Properly Easy Weeknight Zuppa Toscana OnePot Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

- Why This Easy Zuppa Toscana is Your New Weeknight Hero
- The Soul of Tuscany: Comfort Without Complexity
- Assembling Your Easy Zuppa Toscana Components
- Sourcing the Best Italian Sausage
- The One-Pot Method: Streamlining Your Cooking Process
- Building Layers of Deep Flavor
- Elevating Your Easy Zuppa Toscana Experience
- Storage Secrets and Nutritional Insights
- Proper Weeknight Victory: Why This Zuppa Toscana Is Your New Best Mate
- Ingredient Swaps: Making Your Easy Zuppa Toscana Your Own
- Achieving Silky Smoothness: Secrets to Perfect Broth Emufication
- Frequently Asked Questions
Properly Easy Weeknight Zuppa Toscana Onepot Ita

Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 964 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13.8 g |
| Fat | 13.9 g |
| Carbs | 40.4 g |
| Fiber | 16.8 g |
| Sodium | 556 mg |
Oh, hello there! Come on in, the kitchen’s warm, and I’ve got something seriously comforting on the hob today. Forget those miserable grey skies; we’re diving headfirst into a bowl of pure sunshine. I’m talking about my Easy Zuppa Toscana . You know the one.
It's that creamy, slightly spicy sausage and potato soup that just feels like a warm jumper on a cold day.
Why This Easy Zuppa Toscana is Your New Weeknight Hero
If you’ve ever eyed up that famous restaurant version and thought, "That looks like a weekend project," stop right there. That’s where I come in. I’ve hammered out all the fiddly bits so you can get that famous flavour in about 50 minutes flat. Honestly, if you can brown some meat, you can nail this.
It’s my go-to when I’m feeling knackered but fancy something that tastes like I’ve been cooking all day.
Decoding the Zuppa Toscana Craving
Why are we all obsessed with this Tuscan Soup? It’s the texture, isn’t it? It’s rich, but thanks to the kale, it still feels fresh. People often ask me, "Is Zuppa Toscana spicy?" Well, mine can be! It depends entirely on the sausage you buy.
If you go for hot Italian sausage, you get that lovely warming kick at the back of your throat. If you use mild, it’s just deeply savoury. It hits all the right notes, trust me.
Flavor Profile Spotlight: Spicy Sausage Meets Creamy Broth
The secret weapon here, besides the quality of the Italian sausage, is using proper, robust chicken broth. Don't skimp on it. That broth, combined with the richness of the heavy cream and the soft, earthy potatoes, creates a base that’s miles better than just stirring everything into water.
When that garlic hits the hot pan with the onions? That aroma alone is worth the effort. It smells like home, even if you aren't actually Italian.
Achieving Restaurant Taste in Under 45 Minutes
I remember the first time I tried making a Zuppa Toscana Copycat Recipe at home. It took forever, and the potatoes were either rock hard or sludge. The trick is the timing for those spuds. We want them tender, but not disintegrating before we add the cream.
We chop them fairly small about half an inch so they cook quickly in the broth. Another question I often get is, "Can you freeze Zuppa Toscana?" Yes, you absolutely can! Just try not to boil it after you add the cream when reheating, or it can split a tiny bit. It still tastes brilliant, though!
The Soul of Tuscany: Comfort Without Complexity
This isn't just soup; it's dinner sorted. Whether you’re looking for a simple Sausage Soup Recipe or a proper Easy Zuppa Toscana Recipe to impress someone without breaking a sweat, this is it.
Some folks try making this in the slow cooker ( Easy Zuppa Toscana Crock Pot ), which is fine, but you miss out on properly browning the base flavours. For a speedy version, nothing beats the stovetop.
When serving, I always insist on grating the Parmesan fresh over the top. That pre-grated stuff in the green shaker? Don't even go there with this Zuppa Toscana Soup . It just doesn't melt right.
Serve it with some thick, crusty bread the kind you need two hands to hold for mopping up every last bit of that gorgeous, creamy broth. Honestly, it’s proper grub.
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Right then, let’s get this glorious, hearty soup sorted. Zuppa Toscana it’s the sort of hug in a bowl you need when the weather outside is more "damp Tuesday in November" than "sunny Mediterranean holiday." We're going to make a version that’s genuinely simple enough for a mid-week supper but tastes like it took all day.
