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This super simple Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana is the perfect cold-weather dinner…great for nights when I’m craving Italian, but want something warming too. Spicy Italian chicken sausage simmered in a creamy basil pesto broth with potatoes, kale, a little lemon, and even a little bacon. Finish each bowl off with a sprinkle of cheese and serve with crusty bread. It’s hearty, full of greens, and so delicious. Great for just about any night of the week. And the leftovers the next day make for the best lunch!
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This Italian soup is a recipe I’ve been wanting to create for a while now. I’m not sure what took me so long to test this out, but I’m so happy I finally did, because wow, this is hands down a new family favorite.
Technically this is soup, but it’s definitely hearty enough to serve for dinner on these cold November nights (it’s been snowing here since yesterday…and I could not be happier about it). But the best part? This is SO EASY.
I worked with my Instant Pot to create this creamy soup in just about 30 minutes. I’m sure you guys have noticed, but I’ve been loving my Instant Pot this fall. I’ve found it so useful during this insanely busy time with the launch of HBH Super Simple and all things holiday 2019. It’s really been a lifesaver and I’ve already remade this soup three times since returning home from Chicago last week.
The backstory…
As with a lot of recipes, this idea came from my brother. This time though? It was my oldest brother, Creighton.
He was telling me about one of his favorite soups that he used to get at the Olive Garden – Zuppa Toscana. I’d never heard of it, so of course, I did a little Googling and discovered that the recipe actually sounds quite delicious. A lot of times Creighton can throw some rather interesting recipes at me, but this soup was one I knew I needed to put my own spin on. It took me a while to finally create the recipe, but here it is, and I think you’ll find it’s delicious.
And yes, it’s inspired by the Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden…next up…their breadsticks.
The Details…
As you might guess, this recipe is pretty straightforward and simple.
Start with your Instant Pot on sauté and cook off the bacon. Then add in spicy Italian sausage (I always prefer to use chicken sausage, but pork sausage is great too). Next add in some onions, garlic, celery, and all the usuals.
The key to a good Zuppa Toscana is the spicy sausage and the potatoes. Once you add in the potatoes, stir in some basil pesto. This may not be traditional but it really adds so much to this hearty soup. I’ve found that both the addition of pesto and fresh lemon really lighten things up and truly enhance the Italian flavors.
At this point, simply seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure…just eight minutes. Then release the steam using the quick release.
Once the base has finished cooking, simply stir in some cream, parmesan, and kale.
And that’s it, just 30 minutes later you’ll have a creamy bowl of classic Italian soup. AND, you’ll have only used ONE pot and likely made very little mess. Oh, and be sure to have extra parmesan, fresh thyme, and crusty bread for serving. They really do complete the soup.
See, Super Simple yet so much flavor. This will be great for serving guests over the holidays, or just your family on a cold night. The leftovers reheat well and are delicious the following day for lunch or dinner. I haven’t had a chance to serve this to Creighton just yet, but I know that once he arrives on Friday he’ll be begging me for it. So yes, I will be making this yet again. No complaining here though…love this soup!
Looking for other warming HBH soups? Check out the soup section on HBH’s recipe page.
If you make this Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear 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 tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana.
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
- 3/4 pound ground spicy Italian chicken sausage
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 4 small yukon gold or russet potatoes peeled and chopped
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 bunch Tuscan or curly kale, roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan or asiago cheese
- fresh thyme, for serving, (optional)
Instructions
Instant Pot
- 1. Set Instant Pot to sauté. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon. Add the chicken sausage and onions, and brown all over, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, celery, and potatoes, and cook 2 minutes. Turn the Instant Pot off.2. To the instant pot, add the broth, pesto, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.3. Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release function. Set the Instant Pot to sauté. Stir in the kale, cream, and parmesan. Cook until the kale is wilted, about 10 minutes. Turn the Instant Pot off. Stir in the reserved bacon.4. Serve the soup topped with additional parmesan and fresh thyme, if desired.
Stove-Top
- 1. Cook the bacon in a large soup pot set over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon. Add the chicken sausage and onions, and brown all over, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, celery, and potatoes, and cook 2 minutes. Add the broth, pesto, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. 2. Stir in the kale, cream, and parmesan. Cook until the kale is wilted, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the reserved bacon. 3. Serve the soup topped with additional parmesan and fresh thyme, if desired.
Slow Cooker
- 1. Cook the bacon in a large soup pot set over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon. Add the chicken sausage and onions, and brown all over, about 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken sausage to the bowl of your crockpot. 2. To the crockpot, add the the garlic, celery, potatoes, broth, pesto, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5. 2. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the kale, cream, and parmesan. Turn the heat to high and cook until the kale is wilted. Stir in the reserved bacon. 4. Serve the soup topped with additional parmesan and fresh thyme, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
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Could I use spicy Italian pork sausage instead of chicken sausage for this ? Looks so delicious!
Hey Melissa,
Yes, that would work well! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
One of my favorite HBH recipes. It’s so delicious and easy to make!!
Thank you so much Danielle! I am really glad you enjoyed this recipe! xTieghan
I just made this tonight in the Instant Pot, it was EXCELLENT! I used spicy Italian pork sausage because that’s all I could find, and the soup was so flavorful. Perfect with a crusty roll on the side.
Thank you so much Kylee! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I found this recipe when I was looking for something to do with leftover kale. Boy, am I glad I didn’t feed the leftover greens to the chickens! This soup has become a weekly tradition. Next day leftovers are even better after all the flavors have had even longer to meld. The best thing is it gives my family the illusion that I’m a great cook, haha! As a matter of fact, all of your recipes I’ve tried so far have done just that! Thank you!!
Thank you so much Ellie! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
We had this last night and LOVED it. I’m about to have a baby and would like to freeze some for next month, if possible. Do you have any recommendations about that? Would it freeze well? Thanks!
Hey Lisa,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! I think this would be fine to freeze:) xTieghan
This is so good!! I modified a bit. Used vegan sausage, vegan pesto, no bacon and I didn’t add cream and it has so much flavor! Nutritional yeast for Parmesan. I’m newly plant based but I thought this recipe even with all the substitutions was just as good as normal soup ?
Thank you so much for trying this one, Hannah! I am really glad it turned out so well! xTieghan
Delicioso!, easy and quick, loved using the Instant Pot (first time!) Ready to try more of your fabulous recipes! Thanks for sharing ❣️
Thank you Emily! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
One of the best soups I’ve ever made…thank you for this great recipe!!!
Thank you Rae! xTieghan
I love this soup! Just curious if it will hold up in the freezer to reheat at a later date?
Hey Heather,
Thanks so much! Yes, totally fine to freeze:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan
The cook time is drastically off. This took more like 15 min of prep and 30 min of cook time for 45 min total. Just wanted to be clear for anyone trying to whip up an instant pot recipe after work.
Hi KC! I am sorry this took longer than expected. I hope you still enjoyed this! xTieghan
I’m currently feasting on this soup and couldn’t wait any longer to give my 5/5 on this recipe ! Thanks so much
Thank you!! I am so happy you enjoyed this! xTieghan
So Good! I’ve made this soup with a different recipe for years and decided to try this one. This one is so much better, easier, and flavorful!
Thank you so much Lea! xTieghan
How long does this soup last in the fridge?
Hey Clare,
I would say 3-4 days. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Delicious! I had to chop up some sausage links for this, worked great. We thought this was better than from a restaurant!
Wow that is so amazing to hear! Thank you Summer! xTieghan
I made this on the stovetop and it was a huge hit! I found the new favorite soup for the family. Thank you!
So happy to hear that, Linda! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan