Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
This keto zuppa toscana soup is a hearty, comforting dish that’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor—all while being low-carb and keto-friendly!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1/2 medium onion diced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 6 slices beef bacon cut into pieces
- 8 cups chicken broth we recommend Better Than Bouillon chicken base; beef bone broth is another keto-friendly option for added richness
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 cups spinach coarsely chopped
Optional:
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon xanthan gum for thickening
Instructions
Brown the sausage and onion
- In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, diced onion, and crushed red pepper until the sausage is browned and no longer pink.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Drain the mixture, remove it from the pan, and set it aside.
Cook the beef bacon
- In the same pot, cook the bacon pieces over medium heat until they’re crispy and golden. Once cooked, remove the beef bacon and set it aside.
Simmer the cauliflower
- Pour the chicken broth into the pot and bring it to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and let them cook for about 15 minutes, or until tender. If you prefer a creamier texture, use a spoon to mash some of the cauliflower directly in the pot.
Combine and simmer
- Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream, along with the cooked sausage and onion mixture. Let everything heat through, stirring occasionally.
Add the finishing touches
- A few minutes before serving, stir in the chopped spinach and crispy bacon. If you’d like a thicker soup, sprinkle xanthan gum over the surface and quickly whisk it in to combine. Let the soup simmer gently until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve and enjoy
- Ladle the soup into bowls and, if desired, top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy this comforting bowl of keto-friendly goodness!
Notes
Simply Nourished Life’s Cooking Tips
For extra flavor: Use a mix of hot and sweet Italian sausage, or add more crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.
Make it dairy-free: Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and skip the Parmesan topping.
Customize the veggies: Swap spinach for kale or Swiss chard for a different twist.
Variations, Leftovers & Storage
This keto zuppa toscana soup is perfect for customizing to suit your needs:
Ingredient swaps: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of Italian sausage for a lighter version.
For leftovers: Store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Freezing: This soup freezes well! Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition Facts
We love that this soup is not only flavorful but also packed with nutrients. Here’s the approximate breakdown per serving:
Calories: 307
Protein: 10g
Fat: 28g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 1g
Cholesterol: 70mg
Sodium: 451mg
Potassium: 369mg,
Sugar: 2g
Vitamin A: 1791IU
Vitamin C: 25mg
Calcium: 49mg
Iron: 1mg
These numbers may vary slightly based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, but this recipe is a great example of how you can enjoy hearty, satisfying meals while staying on track with a keto lifestyle.