No fancy Italian lingo needed here, just good, honest cooking! This is your Easy Zuppa Toscana masterclass.
Assembling Your Easy Zuppa Toscana Components
We are making this Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup the proper, simple way. Forget those complex recipes; we want flavour, fast!
The Core Necessities: Meats, Greens, and Dairy
You need 1 pound (450g) of bulk Italian sausage. I usually go for mild, but if you like a bit of fire, grab the hot stuff it really warms you up nicely. This sausage is the backbone of our Zuppa Toscana Soup . Then, we have the greens. You’ll need 5 ounces (about 140g) of kale.
Make sure you strip those tough stems off; trust me, nobody wants a chewy bit of stem in their smooth soup. For the cream, we use 1 cup (240ml) of heavy cream. This gives it that lovely, luxurious texture, making it a proper Zuppa Toscana Copycat Recipe .
Selecting the Right Potatoes for Creaminess
Potatoes are key to thickening this broth naturally. Grab 1.5 pounds (680g) of Yukon Golds or Russets. The crucial bit here? Chop them uniformly into ½-inch cubes. If they are all different sizes, you’ll end up with some mushy bits and some hard chunks. That’s a rookie error I learned the hard way!
If you are making an Easy Zuppa Toscana Crock Pot version later, slightly smaller cubes are better.
Sourcing the Best Italian Sausage
Getting the sausage right sets the tone for this entire Sausage Soup Recipe .
Crucial Flavor Boosters: Garlic, Onion, and Stock
Don't skimp on the aromatics. We need one medium yellow onion and 4 cloves of garlic, minced finely. These go in right after the sausage is browned. For liquid, grab 6 cups (1.4 Litres) of low-sodium chicken broth using low sodium gives you control over the final saltiness, which is important when you add that salty Parmesan later.
A teaspoon of dried thyme is also essential for that classic Tuscan vibe.
Equipment Check: Do You Have the Right Pot?
You don't need a massive array of gear for this Easy Zuppa Toscana Recipe . Seriously, just get your biggest, heaviest soup pot or Dutch oven (about 5 6 quarts). The heavy base stops the bottom from scorching when you’re softening the onions and sausage.
A sturdy wooden spoon for breaking up the meat is all you really need besides your chopping board. Once everything is simmering, it’s pretty much hands off until serving time! This Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup is practically foolproof.
The One-Pot Method: Streamlining Your Cooking Process
Honestly, if you’re after an Easy Zuppa Toscana Recipe , keeping things in one pot is the name of the game. We’re aiming for that rich, layered taste without needing three different pans cluttering up the sink.
That’s the beauty of this Zuppa Toscana Soup —it’s genuinely straightforward. Think of this as your blueprint for a cracking mid-week meal when you can’t be bothered with a huge fuss.
Searing the Sausage for Maximum Impact
Right then, first thing’s first: flavour development. Grab your biggest, heaviest pot a Dutch oven is brilliant for this, if you have one. We’re starting hot, medium high heat. Chuck in the bulk Italian sausage. Now, this is important: you need to break it up as it cooks.
Keep bashing it with your spoon until it’s nicely browned all over. Don’t let it steam; we want colour! Once it’s done, and I mean properly browned, drain off almost all the fat. I leave maybe one tablespoon behind.
That little bit of residual fat is pure gold for sautéing the next ingredients. If you skip draining, your Sausage Soup Recipe will end up greasy, not rich. Lesson learned that the hard way, believe me!
Simmering Secrets: Cooking the Vegetables Perfectly
Once the sausage is browned and most of the fat is gone, knock the heat down to medium. Tip in your diced onion. Give that about five minutes until it looks soft and translucent no browning required on the onion, just tenderising.
Then hit it with the garlic, thyme, and those little red pepper flakes if you’re feeling bold. A minute there, stirring constantly, until you can really smell that lovely aroma hitting you. That’s your sensory checkpoint that the base is ready.
Next, add the cubed potatoes (aim for half inch consistency, or they cook unevenly!) and the chicken broth. Bring it up to a steady bubble, then cover it loosely and let it rumble away for about 15 to 20 minutes .
You’re looking for potatoes that yield easily when poked with a fork that’s the sign they’re done.
