Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
Darling, if comfort food and a sassy flair had a lovechild, it would look exactly like this Italian Sausage, Cauliflower, and Spinach Soup—creamy, cozy, and just smoky enough to keep you coming back for more!
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
There’s comfort food, and then there’s this creamy, veggie-packed masterpiece that hugs you from the inside out. Imagine spicy Italian sausage sizzling beside smoky bacon, onions and garlic sweated into a caramelized symphony, and cauliflower florets tender enough to melt on your tongue—all swimming in a luxuriously dreamy broth. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, a handful of bright green spinach wilts in at the last second, turning every spoonful into a vibrant, nutrient-packed delight.
What began as a rainy-weeknight rescue mission—those frantic moments when fridge staples meet the dreaded “What’s for dinner?” question—has morphed into a full-blown family favorite. One pot, ten minutes of prep, and you’ve got yourself a bowl that feels gourmet but is ridiculously simple. Bonus points: it’s low-carb, high-protein, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting without making you reach for the milk.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd, meal-prepping for the week, or simply craving that kind of hearty warmth that makes all the stress melt away, this soup has got you. So grab your favorite stockpot, dust off your briquettes (or fire up the stove), and get ready to stir up a little magic—one bowl at a time.
Our Keto Zuppa Toscana Recipe is not just soup. It is a meal, in itself! Zuppa Toscana has been a copycat recipe for many bloggers as it is a well-known Olive Garden soup. Tuscan soup has to feature sausage and spinach in a creamy chicken broth. Our Keto Zuppa Toscana Recipe does just that and most importantly, it tastes great! This one is a real hearty soup with a flavor everyone will love. Just, no breadsticks!
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
INGREDIENTS
Before we get saucy, let’s roll out the star ingredients:
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped into bite-size pieces
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought—the better the broth, the better the soup)
- 4 cups cauliflower florets (about half a medium head)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach
- (Optional) ½ to 1 teaspoon xanthan gum for thickening
And here’s how you turn those ingredients into perfection:
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
INSTRUCTIONS
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- Brown the Sausage
- Heat a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Crumble in the Italian sausage and sprinkle on the crushed red pepper flakes. Let it sizzle, then stir occasionally until the sausage is golden-brown and no pink remains—about 10–15 minutes. Drain the fat, remove the sausage, and set it aside. (Pro tip: Removing the sausage ensures the broth stays clear and not greasy.)
- Crisp the Bacon
In the same pot, add the chopped bacon. Cook until it’s delightfully crispy, rendering its fat and infusing the pan with smoky goodness—about 5–7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate, leaving the fat behind. - Sweat the Aromatics
Toss the diced onion and minced garlic into that glorious bacon fat. Stir frequently until the onions turn soft and translucent—about 5 minutes. Inhale deeply; this is what happy cooking smells like. - Build the Broth
Pour the chicken broth into the pot with the onion-garlic mixture. Crank up the heat to high and bring the broth to a spirited boil. - Cook the Cauliflower
Add the cauliflower florets to the boiling broth. Let them dance in the pot until they’re fork-tender, about 15 minutes. You want the florets to soften enough to scoop up easily but still hold their shape. - Finish with Cream & Sausage
Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the heavy cream and return the cooked sausage to the pot. Let everything heat through for 3–4 minutes, swirling gently so the cream melds with the broth. - Green Goodness & Bacon Finale
Add the fresh spinach and reserved bacon bits a couple of minutes before serving. Stir gently until the spinach just wilts—bright green and tender. - Optional Thickener
If you crave extra body in your broth, sprinkle in ½ to 1 teaspoon xanthan gum while whisking vigorously, or blend 1 cup of the hot soup and stir it back in. Simmer until it reaches your desired thickness. - Serve with Flair
Ladle into bowls, top with a shower of freshly grated Parmesan cheese if you like, and prepare for the parade of “Mmm!” around your dinner table.
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
Calorie Count
Let’s break down the calories per serving, assuming this recipe makes about six generous bowls:
Serving Size Calories per Serving 1 bowl (approx) 380 A luscious, comforting 380 calories for a bowl that’s loaded with protein, veggies, and indulgent cream? I’d say that’s a win!
- Brown the Sausage
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
Nutritional Facts
We believe in treating ourselves—but also in knowing what’s on our plates. Here’s the approximate macro breakdown per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 380 |
| Total Fat | 27 g |
| Saturated Fat | 12 g |
| Cholesterol | 100 mg |
| Sodium | 960 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Protein | 21 g |
This soup is low-carb, high-protein, and has enough healthy fats to keep you satisfied through your busiest days. Plus, those 3 grams of fiber from cauliflower and spinach? Bonus points for gut-happy greens.
