This healthier twist on classic Zuppa Toscana is insanely delicious, creamy, savory and so cozy during the cold months! It’s packed with all the goodies, is totally dairy-free, paleo, and Whole30 compliant, and even has a low carb keto option.
Zuppa Toscana contains basically every single ingredient I CRAVE so it’s about time I have a recipe for it here! But seriously, this soup is BOMB in all ways.
Even the traditional version is pretty paleo friendly – sausage, bacon, potatoes, kale, broth, and cream. So, aside from switching out the dairy, there’s not a whole lot to change, which is amazing.
Of course to keep it clean (and Whole30 compliant, if needed) you’ll want to choose ingredients that are as unprocessed as possible and without nitrates or sugar added. But, I’ll get to that in a minute! Let’s first dive face first into this soup – it’s too good to wait.
What You’ll Need to Make Paleo Zuppa Toscana
- The ingredients are simple and delicious here. If you’re a fan of sausage, bacon and potatoes, this is truly the soup of your dreams! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bacon (uncured and sugar-free, for Whole30)
- Italian Sausage (homemade or clean store bought)
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Onion
- Garlic
- Potatoes (Mushrooms or Cauliflower for Keto)
- Broth
- Coconut Milk
- Kale
- Sea salt and black pepper
How Can I Make This Zuppa Toscana Keto Friendly?
Yes – absolutely! To keep this soup very low carb and keto, you can swap out the potatoes for mushrooms, cauliflower florets, or another veggie you like that’s low in carbs.
You can also swap out the potatoes for another starchy veggie if white potatoes aren’t your thing. Sweet potatoes, white or Japanese sweet potatoes, carrots, or butternut squash would all work well.
If you are on a keto diet but not Whole30, you might also want to make my low carb biscuits to enjoy with your zuppa Toscana!
A Few FAQs:
I Don’t Like Coconut – Will I Taste the Coconut Milk in the Zuppa Toscana?
I’m not a fan of coconut flavor and I don’t taste it at all in the soup since there are so many other flavors going on. If you’re really sensitive, you can add 1/2 cup of coconut cream and 1/2 cup additional bone broth to cut back on coconut flavor.
Are White Potatoes Paleo?
White potatoes are one of those foods that the Paleo community has been divided on in the past. They are, however, completely Whole30 compliant.
I feel it’s a personal thing – and that goes for so many foods, not just potatoes. I’ve never specifically avoided white potatoes (especially being a runner) but I probably only eat them about once per week. For more info on how potatoes can fit into a paleo diet, read here.
Where Can I Find Whole30 Compliant Bacon and Sausage?
It’s easier now than ever to find compliant bacon and sausage in your local stores. Whole Foods has a couple of brands of compliant bacon (Applegate and Pederson Farms) and Jones Dairy Farm carries both compliant bacon and sausage that you can find in many grocery stores. For online ordering, there are many options such as US Wellness Meats.
I often find that local stores make Italian sausage on premise that is typically compliant since it’s minimally processed. You can always ask what they add if they don’t list ingredients. If finding sausage is a problem, it’s easy to make your own! You can use my recipe here.
How To Save Leftover Zuppa Toscana
This soup tastes even better the next day in my opinion, since the potato starch makes it even creamier and thicker and the flavors have a chance to blend.
You can store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. You can also freeze the soup in a freezer safe container for up to about one month. The coconut milk might separate a little bit, but you’ll be able to whisk it back easily.
I hope you’re ready for a seriously delicious zuppa Toscana that everyone will want on repeat in your house! Grab your stock pot, it’s time to make soup – let’s go!
Zuppa Toscana {Paleo, Whole30, Keto Option}
Zuppa Toscana {Paleo, Whole30, Keto Option}
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon cut into 1” pieces
- 1 lb Sweet or spicy Italian sausage meat homemade* or store bought
- Crushed red pepper to taste
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large Russet potatoes about 1.5 lbs, peeled and cut into 1/2” cubes*
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups chicken stock or bone broth
- 4 cups kale chopped
- 1 cup coconut milk full fat
- Sea Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Heat a large stock pot (cast iron is ideal) over medium high heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook, stirring occasionally to evenly brown, until crisp - about 5-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper-towel lined plate to drain.
