 stars
    This is one of the best homemade soups I have ever made! The only thing I changed was that I used spinach instead of kale (personal preference). My partner looked at me and said “this is restaurant quality soup!” I am still thinking about it next day and can’t wait to have leftovers for lunch.

    Reply
    • lena

      at

      Ohh I am so happy you loved this recipe. Thank you for sharing your review.

  2. K Dejan

    at

    5 stars
    So good!! Even my veggie hating hubby ate the Kale & cauliflower!!!
    Definitely putting this in the ‘soup recipe rotation’. Thanks Lena ?

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      Karin, I am so happy you love this soup. It’s one of my family favorites for sure. Happy cooking.

  3. INNA

    at

    5 stars
    JUST BOMB. So delicious! Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
  4. Elena

    at

    5 stars
    I typically don’t like making this soup because I think it’s fatty(heavy cream) . But I Absolutely love this recipe with replacing the potato’s for the cauliflower(makes it that much healthier) I don’t think my kids even noticed. ? . Win-win . Thanks Lena

    Reply
  5. Renata

    at

    ???

    Reply
  6. Laynie

    at

    5 stars
    I had some kale that came in my produce box, and I never eat kale! I had no idea what to make, but then remember seeing Lena post about her easy zuppa soup. I tried it out in my instant pot and added potatoes! It was so yummy and my whole family loved it! My 7 year old ate 4 bowls! ?

    Reply
  7. Lana Karcha

    at

    5 stars
    I’ve made this soup a couple times already and will continue to do so because it’s so simple and delicious:)

    Reply
  8. Ashley

    at

    5 stars
    So delicious and easy to make! I subbed with the roasted potatoes and the left overs are sooo good.

    Reply
  9. y.torba@yahoo.com

    at

    This is my go to soup! Zuppa is amazingly good! Best recipe for zuppa i have tried! Thank you!

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      That makes me so happy to hear that. We love this recipe too.

  10. Inesa

    at

    Lenochka, thanks for the recipe! This soup is delicious and easy to make. All family loved it <3

    Reply
  11. Viktoriya

    at

    I made this soup for the first time a couple of days ago and it turned out to be bomb.com! Tastes just like Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana, but such a better, healthier version! Will for sure be making it again!

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      That makes me so happy to hear that you loved the recipe. It’s one of my faces for sure. Thank you for sharing your review.

  12. Yuliya

    at

    5 stars
    I have made this zuppa from many recipes before but this one definitely superseded them all!!! So full of flavor and so easy to make. Huge thank you Lena for putting your heart into your dishes.

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      I am so happy to hear that Yulia. It’s one of my faves to make too.

  13. Angela Higgins

    at

    Such a delicious recipe! Everyone LOVES it! It’s one of the most requested dishes at our house. Thanks for sharing this, Lena!

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      That makes my heart so happy. Thank you for sharing that review. Happy family is a good thing when it comes ot food.

  14. Debbie Fratella

    at

    This soup was so quick and easy! The leftovers were fantastic as well!! I used a mix of kale and spinach and reduced the chicken stock to 48oz instead of the 64 oz that was called for. I made it for dinner twice in the the last two weeks. It is so delicious and satisfying on a cold fall evening!! Definitely in the menu rotation for the winter.

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      Ohh Debbie, that makes me so happy to hear and glad you did your own version of the recipe. I hope it becomes a staple in your home too.

  15. Jill Roberts @ Wellnessgeeky.com

    at

    Absolutely love your creative idea with Keto Zuppa Toscana soup! As you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely! Thx, Lena for sharing!

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      that is so great to hear. thank you so much. Glad you loved it.

  16. Vera S

    at

    This keto version got me hooked!! Never thought cauliflower would taste so delicious ?

    Reply
  17. Erika

    at

    5 stars
    Love this soup! I’m not a fan of cauliflower so I added potatoes instead.
    Still tasted soooo bomb!! Will be making again in the future.

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      So happy to hear that. Love that you made it your own. Happy cooking!

  18. Karen Constant

    at

    5 stars
    Love this soup! What are the macronutrients per serving?

    Reply
  19. Oksana

    at

    5 stars
    I love Zuppa Toscana and I’ve totally forgot about it since I started Keto 2 months ago. I can finally enjoy it again. With the cauliflower I didn’t even notice the potatoes being missing. From now on I’ll probably always use cauliflower instead of potatoes. I made this soup mostly for myself but big enough to share, like literally everyone in my family got seconds and thirds, it was that good. Thank you Lena for creating this amazing Keto soup, you are truly an amazing Chef.

    Reply
  20. Julia

    at

    5 stars
    I’ve been on the hunt for healthier versions of my favorite dishes and definitely scored by finding this recipe. You guys, this soup is so delicious, insanely easy to make and completely guilt-free! Thanks Lena for yet another fabulous recipe. ❤️

    Reply
  21. Katherine

    at

    5 stars
    Best zuppa I’ve ever had/made! The roasted cauliflower is so so good and gives so much texture and flavor in the soup! Never making it with potatoes again. Thank you Lena for the awesome recipe 🙂 hubby even loved it and he’s not big on soups.

    Reply
  22. Susan

    at

    5 stars
    This was SO good. I’m in love with the roasted cauliflower, it brings in so much more flavor than potatoes and it’s keto, which I love. Added some Parmesan at the end and a bit more cream 😉 This is def a new staple ???

    Reply
  23. Selena Van Klompenberg

    at

    5 stars
    Beyond AMAZING!! I was so excited for the leftovers. My kids loved it too! Adding it into our rotation!!

    Reply
  24. Natasha G

    at

    Love the addition of cauliflower instead of potatoes. So much healthier and the taste is good as well!

    Reply
  25. Julie

    at

    I’m too excited to try the cauliflower version.

    Reply
  26. Natalia Smetanin

    at

    Made it today! It was delicious and fast to make! I forgot to buy cauliflower so I used potatoes! First time making it and I’m in love!

    Reply
  27. Inessa

    at

    5 stars
    I used beef broth and spinach instead because that’s just what I had on hand & added additional Italian sausage. Turned amazing thank you!

    Reply

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Welcome, glad you’re here!

Hi, I’m Lena Gladstone, the recipe developer and food photographer behind Lena’s Kitchen. Here you will find approachable food recipes to share with the whole family. Keto friendly, weeknight dinners all made with fresh ingredients. Click here to learn more!

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