Building Layers of Deep Flavor
This stage is where the Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup really starts to sing. We’ve got the meaty depth and the soft potato base; now we introduce the creamy luxury and the green goodness. This is what separates a thin broth from a proper, comforting bowl of Tuscan Soup .
The Gentle Finish: Incorporating Cream and Kale
Once those potatoes are soft, it’s time for the dairy. Pour in that heavy cream. Give it a good stir. Now, a gentle warning: once the cream is in, don’t let the whole thing get back to a rolling boil. Just a gentle simmer to warm everything through.
Next, strip those woody stems off your kale they are tough and bitter, frankly and chop the leaves up roughly. Add the kale in batches. It looks like way too much kale at first, but trust me, it wilts down fast in the hot broth, usually within three to five minutes.
Keep stirring until it’s wilted but still bright green. This method makes a fantastic Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat Recipe .
Tasting and Adjusting: The Final Seasoning Check
This is the most crucial step before serving this Easy Zuppa Toscana Instant Pot (or stovetop!) masterpiece. Taste the broth! Is it bland? Add salt. Is it flat? A grind of black pepper helps wake it up. If you’re using low-sodium broth, you might need a fair bit of salt here.
Do this now, while it’s hot. Ladle it into bowls. If you want to make this even better than the restaurant version, serve it immediately with a massive blizzard of freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top. Leftovers are brilliant, by the way just reheat gently on the hob.
If you wanted to try the Easy Zuppa Toscana Crock Pot version next time, just brown the sausage first, then dump everything else in on low for 6 hours. Easy peasy!
Elevating Your Easy Zuppa Toscana Experience
Right then, we’ve got the basic Easy Zuppa Toscana Recipe sorted, which, let's be honest, is fantastic for a Tuesday night when you can’t be bothered with faffing about. But sometimes, you want that oomph , don't you?
You want it to taste like you spent hours lovingly stirring, even if you were glued to the telly half the time. That’s where a few simple tweaks come into play to truly nail that Tuscan Soup vibe.
My biggest tip, which I learned the hard way after making a watery batch once, is the sausage quality. Don't skimp here. If you can find decent quality bulk Italian sausage ideally spicy if you like a bit of fire it forms the foundation of your flavour. Remember to drain off that excess grease after browning, though!
Leaving too much oil floating on top makes the soup look sad, not rich. We want creamy, not greasy.
Fantastic Variations: Making it Vegetarian or Lighter
I know not everyone eats meat, or perhaps you’re trying to cut back mid-week. This Zuppa Toscana Soup adapts brilliantly. For a vegetarian take, ditch the sausage entirely.
Instead, sauté finely chopped mushrooms (cremini work a treat) until they release their moisture and brown nicely. Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika at the garlic stage to mimic that meaty depth. You could also swap the chicken broth for a good quality vegetable stock.
It won't be a traditional Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe copycat, but it will be lovely in its own right. If you want to make the main recipe lighter, just swap out half the heavy cream for low-fat milk or even evaporated milk, though I’ll warn you, it won't have the same luxurious mouthfeel.
Pairing Suggestions: Bread and Salad Complements
You simply cannot serve this without something to mop up the broth. I mean it. It’s practically illegal! Crusty bread is non-negotiable. Think sourdough; something with a good, tangy chew and a firm crust that holds up when you dunk it.
Failing that, a simple focaccia, maybe sprinkled with a little rosemary, is spot on. When it comes to salad, keep it sharp and palate cleansing. A simple arugula salad dressed with lemon juice, olive oil, and maybe a shaving of red onion cuts through the richness of the cream and sausage perfectly.
It stops the whole meal feeling too heavy.
Storage Secrets and Nutritional Insights
This Sausage Soup Recipe is almost better the next day, which is brilliant for busy people. Making a big batch of this Easy Zuppa Toscana means you’ve got lunch sorted without touching the dreaded sandwich baggie situation.
How Long Does Leftover Soup Last in the Fridge?
Stored correctly, your Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup will happily hang about in the fridge for a solid three to four days. Keep it in an airtight container, naturally. Make sure it has cooled down a bit before slamming the lid on.
When you reheat it, go gently on the hob over low heat, stirring occasionally. I find that the kale softens even further the next day, which I personally love. If you’re planning on freezing any (which you absolutely should if you make a double batch), freeze it before adding the cream.
Cream can sometimes split or change texture slightly when fully frozen and thawed. Add the cream when reheating the portion you plan to eat that day.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Now, let’s talk brass tacks. This is comfort food, so it’s not going to be kale and-cucumber juice, is it? Realistically, you’re looking at about 450 to 500 calories per generous serving, depending on how much cheese you sprinkle on top (and honestly, you should be liberal with that Parm!).
The protein count is decent, thanks to the sausage, which keeps you full right until dinner time. It’s a hearty meal, perfect for winter when you need something substantial to anchor you.
If you’re using the leanest sausage available and swapping the cream for half and-half, you can shave off a good 80 calories or so. This recipe proves you can make a Tuscan Soup that tastes decadent without needing a whole afternoon in the kitchen.
It's genuinely brilliant, that’s why it's my go-to Easy Zuppa Toscana Instant Pot adaptation too!
Proper Weeknight Victory: Why This Zuppa Toscana Is Your New Best Mate
Right then, let’s get this glorious, hearty soup sorted. Zuppa Toscana it’s the sort of hug in a bowl you need when the weather outside is more "damp Tuesday in November" than "sunny Mediterranean holiday." We're going to make a version that’s genuinely simple enough for a mid-week supper but tastes like it took all day.
No fancy Italian lingo needed here, just good, honest cooking!
If you’ve been intimidated by homemade soups, thinking they all require hours of simmering stocks and slow cooking meats, think again. This Easy Zuppa Toscana is the antithesis of fussy cooking.
It’s the kind of dish you can whip up after walking through the door, shedding your coat, and putting the kettle on. Seriously.
The Thirty Minute Marvel
The beauty of this particular Zuppa Toscana Soup lies entirely in the speed of its core ingredients. We aren't messing about with dried beans that need soaking overnight or tough cuts of meat that require slow braising.
We are relying on Italian sausage, which is already tender and intensely flavoured. As soon as that sausage browns in the pot, it releases all those lovely herbs and fats right into the base. That fat is where the flavour starts, mate.
My top tip here, which I learned the hard way early in my cooking career, is don't skip draining the excess grease . If you leave it all in, your lovely, creamy broth ends up looking like a swimming pool of oil. You want just enough left behind to sweat down your onions nicely.
Once the onions are soft and the garlic is fragrant (that smell alone is worth the effort, honestly), you add the potatoes and stock. Potatoes cook fast when they’re cubed small we’re talking half inch pieces. If you keep them small, they'll be tender in about 15 to 20 minutes.
That time frame is your green light for scrolling through Netflix recommendations or setting the table. This is why it lands squarely in the "weeknight winner" category. It’s much faster than ordering delivery, and frankly, tastes miles better than any Zuppa Toscana Copycat Recipe you’ll find relying on slow cook times.
No-Fuss Ingredient Swaps
When you’re racing the clock on a Wednesday, you can’t be caught short on specialist ingredients. This Easy Zuppa Toscana Recipe is incredibly forgiving.
The original Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe often gets cited, but honestly, who has time to recreate every single nuance after work?
We need that creaminess, right? That’s where the heavy cream comes in, which thickens the broth beautifully once stirred in near the end. If you're out of heavy cream, using whole milk or half and-half works well enough for an Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup , though I’ll be straight with you it won’t have that decadent, restaurant grade mouthfeel.
It’s a compromise, but sometimes compromises are necessary when life gets hectic.
Kale is another ingredient that often puts people off, but it’s so good for you, and it wilts down to nothing in the hot broth. If you can’t face chopping kale, use a bag of pre-washed spinach. Just toss it in right at the last second. See?
We're making this Sausage Soup Recipe as painless as possible.
Making It Adaptable: Beyond the Stovetop
While this is primarily a one-pot stovetop number, I know some of you lovely lot rely heavily on gadgets. If you’re batch cooking or had a terrible commute, this recipe adapts beautifully.
You can absolutely turn this into an Easy Zuppa Toscana Crock Pot meal. Just brown the sausage and sauté the aromatics on the hob (stovetop), then dump everything else except the cream and kale into the slow cooker. Let it run on low for six hours.
Stir the cream and kale in during the last 30 minutes. Perfect.
Even better, if you have an Instant Pot, you can speed up the potato cooking phase significantly, making this an Easy Zuppa Toscana Instant Pot dream. You brown the sausage, sauté the veg, add the stock and potatoes, then pressure cook for about 6 minutes, followed by a quick release.
It’s astonishingly fast.
The main thing to remember when making this Tuscan Soup on a busy night is this: flavour doesn't have to take hours. It just needs the right ingredients working together in the right order.
And this simple, satisfying Easy Zuppa Toscana delivers big flavour for minimal fuss. Chuck it together tonight, you won't regret it!
Ingredient Swaps: Making Your Easy Zuppa Toscana Your Own
Right then, let’s get this glorious, hearty soup sorted. Zuppa Toscana it’s the sort of hug in a bowl you need when the weather outside is more "damp Tuesday in November" than "sunny Mediterranean holiday." We're going to make a version that’s genuinely simple enough for a mid-week supper but tastes like it took all day.
No fancy Italian lingo needed here, just good, honest cooking!
This Easy Zuppa Toscana Recipe is brilliant because it’s flexible. Even the best Sausage Soup Recipe needs tweaking sometimes, depending on what’s lurking in your fridge or what’s on offer at the butcher's.
I’ve had loads of questions about swapping out the greens and the meat, so let’s dive into how to make this Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup truly yours without losing that Tuscan magic.
Kale vs. Spinach: The Leafy Showdown
The classic, restaurant style versions think of that famous Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe —almost always rely on kale. Why kale? Well, it brings a certain texture and a slightly bitter note that cuts through the richness of the cream and sausage beautifully.
When you cook kale down in a broth, it softens but still retains a bit of chew. It’s robust, see?
However, if you’re staring at a pile of spinach in the fridge, or perhaps you just don’t fancy wrestling with kale stems, spinach is a perfectly fine stand-in. When you swap to spinach, remember this: Spinach cooks down incredibly fast.
If you’re aiming for the texture of the classic, use Lacinato kale (often called dinosaur or Tuscan kale). It’s flatter and slightly less tough than curly kale. If you use spinach, only add it right at the very end literally the last minute before serving.
You want it wilted, not dissolved into green sludge. I learned this the hard way making my first batch; I ended up with virtually no green texture left! For this Easy Zuppa Toscana , feel free to use spinach, but treat it gently.
Choosing Your Sausage Star
The Italian sausage is the backbone of this entire dish; it flavours the fat we use to sauté the onions and garlic, which sets the tone for the whole Tuscan Soup . You usually have three main choices here, depending on your mood:
1. Mild Italian Sausage (The Safe Bet): This is my usual go-to for a family meal. It gives you that lovely, herbaceous, fennel laced pork flavour without blowing your head off with heat. It lets the cream and potatoes shine.
2. Hot Italian Sausage (The Kick): If you like things spicy, go hot. This sausage has crushed red pepper mixed in. It gives the entire broth a fantastic, lingering warmth.
If you use hot sausage, you can probably skip adding those extra ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes I mention in the main Easy Zuppa Toscana Recipe outline. Less faff!
3. Smoked Sausage (The Shortcut): This is where creativity comes into play. If you’re making the Easy Zuppa Toscana Crock Pot version or need a speedier meal, using pre-cooked smoked sausage (like Kielbasa or even a smoked andouille) is brilliant.
You just slice it up and brown it quickly. It won't render as much fat as fresh Italian sausage, so you might need to add a splash of olive oil at the start. Just know the flavour profile shifts; it tastes less like a traditional Zuppa Toscana Soup and more like a hearty farmer’s stew, but trust me, it’s still cracking good.
Ultimately, the core idea of this Easy Zuppa Toscana is comfort, not dogma. Use the sausage that makes your mouth water. Just drain the excess grease, regardless of what you choose, unless you're making the very indulgent Zuppa Toscana Copycat Recipe where fat equals flavour!
Remember, good ingredients make for an Easy Zuppa Toscana every time.
Achieving Silky Smoothness: Secrets to Perfect Broth Emufication
Right then, we’ve browning the sausage, we’ve got those lovely aromatics sweating away, and now we’re adding liquid. This is where some folks get a bit twitchy, especially if they’re aiming for that rich, velvety texture that makes a proper Zuppa Toscana Soup sing.
