Easy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pound spicy Italian ground sausage - use mild for kid-friendly
• ▢ 4 tablespoons butter
• ▢ ½ white onion - diced
• ▢ 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ▢ 6 cups chicken broth
• ▢ 2 cups water
• ▢ 4-5 yellow potatoes - cut into 1-inch pieces
• ▢ 3 teaspoons salt - or to taste
• ▢ 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 2 cups heavy cream
• ▢ 4 cups chopped kale
• ▢ chopped bacon or bacon bits and grated parmesan cheese for topping - optional

• In a large pot saute sausage 5-6 minutes until browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer sausage to a plate and set aside. 
• In the same pot, add butter and saute onions over medium heat until translucent. Add garlic and saute for another minute until fragrant. 
• Add chicken broth, water, potatoes, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Boil until potatoes are tender. Stir in kale, and heavy cream. Add sausage. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Serve garnished with grated parmesan cheese and/or bacon if desired.