Instant Pot Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Instant Pot, Soup

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 12

Servings people

Calories 422kcal

3/4 pound ground spicy chicken sausage (you can also use mild, if you prefer)
4 strips bacon
1 yellow onion, diced
2 celery sticks, chopped
4 small gold potatoes (you can also use Russet potatoes. For low carb, substitute potatoes for cauliflower or turnips)
1 bunch kale, roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon garlic pepper
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
6 cups chicken broth (I used low sodium and it still came out delicious)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/3 cup basil pesto
Salt to taste
3/4 cup half and half or whole milk (you can also use heavy cream – I used half and half)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Turn on your Instant Pot and set to 'Saute' function. When ready, add ground chicken and onions and cook until browned. This will take approximately 4-6 minutes.
Add in the garlic, potatoes and celery and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Turn your Instant Pot off.
Add broth, basil pesto, lemon juice, garlic pepper, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt.
Turn your Instant Pot to 'Pressure Cook' or on Manual high and cook for 8 minutes.
When timer beeps, quick release pressure or 'Venting' to release steam fully.
Once the steam is fully released, remove the lip and stir in cream, Parmesan and kale. Continue to cook on warm or saute until the kale is soft or slightly wilted, about 5 minutes.
Top with optional bacon, if you prefer.
Serve and enjoy!!

If for some reason you do not have, or cannot locate ground chicken sausage, you can also use the chicken sausage that is already encased and finely chop.
You can also choose either spicy or mild chicken sausage. In my opinion, the spicy chicken sausage really makes this Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana soup come alive with flavor!
The bacon in this recipe is optional. I used the bacon as a topping when making this batch and it was just as flavorful.
As mentioned in the ingredients below, I also chose to use low-sodium chicken broth and it was delicious.

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