Olive Garden Italian Sausage Soup

A wonderfully delicious soup created by the chefs at Olive Garden’s Culinary Institute of Tuscany.

Olive Garden Italian Sausage Soup is a flavorful and comforting soup that showcases the rich and savory taste of Italian sausage. This soup is known for its hearty ingredients and robust flavors that come together to create a satisfying and delicious dish. It is a popular choice on the Olive Garden menu and is loved by many for its warmth and comforting qualities.

The star ingredient of this soup is the sweet Italian sausage. The sausage adds a depth of flavor and a touch of spiciness that perfectly complements the other ingredients. As the sausage cooks, it releases its juices and infuses the soup with its delicious flavors, making every spoonful a delight.

In addition to the Italian sausage, the soup features a combination of vegetables and broth. Minced celery, garlic, and onion add aromatic undertones, while the addition of frozen Italian-style green beans, chopped zucchini, and shredded carrots provides a satisfying texture and vibrant colors to the soup. The vegetable broth serves as the base, enhancing the overall taste and providing a comforting backdrop for the other ingredients.

To add even more richness and creaminess to the soup, a combination of whole milk and heavy cream is added. This gives the soup a luscious and velvety texture that balances well with the savory flavors of the sausage and vegetables. It adds a luxurious touch to the dish, making it even more indulgent and satisfying.

To serve Olive Garden Italian Sausage Soup, you can garnish it with freshly grated Romano cheese. The cheese adds a salty and tangy note that enhances the flavors of the soup. It can be sprinkled on top just before serving, allowing it to melt slightly and become a delicious finishing touch.

Whether enjoyed as a comforting meal on a chilly day or as a flavorful soup any time of the year, Olive Garden Italian Sausage Soup is a crowd-pleasing choice. Its combination of Italian sausage, vegetables, and creamy broth creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will warm both the body and the soul.

SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound ground sweet Italian sausage
• 1 (10¾-ounce) can tomatoes
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup white rice
• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 (10-ounce) box thawed and drained chopped spinach
• Romano cheese, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cook the sausage in a soup pot over medium heat for 10–12 minutes. Break the meat up with a fork as it cooks.
2. Add the tomatoes, rice, broth, and black pepper. Bring the pot to a simmer.
3. Cook 12–15 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
4. Stir in the chopped spinach and let it simmer for a few minutes.
5. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with cheese.

VARIATIONS:

1. Vegetarian Version: Replace the ground sausage with plant-based sausage crumbles or use a combination of mushrooms and lentils for a meaty texture and flavor.
2. Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes to the soup for some extra heat and spice.
3. Tuscan Twist: Incorporate traditional Tuscan flavors by adding cannellini beans and diced tomatoes with Italian herbs to the soup.
4. Creamy Option: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk towards the end of cooking for a creamier and richer soup.
5. Greens Galore: Experiment with different greens such as kale, Swiss chard, or escarole instead of spinach for a variation in texture and taste.
6. Cheesy Delight: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese on top of the soup and broil it until melted and bubbly.
7. Tortellini Twist: Replace the rice with cheese or meat-filled tortellini for a heartier soup with added bursts of flavor.
8. Mediterranean Flavors: Enhance the soup with Mediterranean ingredients like Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese.