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This super simple Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana is the perfect cold-weather dinner…great for nights when I’m craving Italian, but want something warming too. Spicy Italian chicken sausage simmered in a creamy basil pesto broth with potatoes, kale, a little lemon, and even a little bacon. Finish each bowl off with a sprinkle of cheese and serve with crusty bread. It’s hearty, full of greens, and so delicious. Great for just about any night of the week. And the leftovers the next day make for the best lunch!
This Italian soup is a recipe I’ve been wanting to create for a while now. I’m not sure what took me so long to test this out, but I’m so happy I finally did, because wow, this is hands down a new family favorite.
Technically this is soup, but it’s definitely hearty enough to serve for dinner on these cold November nights (it’s been snowing here since yesterday…and I could not be happier about it). But the best part? This is SO EASY.
I worked with my Instant Pot to create this creamy soup in just about 30 minutes. I’m sure you guys have noticed, but I’ve been loving my Instant Pot this fall. I’ve found it so useful during this insanely busy time with the launch of HBH Super Simple and all things holiday 2019. It’s really been a lifesaver and I’ve already remade this soup three times since returning home from Chicago last week.
The backstory…
As with a lot of recipes, this idea came from my brother. This time though? It was my oldest brother, Creighton.
He was telling me about one of his favorite soups that he used to get at the Olive Garden – Zuppa Toscana. I’d never heard of it, so of course, I did a little Googling and discovered that the recipe actually sounds quite delicious. A lot of times Creighton can throw some rather interesting recipes at me, but this soup was one I knew I needed to put my own spin on. It took me a while to finally create the recipe, but here it is, and I think you’ll find it’s delicious.
And yes, it’s inspired by the Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden…next up…their breadsticks.
The Details…
As you might guess, this recipe is pretty straightforward and simple.
Start with your Instant Pot on sauté and cook off the bacon. Then add in spicy Italian sausage (I always prefer to use chicken sausage, but pork sausage is great too). Next add in some onions, garlic, celery, and all the usuals.
The key to a good Zuppa Toscana is the spicy sausage and the potatoes. Once you add in the potatoes, stir in some basil pesto. This may not be traditional but it really adds so much to this hearty soup. I’ve found that both the addition of pesto and fresh lemon really lighten things up and truly enhance the Italian flavors.
At this point, simply seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure…just eight minutes. Then release the steam using the quick release.
Once the base has finished cooking, simply stir in some cream, parmesan, and kale.
And that’s it, just 30 minutes later you’ll have a creamy bowl of classic Italian soup. AND, you’ll have only used ONE pot and likely made very little mess. Oh, and be sure to have extra parmesan, fresh thyme, and crusty bread for serving. They really do complete the soup.
See, Super Simple yet so much flavor. This will be great for serving guests over the holidays, or just your family on a cold night. The leftovers reheat well and are delicious the following day for lunch or dinner. I haven’t had a chance to serve this to Creighton just yet, but I know that once he arrives on Friday he’ll be begging me for it. So yes, I will be making this yet again. No complaining here though…love this soup!
Looking for other warming HBH soups? Check out the soup section on HBH’s recipe page.
If you make this Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana.
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 487 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
- 3/4 pound ground spicy Italian chicken sausage
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 4 small yukon gold or russet potatoes peeled and chopped
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 bunch Tuscan or curly kale, roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan or asiago cheese
- fresh thyme, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Instant Pot
- 1. Set Instant Pot to sauté. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon. Add the chicken sausage and onions, and brown all over, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, celery, and potatoes, and cook 2 minutes. Turn the Instant Pot off.2. To the instant pot, add the broth, pesto, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.3. Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release function. Set the Instant Pot to sauté. Stir in the kale, cream, and parmesan. Cook until the kale is wilted, about 10 minutes. Turn the Instant Pot off. Stir in the reserved bacon.4. Serve the soup topped with additional parmesan and fresh thyme, if desired.