We want that gorgeous, slightly thickened broth, not just thin stock with bits floating in it. This is the key to making your Easy Zuppa Toscana taste like you actually spent hours tending to it.
The Importance of the Fat Base
Before you pour in all that lovely chicken stock, we need to talk about fat. When we brown the sausage in step one, we leave a little bit of oil behind that’s liquid gold! This fat holds flavour, and critically, it helps create what chefs call an emuon.
Simply put, we need the fat droplets suspended evenly in the water based broth. If you drain all the fat away, your final soup will be watery.
My personal learning curve with this Sausage Soup Recipe was forgetting this bit. My first few attempts tasted great, but the broth felt thin, like skimmed milk. Now? I leave about a tablespoon of the rendered fat in the pot after browning the meat.
This residue mixes with the starch from the potatoes as they cook down, creating a natural thickener. It’s brilliant, simple chemistry in action.
Cream vs. Simmering: Timing is Everything
Once the potatoes are tender and I mean truly fork tender, about 15 to 20 minutes in it’s time for the heavy cream. This is a moment where patience is a virtue, especially if you’re making this Easy Zuppa Toscana Recipe on the hob.
Here’s the critical bit: Once the heavy cream goes in, you must turn the heat right down. We are talking low, barely a gentle bubble. If you let that cream boil vigorously, it can sometimes split or curdle, ruining that beautiful, smooth mouthfeel we’re after.
We are just heating it through gently so it incorporates smoothly into the broth. Don’t rush this! This is also the time to season aggressively with salt and pepper, as the cream will slightly mellow the existing flavours.
Starch Release: Your Natural Thickener
If you’re comparing this to an Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe copycat, you might wonder how they get theirs so thick without flour. The answer, often, is starch. As those beautiful Yukon Gold potatoes break down slightly during simmering, they release starch into the broth.
If you find your broth is still a bit too thin after the kale has wilted, here’s a little trick. Take about half a cup of the hot broth out into a mug. Mash a few of the soft potato pieces against the side of the pot until they make a paste. Then, stir the reserved hot broth back in slowly.
This ‘slurry’ helps bind the liquid beautifully. It’s a foolproof method for any hearty stew or Tuscan Soup .
Whether you’re planning to perfect this on the stovetop or perhaps try an Easy Zuppa Toscana Instant Pot version later, remembering the role of the residual fat and the starch is what moves this from decent homemade soup to truly fantastic Easy Zuppa Toscana Soup .
Trust me, nailing this emuon transforms the whole experience!
If you're craving more ideas, explore Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe Pure Autumn Comfort Fast , Easy Fluffy Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe The Ultimate RollsRoyce Side Dish and Easy Doritos Taco Salad Recipe The Ultimate Potluck Crunch No Soggy Bits .
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this Easy Zuppa Toscana milder if I don't like spicy food?
Absolutely! The heat usually comes from using hot Italian sausage or adding extra red pepper flakes. Simply use mild Italian sausage, and omit the ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes mentioned in the recipe. You'll still get loads of flavour from the fennel in the sausage!
My potatoes didn't get soft in time what did I do wrong?
Usually, this comes down to the size of your dice. If the potatoes are cut unevenly or too large (aim for ½ inch cubes), they won’t cook through. Ensure they are simmering gently, not boiling violently, after adding the broth, and check them with a fork around the 20-minute mark.
How long does leftover Easy Zuppa Toscana keep in the fridge?
This soup is actually fantastic the next day, as the flavours really meld together! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Just remember to reheat it gently on the hob, as boiling after the cream is added can sometimes cause slight splitting.
Can I use something other than kale in this soup? I’m struggling to find any!
No bother at all, there are great swaps available! If you can’t get kale, use Swiss chard with the woody stems removed, or even a bag of baby spinach. Add spinach right at the very end, though, as it wilts almost instantly compared to heartier greens.
My soup tastes a bit thin. How can I make the broth richer and creamier without ruining it?
To enhance the richness, you have a couple of options. First, mash about a cup of the cooked potatoes against the side of the pot before adding the cream; this releases starch and naturally thickens the broth. Secondly, ensure you're using full fat heavy cream, not milk or half and-half for the best texture.