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
Cooking Tips from Your Kitchen BFF
Want to make your soup legendary? Here are my tried-and-true secrets:
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- Room-Temp Meat Matters
Let your sausage sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking. It browns more evenly and stays juicier. - Quality Broth = Next-Level Flavor
If possible, use an all-natural, low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock. It forms the flavor base—don’t short-change it. - Don’t Overcook Your Greens
Add spinach at the very end so it remains vibrantly green and tender, not wilted into oblivion. - Xanthan Gum Hack
Sprinkle it slowly into the pot while whisking constantly. It thickens on contact, so start small—you can always add more. - Bacon Bliss
For extra smoky depth, use thick-cut applewood or hickory bacon. The richer flavor elevates the entire soup. - Blend for Creaminess
If you crave an ultra-silky texture, scoop out a cup of cooked cauliflower and broth, puree it, then stir it back into the pot. - Spice Control
Crushed red pepper adds a gentle kick—feel free to dial up or down based on your heat tolerance. For a fiery hoedown, double the red pepper flakes. - Batch & Freeze
This soup freezes beautifully. Let it cool, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight and reheat gently on the stove. - One-Pot Cleanup
Use a nonstick or well-seasoned Dutch oven to minimize sticking. A quick rinse and gentle scrub post-meal will keep it pristine.
- Room-Temp Meat Matters
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
Recipe Variations to Keep Things Fresh
Boredom in the kitchen? Not on our watch. Try these twists to make this soup uniquely yours:
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- Creamy Mushroom Swap
Replace half the cauliflower with sliced cremini mushrooms. The umami-rich fungi lend a woodsy depth to every spoonful. - Zucchini Ribbon Edition
Add thinly sliced zucchini ribbons along with cauliflower. The subtle sweetness and texture variation make it extra fun. - Sun-Dried Tomato Spark
Stir in ¼ cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes when you add the cream. The tangy sweetness balances the sausage’s spice. - Pesto Drizzle Delight
Finish each bowl with a swirl of basil pesto instead of Parmesan. Bright herb notes take center stage. - Keto Cheese Burst
Stir in ½ cup shredded Parmesan and ¼ cup shredded mozzarella at the end. The extra cheese heightens the richness and keeps carbs in check. - Asian Fusion Twist
Swap out spinach for a handful of baby bok choy, replace heavy cream with coconut milk, and drizzle each bowl with chili oil. Instant fusion magic. - Tuscan Veggie Overload
Add diced bell peppers, carrots, and celery in step 3. It becomes a rustic minestrone-sausage hybrid that’s garden-fresh. - Chorizo Chili Spin
Replace Italian sausage with ground chorizo and use beef broth. Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika. You’ll be transported to a Tex-Mex dream.
- Creamy Mushroom Swap
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
Soup can be so much more than a last-minute afterthought. It can be the shining star of your weeknight dinner table, the ultimate comfort hug after a long day, and the meal that convinces your guests you have culinary superpowers. With its perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and bright greens, this Italian Sausage, Cauliflower, and Spinach Soup proves that humble ingredients can come together to create something spectacular. Plus, you’ll have enough leftovers to fuel you through busy days—or to share with someone who
This one-pot Italian Sausage, Cauliflower, and Spinach Soup delivers all the cozy, hearty flavors you crave with minimal fuss. In just a few simple steps, you’ve created a bowlful of spicy sausage, tender cauliflower, and vibrant spinach swimming in a rich, savory broth—proof that comfort food doesn’t have to derail healthy eating.
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
Enjoy it fresh for dinner, pack it for satisfying lunches, or cool and freeze individual portions for instant weeknight meals. Feel free to swap in kale for spinach, turkey sausage for pork, or add a sprinkle of Parmesan and red-pepper flakes to dial up the flavor. No matter how you tweak it, this soup proves that nourishing, gourmet-feeling dishes can come together in under 30 minutes.
Serve it steaming hot alongside crusty bread or a simple green salad, and let every spoonful melt away your stresses. Your new favorite comfort food is ready—dig in! Tag us on Instagram or leave us a comment below. We love hearing from you!
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I CANNOT wait to try this! Looks delish!!
Looks so yummy. My family will love this meal!
I don’t usually make soups very often but this looks absolutely delicious! I’m excited to try this out, we don’t eat a lot of cauliflower and this will be an interesting way to add it in.
This looks delicious, once we cool down a bit I”ll definitley be making it!
I don’t do Keto, but this looks so yummy! I’ll definitely have to try it!
Thanks for this recipe! I’m excited to try it!
We sure enjoyed featuring your awesome post at Full Plate Thursday,496! Thanks so much for sharing it with us and you have a great week!
Miz Helen