Stove-Top
- 1. Cook the bacon in a large soup pot set over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon. Add the chicken sausage and onions, and brown all over, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, celery, and potatoes, and cook 2 minutes. Add the broth, pesto, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. 2. Stir in the kale, cream, and parmesan. Cook until the kale is wilted, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the reserved bacon. 3. Serve the soup topped with additional parmesan and fresh thyme, if desired.
Slow Cooker
- 1. Cook the bacon in a large soup pot set over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon. If there's excess bacon grease, drain off all but 1 tablespoon. Add the chicken sausage and onions, and brown all over, about 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken sausage to the bowl of your crockpot. 2. To the crockpot, add the the garlic, celery, potatoes, broth, pesto, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5. 2. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the kale, cream, and parmesan. Turn the heat to high and cook until the kale is wilted. Stir in the reserved bacon. 4. Serve the soup topped with additional parmesan and fresh thyme, if desired.
{This post is sponsored by Instant Pot. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Half Baked Harvest cooking!}
This post was originally published on November 21, 2019
Would you be able to double the recipe and still make it in a 6 qt IP? I’m guessing no… But I’d love to have this to eat all week!
HI!! I don’t recommend doubling the recipe. I think it would overflow in your instant pot. I would instead make 2 batches, keeping one on the stove after cooking while you make the other batch. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
This soup is AMAZING. The flavors are so delicious and honestly even better and more flavorful the next day! I’ll definitely be making this again and again. Also, I made it on the stovetop rather than Instant Pot just because I was in the mood to cook-cook but I love that you give three different options!!
Thank you so much Caroline! I am so glad you enjoyed this soup! xTieghan
Just made this – wow, it’s delicious; definitely a keeper. The spice really kicks it up a notch or three.
Thank you Susan! I am so glad you loved this recipe! xTieghan
This was so good! My husband is raving about it! I love that I was able to use the Sauté feature on the Instant Pot as well! Such a great meal!
Yes! So glad you loved this Sunday! Thank you! xTieghan
Made this tonight for dinner. It was delicious! And it was super easy to put together.
I am so glad it turned out so well Corie! Thank you! xTieghan
I am dying to make this!! I have an 8qt Instant Pot. Do you think I could double this recipe to make for a larger crowd?
Hey Gretchen, I don’t recommend double the recipe. I think it would overflow in your instant pot. I would instead make 2 batches, keeping one on the stove after cooking while you make the other batch. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
Hi! For a low carb option, would you replace with either turnips or parsnips? Thanks!!
Hi Maggie, I would use parsnips. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
this was fantastic! I used peppered turkey bacon.
Thank you Jo! xTieghan
I made this tonight!! It was so easy and sooooo delicious! A new favorite! Thanks so much!
That is so great to hear! Thank you so much Tracy! xTieghan
Delicious! Such full flavor!
Thank you Mary! xTieghan
I made this tonight. I added carrots but did everything else as recipe said. Absolutely delicious. My husband had two bowls of it. I am going to use this as one of my Christmas Eve soups this year. A real winner!
That is so great! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
I love your recipes
Thank you! xTieghan
MAKE THIS SOUP!!! Seriously, you won’t be sorry you did. I am a huge fan of normal Zuppa Toscana. It’s a winter staple in our house. But HOLY MOLY. This soup is on a whole other level. Between my mom, sister and I…this soup has been made 4 times in the span of one week. It’s that good y’all!
Hi Hannah! That is so amazing! I am so glad you all have been loving this! xTieghan
Taste was great. It took me more like an hour to make this. Not 30 min so deducting a star. My whole family liked it.
Hi Heather! I am so glad you all enjoyed this recipe! Sorry it took a bit longer than expected! xTieghan
Tieghan this soup is the bomb!!! Made it via Instant Pot ~ so flavorful! I did not peel the Yukon Gold potatoes ~ no impact at all.
I would use a bit more crushed pepper next time.
The 2 unique flavor bombs are definitely the lemon juice and pesto!!
Thank you for always inspiring me! BTW it’s snowing here in New England – perfect for this soup!
I am so glad this turned out so well for you Barb! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan