Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup) Recipe

Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup) is creamy, hearty, and bursting with comfort—think savory Italian sausage, smoky bacon, pillowy potatoes, and green kale wrapped up in a luscious broth. All those warming flavors you crave are right here, and the Instant Pot makes it perfect for any night of the week—no extra waiting, just extra coziness.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup) magical is how simple, everyday ingredients layer together into something so much greater than the sum of its parts. Don’t skip any of these—they each bring their own magic: richness, savor, color, texture!

• Thick Cut Smoky Bacon: Adds smoky depth and just the right hit of saltiness—plus, it gives the soup a little “something extra” your tastebuds will love.
• Ground Hot Italian Sausage: Provides spicy, robust flavor—using a mix of hot and mild sausages balances the heat and keeps it crowd-friendly.
• Large Onion: Sweet and mellow when cooked, onion forms the aromatic base for the entire soup.
• Dried Oregano: This simple herb lifts the whole dish with its earthy, classic Italian notes.
• Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic infuses the broth with that irresistible, warm flavor.
• Potatoes: They break down just enough to thicken the broth while remaining tender and satisfying—russet or Yukon Golds both work.
• Chicken Broth (low sodium): Offers a savory, gentle base to let all the flavors shine without overwhelming them.
• Kale: Adds lovely color, hearty texture, and a touch of nutrition. Simply remove the tough stem and chop for bite-sized greens.
• Heavy Cream (or milk, half-and-half): Swirled in at the end for that signature creamy finish—pick your richness level!
• Optional Substitute – Spinach: If you’re not a kale fan, baby spinach or thawed frozen chopped spinach works perfectly and wilts in quickly.

Variations

The beauty of Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup) is just how forgiving and customizable it can be. Whether you’re adapting for allergies, using up veggies, or catering to everyone’s spice tolerance, it’s easy to mix things up and make it your own!

• Swap in Spinach: Use fresh baby spinach or thawed frozen spinach instead of kale for a more tender, milder green (great for picky eaters!).
• Make It Dairy-Free: Substitute unsweetened coconut milk or a creamy oat-based product for the heavy cream to keep it luscious without dairy.
• Add Extra Veggies: Stir in diced carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini for even more color and nutrition—just add them with the potatoes.
• Lighter Version: Use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream for a slightly lighter but still creamy soup.
• Turn Down the Heat: Go all-mild sausage and toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes at the end so you can control the spice perfectly.

How to Make Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup)

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon

Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and toss in the chopped thick-cut bacon. Let it cook, stirring every so often, until it’s perfectly crisp and rendered—this infuses the pot with delicious smoky flavor right from the start. Scoop out the bacon and set it aside (try not to nibble too much!).

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

Next, add in your spicy Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Let it get a deep, golden-brown crust in places—it’s those browned bits that make Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup) truly irresistible. When it’s mostly cooked through, spoon out all but a tablespoon of the fat (it’ll help flavor the onions).

Step 3: Sauté Onion, Oregano & Garlic

Stir in the chopped onion and sprinkle in the oregano. As the onions turn soft and translucent, fragrant with sausage and herbs, add your minced garlic and stir for about a minute, just until everything is dreamy and aromatic.

Step 4: Deglaze & Add Broth

Pour in the chicken broth and use your spoon to scrape up every last brown bit from the bottom of the pot—this is where flavor hides! Don’t rush this step: those caramelized bits give your soup its truly restaurant-worthy taste.

Step 5: Potatoes & Bacon In

Drop in your sliced potatoes and return the crispy bacon to the pot. Give it all a gentle stir, and double-check that your mixture doesn’t go above the Max Fill line inside your Instant Pot (safety first!).

Step 6: Pressure Cook

Cancel Sauté mode, seal the Instant Pot lid, and ensure the steam release knob is set to Sealing. Set for 5 minutes on Manual or Pressure Cook (High Pressure)—it might take a little while to build up pressure, but don’t worry, flavor is happening!

Step 7: Natural & Quick Release

Once the cooking timer finishes, let the Instant Pot rest for 10 minutes for a natural pressure release (NPR). After that, carefully do a controlled quick release for the rest of the steam until the pin drops—now it’s safe to open!

Step 8: Add Kale & Creamy Finish

Stir in your chopped kale (or spinach, if using) and cover. Let it wilt for about 5 minutes so it’s just tender but still vibrantly green. Finally, pour in the cream and stir—your Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup) is officially irresistible and ready to serve!

How to Serve Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup)

Garnishes

I love serving Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup) with a flourish of fresh cracked black pepper, a sprinkle of extra crispy bacon, and a handful of grated Parmesan on top. You can even add a drizzle of olive oil or a pinch of red pepper flakes for an extra pop—it’s all about building layers of flavor and texture right before serving!

Side Dishes

Nothing beats a bowl of this soup with a thick slice of crusty Italian bread (perfect for soaking up the creamy broth). A light, lemony green salad or roasted asparagus are great sides if you want to round out the meal with something crisp and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

Try ladling your Zuppa Toscana into hollowed-out bread bowls for wow-factor comfort. Or serve in oversized mugs with mini toasted grilled cheese “dippers” on the side—this soup is all about casual, cozy gatherings, so feel free to let your presentation show off its soul-warming appeal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup) keeps beautifully! Cool completely, transfer to airtight containers, and store in the fridge for up to 4 days—the flavors actually deepen as it sits, making tomorrow’s lunch even more delicious.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags for up to 3 months. Keep in mind the cream can separate a bit after freezing, but a good stir as you reheat will bring the soup back together—consider adding the cream after thawing for the smoothest texture.

Reheating

Just gently reheat the soup on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until steamy and hot. If the soup thickens, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it to your desired consistency. Avoid boiling so the cream doesn’t separate!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a bowl of pure comfort that still feels just a little bit special, you have to try Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup). It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together and makes you want to go back for “just one more” helping every time—so grab your Instant Pot and cozy up!

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