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Lower the heat to medium and save the bacon fat in the pot. Add the sausage to the pot and sprinkle with crushed red pepper, if desired. Cook, stirring and breaking up lumps with a spoon, until browed - about 5-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage to a plate to drain. Save the fat in the pot.
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With the heat still over medium, add the onions to the pot and cook until translucent, then add the garlic, stir, and cook another 45 seconds. Add the potatoes to the pot, sprinkle the potatoes, onions, and garlic with sea salt and pepper and stir to coat.
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Add the broth to the pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook until potatoes are fork tender - about 10 minutes. If using mushrooms or cauliflower**, move on to the next step after the broth boils.
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Add the coconut milk to the pot and the sausage, stir cook about 5 minutes to blend flavors. Stir in the kale and cooked bacon, cooking just another minute or so until the kale is wilted and vibrant green. Season the soup with sea salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
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Remove from heat and serve - the soup will thicken as it cools. This soup stores well covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or, you can freeze it for up to one month. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*You can use my recipe for homemade Whole30 sausage patties, if desired
**If you don’t eat potatoes, feel free to sub sweet potatoes here or another root veggie. Or, for a low carb (Keto) option, sub in white mushrooms or cauliflower florets. If using mushrooms or cauliflower, cook time will be reduced in Step #4.
***The recipe for the low barb biscuits pictured can be found here.
Nutrition
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Want More Paleo + Soup Recipes? Try One of These!
Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Low Carb Biscuits
Stuffed Pepper Soup in the Instant Pot
Chicken and “Rice” Soup in the Instant Pot
Butternut Squash Soup with Apples and Bacon
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Delicious soup! I added parsnips instead of potatoes because I’m AIP and some extra coconut cream for creaminess…first time making zuppa toscana and this one’s a winner! Will absolutely make again!
Thanks for this amazing recipe! I found this recipe and I’ve been making it for a couple of years back when my diet required a paleo lifestyle but haven’t gone back to the traditional recipe with heavy cream since. It’s great as it’s written but I’ve made a few alterations to suit my taste. Changes I’ve made: gold potatoes. I use spicy Italian sausage to add more heat and save the crushed pepper for the veggies. Triple the garlic. Separate the kale ribs from the leaf and chop those up small and cook them with the potatoes and onions to add extra crunch but also some bulk. Additionally, I add a half red bell pepper small dice to the potatoes and onions and kale ribs. Lots of extra spices like an “Italian” blend, turmeric, bay leaf BUT these are added while the veggies are sweating in order to really get them flavoring the food. I add the broth a little at a time and mix the veggies and let the starches really thicken and then add the rest of the broth. I also usually double the coconut milk and/or use coconut cream. The soup is more fragrant than if used dairy heavy cream but I wouldn’t say it’s coconut at all. I have tried sweet potatoes instead of gold potatoes but the flavor isn’t right. I have also added carrots but not only was the texture off but it was too sweet. It refrigerates, freezes and reheats way better than if using dairy.
P.S. You really don’t need to add very much salt at all as the bacon and sausage have a lot of salt that comes through.
“Save the fat in the pot” do you mean use it?
It was delicious and satisfying thank you for sharing!
This was amazing! Better than Olive Gardens! Highly recommend this!
I am not even paleo anymore, but I love this recipe. Every time I open a can of coconut milk and have half a can left, I plan to make this soup. Lots of veggies, and creamy goodness.
Finally, another W30 soup that is actually filling! Thanks!
We have been making this soup for years using your recipe and it is the best. We eat it often in the fall and winter, make it for guests and everyone raves about how delicious it is.
I was skeptical (as I am with all recipes I find on the internet), but I was pleasantly surprised! I made this as instructed (aside from adding a whole can of coconut milk because I was moving too fast) and it was amazing!!! I used Italian sausage and added the red pepper flakes; the little bit of heat was so tasty. Next time I make it and the kids aren’t eating it I’ll definitely use spicy sausage.
My husband and I ate in silence–not because we had nothing to say, but because we enjoyed it so much and savored every bite. Only breaking the silence to repeat over and over, “This is so good!” Thank you for another wonderful, and healthy, recipe. I subbed mushrooms instead of potatoes for Keto, and added cornbread for my husband to soak up the broth.